Business continuity

Wakefield Council promotes Business Continuity Management to commercial and voluntary organisations within the District.

Business continuity can help your business to develop documented plans on how to maintain 'business as usual' in the event of a significant disruption. The business continuity process identifies the essential functions within your organisation and considers how these functions would continue to operate.

Consider the following questions:

• how long could we cope if there was a power cut or the phones went dead?
• what if an incident prevented delivery to a key customer?
• how would a major incident affect the morale of staff?
• how would serious damage to my premises affect my business?

Business continuity may involve making contingency plans for the sudden loss or unavailability of:

• work sites
• staff and skills
• suppliers and partners
• specialist equipment
• technology and communications
• data
• information
• utilities

Please note, this list is not exhaustive and there may be other risks which are specific to your organisation.

Considering business continuity early on, rather than when an incident occurs, will help prepare you to return to 'business as usual' in the shortest possible time.

Advanced planning helps your business to:

• reduce the potential for financial loss
• maintain a good reputation
• improve staff confidence
• avoid negative publicity