Bulletproof Your Business: Mastering Continuity in Crisis, with Erika Andresen

Send us Fan MailThe unexpected happens—platforms crash, power fails, key equipment breaks down. Is your business prepared to keep functioning when disaster strikes? In this eye-opening conversation with business continuity expert Erika Andresen, we explore the critical yet often overlooked practices that keep businesses operational through any disruption.Erika, a certified business continuity professional, former lawyer, and emergency management professor, reveals why small businesses are particularly vulnerable to disruptions despite being the backbone of community resilience. She shares compelling stories of business owners caught unprepared. These cautionary tales highlight how seemingly small dependencies can create devastating single points of failure.We dive deep into practical approaches for identifying vulnerabilities in your business operations, from social media dependencies to supply chain fragility. Erika explains that while large corporations have robust continuity teams, small businesses can achieve significant protection with thoughtful planning and backup systems. Her firsthand experience surviving Hurricane Helene without power, internet, or cell service for days provides sobering insights into how quickly cascading failures can impact even the best-laid plans.Most valuable is Erika's practical framework for developing your own continuity strategy: aim for an 80% solution by methodically examining every aspect of your business and asking, "If this disappeared tomorrow, how would we continue?" The difference between hoping disasters won't happen and having concrete contingencies can determine whether your business survives or thrives through unexpected challenges.Connect with Erika:www.eaasc.comTake the Business Readiness Assessment is at the bottom of the page:Check out Erika's book:https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Kill-Your-Business/dp/199018538XFollow Erika on socials:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dontkillyourbusiness/TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@dontkillyourbusinessLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/eaas-consulting-llc/Support the showGot a question about something you heard today? Have a great suggestion for a topic or know someone who should be a guest? Reach out to us:[email protected] you're ready to take the plunge and join the over 3 million people who have joined the podcast space, we'd love to hear your idea and help you get started! Book your Podcast Strategy Session today:https://podcastsolutionsmadesimple.com/get-started/Never miss an episode! Subscribe wherever you get your podcast by clicking here:https://communicationconnectioncommunity.buzzsprout.comFollow us on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/podcast-solutions-made-simpleFollow us on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/podcastsolutionsmadesimple/Follow us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/groups/podcastlaunchmadesimpleFollow us on Twitter:https://twitter.com/carlrichards72