Three Hurricanes Loom - Don't forget to prepare your home office

Margate, Florida September 2008 – As many prepare their homes for the triple threat of hurricanes, it’s important to remember that you need to protect your business as well. The difference between being prepared and waiting until the last minute, could mean not only the loss of your important client and business files, but also work done now and in the past. Your clients rely on you to keep your business up and running, so you need to make sure you do everything possible to do just that.

That’s why home-business owners Diana Ennen and Patty Gale decided that they should have an emergency plan for their home office. As a resident of South Florida, Ennen has prepared for numerous hurricanes, including a direct hit from Hurricane Wilma. Gale lived in New York after 9/11 and had the task of preparing a similar guideline for a company she was working with at the time. Both now the importance this guide can make in ensuring your business will withstand whatever this hurricane or any disaster (including a theft in the office or fire) has to offer.
They also felt it would benefit others as well, especially in times like this. They created a downloadable guide, The Home Office Recovery Plan: Disaster Preparedness for Your Home Business to teach others how to ensure the survival of their home office in the event of an emergency. A sample copy is available at http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com/

Emergency plans are not only for big businesses, but small ‘mom & pop stores,’ home offices as well. The guide is divided into a number of important sections:

• An administrative section to track all of the important information about you and your company. This will help you keep track of all your clients as well.

• An inventory you will prepare of your office (including supplies, equipment, software and contacts). Steps to make sure you have access to your vital information.

• Insurance information for all types, business, medical, etc;

• Business Continuity Plan – describe how you plan on keeping your business operating.

• Family information. Complete contact information so you can get in touch with people after the storm. Where family members plan to meet. Medical information. Where you will go in case of an emergency, etc.?

• Also, a hurricane/tornado/storm preparation section. This can perhaps be the most important section What foods and supplies do you need? How you can prepare those foods without electricity. If you have kids, what extra precautions do you need?

Now is the time to prepare. Stop by http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com/ to learn valuable tips as well as get your free sample copy of the Home Office Recovery Plan. Plan today for a safer tomorrow.