Will Your Business be Ready when Disaster Strikes?

In today’s globalized world, it’s all too easy to imagine disaster striking at the heart of your business. Take a moment to mull over some of the scares we’ve had recently that could derail your business. Last year, Computer Weekly reported on the distinct chance that we could see a new flu pandemic. Global terrorism in the summer of 2016 targeted two-dozen different countries, including the US. Flooding destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in Louisiana. And wildfires are still ravaging parts of California.



With all these disasters or potential disaster hitting businesses in the US, what can they do to ensure continuity?

David Van Allen is the VP of operations at INetU. He’s an expert in disaster recovery and planning. But he has some rather unusual advice for businesses contemplating disaster. This is what he says:

Don’t Just Focus On the Technological Side of The Business

When we think about business continuity, we typically think about keeping IT systems up and running. But unless your business is entirely on the blockchain, it’s likely it still has some physical component. Van Allen reminds businesses that they need to think about what would happen if there was a non-technological problem. Sure, their businesses might operate over the cloud. But they still need office space for people to be able to do their work. If there was a fire, does the business have a fire damage restoration plan? What if workers all got ill, thanks to a pandemic? How would the business cope with only a skeleton crew? Van Allen recommends that businesses spend a few days thinking through disasters that could hit things other than their IT. He suggests starting simple and going from there.

Does Your Startup Need a Financial Advisor?

Starting a new business is always exciting. The economy is growing at a steady rate, which means your startup is enjoying more businesses and getting bigger by the day. At some point, however, you may need to start thinking about your startup’s finances and whether you need a financial advisor.

So, does your startup need a financial advisor? The answer is most definitely a big YES. We are going to take a look at how an experienced financial advisor can help your startup grow at a healthy rate and reach new heights.

Set Goals and Priorities

One of the first things a financial advisor can help your startup with is setting goals. Where do you see your business in five years’ time? Do you have plans to branch out to other industries? What will your investments focus on? These questions are often too difficult to answer yourself. To have a sound set of goals to aim for, talking to a financial advisor is the way to go.

5 Types of Insurance Small Business Owners Must Consider

Small businesses contribute greatly to a country’s economy. In the U.S., for instance, data from the U.S. Census Bureau showed that the number of small businesses has risen by 49 percent since 1982. Today, many individuals and groups continue to set up businesses targeting the local and international market.

Starting a business of any type requires the proper legal documents and insurance to ensure that everything is legitimate and your business is protected from various risks.

Being knowledgeable about the different types of insurance is a must. Here are 10 of them you need to consider regardless of the size of your business.

General Liability

A general liability insurance will protect your business whether you are operating a physical store or one based at home. This policy will provide coverage in the event your employees, products or services cause physical harm to a third party. It can also be applied to any property damage to a third party.

Property Insurance

Apart from your business and employees, you also need to protect your building and other property inside it. These include your computers, office equipment, tools and inventory which should be covered by a property insurance policy in the event of theft, fire and vandalism.