Media Release 6 September 2010

Earthquake Aftermath Shows That Every Business Needs a B.E.R.P

Many business owners will be worrying about what to do next, in the face of destroyed buildings and workplaces.

One of New Zealand’s leading business consultancies says there are some simple strategies that businesses should consider to get them back on track, and is recommending an approach that parallels a normal disaster plan.

Christchurch based Profuzion Consulting has developed a Business Emergency Response Plan (B.E.R.P) based on director Hoani's Hipango's experience working in emergency relief zones as Commanding Officer and Squadron Leader in the Navy and Airforce.

“For the next business day or two, it will be imperative that businesses co-ordinate, communicate and connect with their people (staff) to provide confidence, certainty and direction,” says Hipango.

He says just as Civil Defence has protocols and systems in place, it is essential business owners have considered and structured protocols, systems and strategies established to manage business response and recovery.

“If a business has not had a plan in place for an event like this, it is not too late to be strategic,” says Hipango. “Making decisions in this kind of environment is hard at the best of times but with many businesses already under stress because of the flat economy, the earthquake will have added even more stress and pressure making decision making even more difficult,” he says.

Hipango says business owners and CEO’s should not be reticent in asking for help and assistance.

“I am saying this because it is true, not to drum up business,” he says. “We are committed to helping people during this challenged period and are offering some critical advice to business owners,” he says.

Hipango says it is easy to react in unstructured ways after something of this magnitude but the processes to respond and recover must be deliberate, considered and structured.

“There will be some very difficult times over the next few months so the 4 R's (reduction / readiness / response / recovery) from a business context is critical. One simple way businesses can help themselves is by accessing key websites such as the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce and Civil Defence websites. The information on these sites is important and needs to be understood by business and staff,” he says.

Being ex military, Hipango believes his experience has provided him with a structured thinking approach and an understanding of timeframes and planning.

“In times like this deliberate calm is required, particularly for business owners in Canterbury, for whom the business landscape has now altered, in many cases literally speaking as well as figuratively,” he says.

ENDS

www.profuzion.biz

Key websites:

Department of Labour www.dol.govt.nz/quake2010/

Civil Defence www.civildefence.govt.nz/memwebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Being-Prepared-Businesses-Index?OpenDocument

Civil Defence www.civildefence.govt.nz/memwebsite.nsf

Here’s another link from the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce: www.cecc.org.nz/main/blog-detail/index.cfm/articleId/1801/ then link to the Information Sheet http://www.cecc.org.nz/main/earth_quake_info/

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