Image via Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism/Flickr CC
As a small business owner, you know how important it is to keep working, no matter what the elements. Losing productivity due to the weather can be costly for small businesses—an IDC study found that costs of unplanned downtime can cost a business $82,200-$256,000, an expense few small businesses can afford. Unfortunately, the winter months can hit hard, especially if you operate locally, or ship products from a region prone to weather disruptions. Whether you’re faced with a foot of snow on the ground, a workforce that’s under the weather, or a layer of ice over everything, keeping productive in winter can be a challenge. It’s important to be prepared for these hardships as much as you can so your small business can keep running productively during winter months. Here’s how to get your business ready for the rest of the winter.
Plan for Access
Nothing’s worse than being trapped at home without your important files. There are several ways to make sure you have access to your documents and data should you become snowed in or stuck at home with the flu:
- You can use programs like Dropbox or OneDrive to create your files so that they’re available anywhere.
- You can put files on a thumb drive before you leave the office to have them on hand.
- You can use a remote desktop app to access your work PC.
- You can schedule remote meetings over video chat.
Backups are also important. A cloud backup system is convenient and reliable, but you can also manually back up your files as well. Mobile hotspots can be created using your phone or a hotspot device to give you Internet access in case of emergency.
Prepare Your Staff
Everyone knows that winter is tough on productivity. Illness, trouble commuting, and low spirits all take their toll. You should discuss your concerns with your staff in advance, and work with them on how to reduce absenteeism during colder months. For a small business with a small staff, absenteeism can bring operations to a grinding halt temporarily.
Make sure everyone has what they need to avoid illness, and make it easy for your staff to access healthcare. If it’s possible for your business, give your staff the tools they need to work from home if they’re sick, and encourage everyone to avoid spreading germs if they don’t feel well. It does no one any good for a sick employee to come into work and spread illness! You can also help promote wellness by paying for employee flu shots and providing access to healthy snacks and drinks in the office to keep your employees healthy and productive.
Get Supplies
Is your area prone to power outages? Blizzards? It may be a good time to pick up a generator for your business. You’ll also want to have shovels, salt, and other supplies you may need to dig out your office—and a place for your car. Have some backup chargers on hand for your mobile devices, and send some with your employees in case they need them. Power outages can make work all but impossible, so having a backup source of power is key to staying productive during the winter.
Communicate
The most important thing to remember is that communication is key. Check in with your building manager to ensure the pipes will be safe. Bring laptops with you whenever possible so you and your team have access to the tools you need.
Keep your customers informed about any delays that might occur due to the weather. It’s always better to tell the truth and keep your customers updated then to have to apologize later on because you were hoping for the best. Everyone is battling the same problems during the winter, and most people are understanding, so prepare for the worst and hope for the best. With a lot of preparation and a little luck, your business will emerge in spring no worse for wear.
