In this engaging workshop on disaster recovery, I guided participants through the essential steps every business needs to take to prepare for the unexpected. From understanding why a disaster plan is crucial to real-life examples of what can happen when things go wrong, this session offered valuable insights and actionable takeaways. We explored how to prioritize potential crises, assign roles, manage communication, and navigate PR and social media challenges. The workshop also featured practical tips on using both modern and traditional tools for resilience. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of key moments and discussions from the session to help you build and refine your own disaster recovery plan.
Welcome, everyone! We kicked things off right at 2:00 PM, diving into why this workshop is so crucial. I emphasized the importance of giving this session your full attention, turning off notifications, and making sure you have printed the materials. Trust me, if there’s one hour you’ll want to dedicate fully, it’s this one. You’ll be glad you did when you have a strong disaster recovery plan in place.
Why Plan for Disasters? (1:56 – 3:05)
We shared why preparing for unexpected events is essential for every business. If you’ve been in business long enough, you know that something always comes up, and it’s the companies that are prepared that come out on top. So, having even a basic plan sets you apart from most businesses.
Introductory Poll & Team Introductions (3:06 – 10:00)
We engaged with a poll to find out everyone’s biggest disaster concerns. This led to an insightful round of introductions. I shared my primary concern—data incidents, like losing files or websites going down. John talked about internal network issues, while Angel highlighted communication failures due to storms in the Philippines. It was great hearing from everyone and understanding the diverse challenges we all face.
Identifying and Prioritizing Potential Crises (10:01 – 13:38)
We explained a simple scoring method to identify potential disasters in your business and rank them by severity and likelihood. We all took a moment to think about what could go wrong and how severe and likely those scenarios might be.
Preparedness Steps and Real-life Examples (13:39 – 25:49)
We shared stories about past crises, underscoring the importance of backing up both physical and digital assets. One memorable example involved a client’s aircraft records that were destroyed due to an unexpected incident. If they had been backed up digitally, it would have been a minimal issue. This resonated with many attendees as a reminder of why thorough preparation matters.
Communication and Team Assignments (25:50 – 32:24)
We stressed how crucial it is to have clear roles and backups during a crisis. We discussed having a designated leader and ensuring that everyone knows their responsibilities in the first 24 hours of an incident. It’s vital to have this structure in place so no one ends up “winging it.”
PR Strategies and Dealing with the Press (32:25 – 39:19)
We talked about the importance of preparing generic press releases for top scenarios and having one spokesperson to manage communication. Good relationships with the media can make or break how your story gets told. I shared some advice from my law enforcement background on how even the best-intentioned people can get the story wrong, so it’s crucial to have controlled, consistent messaging.
Managing Social Media During a Crisis (39:20 – 47:29)
We covered the power of getting ahead of the story by posting factual, straightforward messages on social media. I reminded everyone that the internet can be a rough place, so monitoring and responding wisely is important. Stay calm and stick to the facts.
Team Engagement and Real-life Scenarios (47:30 – 50:28)
John shared a story about a financial institution he worked for where the team’s lack of alignment caused a major issue during a crisis. This underscored why having your team on board is crucial to successfully executing a recovery plan.
Old-school Techniques for Modern Solutions (50:29 – 58:36)
We talked about integrating older technologies like landlines and ham radios as reliable backups in emergencies. These “old-school” methods can sometimes be the most dependable tools in a crisis.
Final Takeaways and Q&A (58:37 – 1:00:26)
We wrapped up by encouraging everyone to work on their disaster plans with their teams and reminded them that they’re not alone—I’m here to help during office hours for further discussions.
Closing (1:00:27 – End)
We ended with a heartfelt thank you. I hope you left this session feeling more prepared and motivated to create a plan, even if it’s only 11% of a plan, which, as Guardians of the Galaxy fans know, is barely a concept! But seriously, having a starting point makes all the difference.
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