Plan B's with Technology

Having a plan B when it comes to technology

     Planning around technology is like trying to predict the future of a two year old. No matter how hard you try, you cannot get them to obey orders and recognize why you know best. Alas, having a back up to your back up plan is important to alleviate the pain when your business is inevitably interrupted. Most things are beyond our control but we must plan for them like we have some semblance of what needs to be done.

     Outside third party issues are nerve racking, a blizzard in Minnesota knocks out a satellite dish and now you don’t have internet in Southern California. A fuse blows in Texas and your phone calls won’t go through to your neighbor down the street. Both actual reasons why your business can be affected and you can’t do anything about it. Understanding the problem is the first step to getting past the issue.

     How long will the satellite be out? How long until the fuse gets changed? Find out and be honest with your clients about the problem. And even though it may not be your fault, take responsibility for it and reach a mutual understanding with the clients and the delay in helping them. Most clients will completely understand and for the ones that don’t you may have done yourself a favor in letting them go because they may be more trouble down the road.

     Take the time to set up a backup plan and back up your data in either the Cloud or some other alternative. Keeping valuable information secure in multiple locations will help if your main office gets destroyed and/or catches on fire. Connect your cell phone to your office lines and know how to forward calls anonymously before something happens to your provider.

     Whatever you have to prepare for, make sure you do prepare ahead of time. It doesn’t matter if your business is two years old or twenty you need to have a Plan B and C in case A is interrupted. And remember, it may not be your fault but it is your problem so be prepared so you don’t take your eyes and goals off taking your business Up One Level.