SmartPulse — our weekly nonscientific reader poll in SmartBrief on Small Business — tracks feedback from small-business owners. We run the poll question each Thursday in our e-newsletter.
Two weeks ago, we asked: What happened to your business during Hurricane Irene?
- Nothing, because we were nowhere near where it hit: 78.65%
- We had to close during the storm but opened after: 14.61%
- We had to remain closed after the storm: 3.37%
- We were far away but had problems with some of our suppliers: 3.37%
While the majority of us weren’t affected by Hurricane Irene, it was a good reminder for businesses to be prepared. Every businesses is susceptible to natural disasters — or being affected because a big client or major supplier has operations shaken by one. This is the time to dust off your emergency manuals and make sure everyone knows what do to and when to do it. Your business depends on it.
Sharlyn Lauby is the HR Bartender and president of ITM Group.