When disaster strikes your business – whether the result of human error, a security breach, hardware/systems failure or anything else – it’s imperative you act quickly and strategically. The good news is that technology rentals offer solutions to help your business not only survive, but continue to thrive. Here are five tips on how to recover from a business disaster using technology.
1. RESTORE CONFIDENCE
You might be able to prevent the full extent of the issue going public; however, you can’t hide what’s happened from your own people. This is a time to acknowledge the situation and immediately set about restoring confidence within the company. You should begin this process by effectively communicating need-to-know details of the incident to staff. Explain how it impacts operations and stakeholders. Ensure everyone gets back online safely, and outline a comprehensive disaster recovery plan. All these actions are made easier with the right backup technology in place including desktops, workstations and videoconferencing equipment.
2. STAY OPERATIONAL
If you do ever find yourself in the unfortunate position of wondering how to recover from a business disaster, remember the importance of being decisive and staying operational. The worst-case scenario involves not just a loss of hardware or data, but also being incapable of communicating with customers and clients, making sales and keeping work systems flowing. It’s vital you do whatever it takes to continue conducting business as usual, or at least close to usual. If that means renting a temporary office space with backup IT equipment for your staff, don’t hesitate to make the call.
3. HIRE WHAT YOU NEED
Regardless of the size and nature of the specific disaster, a technology rental can help bail your business out of tricky situations. Long-term, you may want to buy new equipment and restock your inventory. However, short-term it’s wise to focus on getting the gear you need as soon as possible. Hiring quality IT equipment, networking hardware, business phones, scanners, printers and photocopiers, etc., is the best way to stay on track while considering alternatives.
4. REPLACE OR UPGRADE?
One of your next major decisions will be around whether to replace lost or damaged equipment with like for like, or upgrade to the latest technologies that align with your business goals and procedures. If choosing the latter option, a trial period using rental equipment can help you decide which hardware is ideal. Hire it, test it, and only commit to a purchase when you’re satisfied with its output.
5. LEARN FROM THE PAST
Undoubtedly, you have a few problems to solve as a priority. However, at some point it will be prudent to analyse where things went wrong, learn from any mistakes made and prepare for a disaster-free future. This step calls for cool heads and perhaps an in-depth, technology-based review of operations. Were the correct protocols and contingencies in place before the business disaster occurred? Did you have adequate backup for all key hardware, software applications and systems? And most importantly, what are you going to do differently to prevent or minimise the impact of further unpredictable incidents?
Need to know how to recover from a business disaster? Talk to Hire Intelligence now!
