Business Continuity Insights with Erika Andresen: Lessons from Hurricane Helene

Business Continuity Insights with Erika Andresen: Lessons from Hurricane HeleneIn this episode, Erika Andresen, a recognized business continuity expert, discusses the critical importance of preparedness for businesses, sharing insights from her latest books and experiences, including the response to Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina. Key topics include the role of risk management, the limitations of relying solely on insurance, and practical steps for businesses to implement effective continuity planning. Erika also touches upon the psychological impacts of disasters, the importance of mental health in emergency management, and offers valuable advice for small and medium-sized enterprises to bolster their resilience.Timestamps01:00 Introduction to Erika Andresen02:03 Hurricane Helene's Impact on Asheville06:01 Recovery Efforts in Asheville08:56 Lessons Learned from Hurricane Helene15:37 The Importance of Business Continuity31:21 Erika's Final ThoughtsAboutErika Andresen, JD, CBCP, MPA, is a recognized expert and consultant in Business Continuity. She has nearly two decades of experience as a lawyer in both the corporate finance world and the military. Erika became a subject matter expert in national security and disaster preparedness and response while advising different commands including during high-risk situations while deployed in Afghanistan. Erika left active duty in 2020 and started EaaS Consulting, LLC, with the goal of keeping businesses in business. Erika is also a professor of emergency management for the MPA program at the University of Texas at El Paso.Erika is a widely quoted expert and has been featured in a variety of publications, including Forbes, ProPublica, and SUCCESS Magazine. She is a sought-after presenter and keynote speaker at conferences, addressed private events for Fortune 500 companies, and is an invited lecturer for both MIT's "Advanced Business Resiliency" and "Crisis Management and Business Resilience" courses. Her experience surviving Hurricane Helene in Asheville, NC, inspired her second book, When The Sh*t Hits The Fan: Business Survival Guide to Thrive, Grow and Keep Your Cash Flow After Disasters. Her first book, How to Not Kill Your Business: Grow Your Business in Any Environment, Navigate Volatility, and Successfully Recover When Things Go Wrong, has sold every month since it was released in September 2022.Erika is a fan of combining her Emergency Management background with Business Continuity to maximize impact for community resilience. She is also a 2x Amazon Best Seller, international podcast guest, recovering lawyer, and generally a hoot (so she’s told).LinksErika as a Service (EasS) Website https://www.eaasc.com/meet-erikaGet Your FREE BC Worksheethttps://www.eaasc.com/free-worksheetBooksWhen The Sh*t Hits The Fan: Business Survival Guide to Thrive, Grow, and Keep Your Cash Flow After Disastershttps://www.amazon.com/When-Sh-Hits-Fan-Disasters/dp/B0DZ2N43CS/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JIIl0vHPnAUqzAgEQBqiSaC-4ohf9eCmiP8FTvXzFM3GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.PZwlDp_cFIJXaszJXrmySSqttfVkRNsca8cpRD6gV7Q&dib_tag=se&qid=1768432109&refinements=p_27%3AErika+Andresen&s=books&sr=1-3&text=Erika+AndresenHow to Not Kill Your Business: Grow Your Business in Any Environment, Navigate Volatility, and Successfully Recover When Things Go Wronghttps://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Kill-Your-Business/dp/199018538X/ref=sr_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JIIl0vHPnAUqzAgEQBqiSaC-4ohf9eCmiP8FTvXzFM3GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.PZwlDp_cFIJXaszJXrmySSqttfVkRNsca8cpRD6gV7Q&dib_tag=se&qid=1768432109&refinements=p_27%3AErika+Andresen&s=books&sr=1-4&text=Erika+Andresen