With the ever growing presence of iPhones and iPads in the small business arsenal of business tools it is great to see Govt. embracing their use and developing applications for them that provide real assistance to small business (usually its the hindrance of the ever expanding rules, regulation and red tape).

Click on MyBizShield to go to the business.gov.au site where they introduce an iPad (not for iPhone the screen is too small) App designed to assist you in preparing a Business Disaster and Recovery Plan.

The App covers all major facets of assessing the disasters that could befall your business:

  • Risk Management
  • Scenario Planning
  • Insurance
  • Property & Infrastructure
  • Temporary Office Accommodation
  • Business Continuity Strategies
  • Key Personnel Training
  • Skill Retention Strategies
  • Data Security and Backup Strategies
  • Environmental Resilience

Minimisation of the impacts of disaster by being prepared for action:

  • Emergency Contacts
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Evacuation Drill Schedule
  • Emergency Kit Location
  • Emergency Kit Contents
  • Emergency Team

And recovery procedures:

  • Business Impact assessment
  • Recovery Contacts
  • Insurance Claims
  • Market Assessment
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Current creditors
  • Current Debtors
  • Government Funding
  • Expected Cash Flow

It is intuitive to use and results in a plan in HTML format that can easily be stored electronically for future amendment and printed for quick reference.

Whilst we all understand that disasters can occur the mere fact that they are rare within our experience tends to put planning into the "someday" basket. Combined with the all-encompassing "too much to do not enough time to do it in" syndrome that bewitches small business into little if any planning most small businesses are vulnerable to disaster.

If you download the App and take a couple of hours following all the steps applicable to your business and then communicating the plan to your team you will have spent time working ON your business in a way that may one day save your business and save you a great deal of heartache !

If you don't have an iPad give us a call and we can help you develop the plan. And seriously, get one - they are a tremendous tool!