Value

All business activity can be subject to temporary or permanent disruption, through accident, loss of employees, facilities or suppliers, technology failure, terrorism, utility disruption, etc. We all probably still feel remote from terrorism although it is an increasing concern. Also consider what could happen if a key member of your team became unavailable for a month, two months …. or permanently.

The consequences of an incident vary and can be far reaching. They might involve loss of life, assets or income, or the inability to deliver products and services on which the organisation’s strategy, reputation or even survival depend.

Managers and owners have a responsibility to maintain the ability of their organisations to function without disruption; to meet contractual requirements, moral and social responsibilities, or statutory and regulatory requirements.

Business Continuity Management should therefore be seen as activity that adds value to an organisation, through, inter alia:

• ensuring an effective response to disruptions which minimises the impact on the organisation, financial and otherwise
• maintaining an ability to manage uninsured risks
• offering the potential to reduce insurance premiums
• ensuring that reputation and business are not lost during an incident
• gaining competitive advantage by being able to demonstrate the ability to maintain delivery
• being able to take advantage of opportunities carrying a high risk.

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