5 Trends to Consider When Creating a Business Continuity Plan

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A robust business continuity plan isn’t just a best practice – it’s a necessity. Here are five trends to consider when creating a business continuity plan.

September is National Preparedness Month. That means it’s an excellent time for businesses to evaluate and update their business continuity plans (BCPs). In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable world, a robust BCP isn’t just a best practice – it’s a necessity. And it’s more than the ever-evolving environmental risks. To ensure that businesses can withstand and recover from disruptions, BCPs also need to reflect how the business operates today and what employees need and can expect in the face of a disruptive event. Here are five trends to consider when creating a business continuity plan, along with the critical skills needed to navigate these challenges.

1. Explicit Commitments to Physical Safety as Part of Employee Benefits

In recent years, there has been a significant shift in how employers view their responsibilities toward employee safety. What was once limited to basic health insurance has now expanded into comprehensive safety commitments. These include measures like enhanced workplace security, emergency preparedness training, and even, according to a recent Harvard Business Review (HBR) article, provisions for workers’ physical safety.

KEY SKILLS:
To actively address this trend, HR and business leaders will need to proficiently craft and communicate new policies that outline what they can (and cannot) offer in the event of a natural disaster or other business disruption. If yours is a small, localized business, you may be able to offer shelter, energy, or provisions when disaster strikes. For more geographically dispersed workforces, you may offer paid time off or monetary benefits to those who experience hardship. “Subsidies for short-term housing, relocation assistance, disaster-related leave, or stipends for specialized safety equipment,” are benefits options described in the HBR article.

Your HR leaders and communications teams may work together to proactively roll out the new policies to existing workers – and to promote to potential employees. Skills in change management and employee engagement are critical here, as leaders need to navigate the challenges of introducing new safety protocols and ensuring they are adopted across the organization.

When there is a disruption, the response team will need to be prepared and skilled to respond in alignment with your policies.

2. Geographically Distributed Workforces with Remote and Hybrid Work Environments

The rise of remote and hybrid work has fundamentally changed the dynamics of the workforce. Employees can now work from virtually anywhere, which presents unique challenges in business continuity planning. When a disaster strikes, employees may be spread across different regions, each facing distinct risks and challenges.

KEY SKILLS:
Effective coordination and communication skills are paramount in this scenario. Be sure your leaders can reach and support your employees, regardless of their location. This requires familiarity with digital communication tools and platforms that can disseminate information quickly and reliably. Additionally, understanding the nuances of managing remote teams, such as ensuring engagement and maintaining morale during crises, is crucial.

Your leaders and response teams must also be skilled in crisis management. The ability to make swift decisions, allocate resources effectively, and provide clear direction is essential when managing a geographically dispersed team during an emergency. This often requires cross-functional collaboration, as different departments may need to work together to address the unique challenges posed by remote and hybrid work environments.

3. Flexible Work Schedules and the Challenge of Timely Communication

The norm of flexible work schedules adds another layer of complexity to business continuity planning and disaster response. With employees working varied hours, there’s a risk that critical communications may not reach everyone in a timely manner. This delay can hinder response efforts and leave some employees without the information they need when they need it to stay safe or respond quickly.

KEY SKILLS:
To tackle this challenge, HR and business leaders need to hone their skills in strategic communication planning. Your team may need to create a communication strategy that accounts for different time zones, work schedules, and communication preferences. Mastering communications through multiple channels – such as email, SMS, and emergency notification systems – can help ensure that messages are delivered and received promptly.

Additionally, leaders should focus on building a culture of readiness. This means regularly testing communication protocols and ensuring that all employees are aware of how they will be contacted in the event of an emergency. Training in crisis communication and scenario planning can also help your team prepare for potential communication challenges and develop contingency plans.

4. Increased Dependency on Digital Infrastructure

As businesses continue to embrace digital tools and cloud-based platforms, the dependency on digital infrastructure has never been greater. This reliance means that disruptions to IT systems—whether due to cyberattacks, power outages, or other disasters—can have a significant impact on business operations.

KEY SKILLS:
Digital literacy and cybersecurity expertise is essential in this context. Be sure your teams are trained in basic cybersecurity best practices, such as recognizing phishing attempts and securing personal devices. Additionally, be sure your IT leaders are skilled in developing and implementing disaster recovery plans that can restore critical systems quickly in the event of a disruption.

Understanding the principles of digital resilience is also crucial. This involves not only protecting systems from attacks but also ensuring that they can withstand and recover from disruptions. Your technology leaders should be skilled at risk management, IT governance, and business continuity planning to build a resilient digital infrastructure that will support your business operations, even during crises.

5. Emphasis on Mental Health and Well-being

A growing recognition of the importance of mental health has led to an increased emphasis on supporting employees’ well-being, especially during and after a disaster. Stress, anxiety, and trauma can significantly impact employee productivity and morale, making it essential to include mental health considerations in business continuity planning.

KEY SKILLS:
To support mental health, leaders need to develop skills in empathy and emotional intelligence. These skills allow your HR and business leaders and managers to recognize when employees are struggling and to provide appropriate support, whether through access to mental health resources or simply by offering a listening ear. Basic training in mental health, first aid, and crisis intervention can also equip your leaders to respond effectively when employees are in distress.

Building a culture of well-being is another critical skill. This involves promoting work-life balance, encouraging the use of mental health resources, and creating an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their mental health needs. Be sure your leaders are aware of the potential long-term impacts of disasters on mental health and develop strategies for supporting employees (and managers and leaders) in the aftermath of a crisis.

Updating or creating a business continuity plan is not just about preparing for the worst. It’s about building resilience into the fabric of your organization. By considering these five trends and developing the necessary skills to address the challenges they present, your team can help ensure that your organization is ready to face whatever comes your way. National Preparedness Month is the perfect time to take a closer look at your BCP and make the necessary adjustments to protect your people, your operations, and your future.

If you are reviewing and updating your BCP – and eager to build the skills your leaders and workforce need for resilience, download our Competency Management Toolkit for inspiration and practical steps. Or contact us to see if Avilar’s WebMentor Skills™ can support your initiative.

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