This week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced stricter measures to help curb the rise in Coronavirus infections by extending unprecedented restrictions on travel, public events and social interaction. No one can predict the full impact or duration of the Coronavirus pandemic in Australia or across the globe, but with decisive leadership and sound management structures in place, most organisations will be able to survive these testing times.
Q. What can you do now to prepare for the business challenges ahead?
A. Establish a Critical Incident Management Team immediately.
A Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) provides a whole-of-organisation response to an emergency or incident to ensure critical business functions are maintained and brand reputation protected during a crisis period. Using the Coronavirus pandemic as an example, a CIMT would manage the 8 most critical steps:
Create a Business Continuity Management plan with input from key business units to maintain critical business functions and engage with staff across the organisation essential to driving organisational performance. Representatives from each business unit should meet regularly to ensure critical business functions are maintained and CIMT are fully informed of impacts to business and staff.
Develop a prevention plan to reduce the likelihood of further infection (elevate on-site cleaning standards and sanitation, reduce person-to-person contact, work from home flexibility, limit external visitors to site).
Develop and implement an infection reporting/escalation process ensuring staff wellness & safety.
Isolate or rotate staff with work from home capability and flexibility.
Approve internal communication plans to inform and update staff of preventative actions, responses and next steps.
Approve external communication plans to engage with customers, suppliers, industry and key stakeholders.
Develop strategies to maintain business continuity and adapt to changing conditions ahead.
Review media updates, government policy, industry/regulatory responses, risk and safety standards to ensure suitable response to any increase in the pandemic emergency.
At Crisis Shield, we work on risk management, crisis planning and communication strategies focussed on protecting staff, customers, stakeholder relationships and profitability as risk profiles rapidly change around us.
We have a qualified and highly trained team ready to take you through our proven crisis management plans to ensure business continuity.
For a confidential chat, please call Allan Briggs, CEO, Crisis Shield (0417 160 120) to see how we can help prepare and protect your business in these challenging times ahead.