Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/340625
July 2014 | Construction Equipment Distribution | www.cedmag.com | 47 Business Recovery your business. Then, plan backwards from this worst-case scenario. "This will help you determine what level of protection and investment you need to make in order to keep your business viable," said Nelson. "That is, you can decide what people, equipment, loca- tions and supplies you may require in order to maintain operations at a diminished, but acceptable, level of service for your company." Employees Prepare your employees. "A lot of small business owners may create disaster plans, but don't bother to include the employees in the creation of the plans," said Boyd. "In addition, many of them don't even explain the plans to the employees after they have been created." You need to train employees on what you expect them to do and what they should not do. You also need to get their input in the creation of the plans in the first place. "For example," he said, "you may decide that you want employees to work from home after a disaster, but by including them in the planning, they may explain some reasons why this wouldn't work." Testing Once you have plans in place, test them (or at least the portions of them that can be tested) in advance. "You will always find things that don't work as expected when you first test them," said Boyd. This gives you the opportu- nity to modify and/or replace the plans. Insurance Sit down with your insurance broker or agent at least once a year to verify what kind of coverage you have. "Be sure you are covered for equipment, premises, content, liabilities, and business inter- ruption," said Nelson. "Do not assume that your insurance coverage addresses everything. Talk with your broker about what is covered and what is not covered. Then make a business decision as to whether you want to add some cover- ages that are currently not in place, or whether you are comfortable with the risks associated with these exclusions." "As a result of Hurricane Sandy, I think there will be lawsuits for the next 10 years," said Boyd. "People thought they had coverage, but insurance companies came back and said things like, 'Your damage was caused by water, and you don't have flood insurance,' or 'Your damage was caused by a windstorm, and you don't have wind coverage.'" Meeting with your broker or agent is also a good opportunity to update your insurance provider on changes and expansions in your business to make sure that you will have coverage for those changes and expansions. BILL ATKINSON is a freelance writer based in Southern Illinois. He can be reached at w.atkinson@mchsi.com. ï /DUJH &RPSUHKHQVLYH/LQHRI6WUHHW6ZHHSHUV ï 8QLTXH 7LPH3URYHQ'HVLJQV ï 1R&'/5HTXLUHGIRU0RGHOV ï 6LJQLĆFDQW3URGXFW'LIIHUHQWLDWLRQ 3URĆW0DUJLQV ï 8QVXUSDVVHG'HDOHU6XSSRUW6\VWHP ())(&7,9(/<6,03/( ())(&7,9(/<6,03/( :HOFRPLQJ1HZ'HDOHUV IRU6HOHFW7HUULWRULHV &DOO-RKQIRUPRUHLQIR_ZZZVWHZDUWDPRVFRP