Business Continuity in the Face of Coronavirus
Failure to prepare is preparing to fail. Carbon is not suggesting panic or irrationality. As usual, Carbon is preaching a thoughtful approach and a measured resolve. There are however, some harsh realities to face in our current global situation.
Nearly a decade ago, the American Red Cross conducted a multiyear survey and concluded that “as many as 40 percent of small businesses do not reopen after a major disaster like a flood, tornado, or earthquake.” Well what about a global pandemic? How many businesses are prepared to weather this storm?
While the health and safety of all our customers is a top priority, so is the health and vitality of the many vibrant and dynamic businesses and educational institutions we support. Over the years, Carbon has worked with many of our customers to prepare for continuity of operations in the face of adversity. If you have not considered your business response to the current situation, please contact your Carbon support representative, sales contact, or our Help Desk to review your readiness.
Carbon has worked hard to provide customers with flexible and accessible environments. This is the time to test your remote connectivity capabilities. Confirm that members of your team can access your business workflows from home. Test remote work sessions to discover any gaps in your workflows. Identify workflows that must change because people will not be at the next desk or down the hall. Communication is key. Be clear. Be communicative. Validate your response before a response is too late.
As this situation evolves, embrace facts and science, not talking points and pundits. The Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization provide exceptional resources to understand the risks, responses, and mitigation strategies to stay healthy. This is a time to work cooperatively for the good of your coworkers, your community, and beyond.
If you are sick, stay home. Be considerate of others. Human behavior is as great of a contributor to the spread of disease as disease itself. Our fast paced culture expects us to “push through” illness. This is not the time to “push through.” Please alert Carbon if illness is detected in your workplace. Remember, Carbon gets around. Help us help all of our customers by communicating concerns and reducing the risk of prolonging the propagation of this disease.
Let’s work together to make sure that when this all comes to a close, everyone is healthy and businesses are strong.
Additional Resources
Center for Disease Control - Coronavirus