A severe storm, power outage, or other emergency can disrupt a business with little warning. But many of the decisions that shape the response happen long before the disruption begins and disaster strikes.
Preparedness should be part of normal business planning, not something that moves to the top of a to-do list only when a storm is approaching, or an emergency is already underway. Businesses may not need a plan for every possible scenario. But they do need a clear understanding of the most likely risks to their operations, key decisions outlined before circumstances force action under pressure, and a clear plan for how employees will communicate and respond if normal operations are disrupted.
A basic risk assessment gives you a practical starting point. Identify the events most likely to affect your business, including severe weather, flooding, fire, power outages, and technology disruptions. Then consider how each one might affect your employees, customers, facilities, equipment, and operations.
At Walmart, disaster preparedness and response are part of how we operate. Small and medium-sized businesses may not need the same systems or resources as a global company, but many of the underlying principles still apply.
3 Steps to Help Businesses Prepare Their People and Put Themselves in a Stronger Position to Recover
1. Stock the Essentials
During an emergency, employees may need to rely on the supplies available at your workplace if essential services or travel are disrupted. Standard off-the-shelf emergency kits are a useful starting point, but they may not address the specific needs of your business.
Consider maintaining at least three days of basic emergency supplies. If building an emergency supply inventory feels overwhelming, start with the essentials and expand over time based on your business needs and the risks most common in your area. Depending on your operation, that could include drinking water, nonperishable food, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and backup power or charging options.
Think about how many people will likely be at your location during a disruption, what they would need during a power outage, how road closures or delayed departures could affect them, and which business functions must continue or be restored quickly if normal operations stop.
A small office building has different needs from a restaurant, warehouse, or childcare provider. Once you understand what your organization requires, build those products into your regular purchasing process. Identify critical supplies in advance, determine how much to keep on hand, and check and rotate your inventory periodically.
Remember that food, batteries, medications, and some first-aid products have expiration dates. Employees may also use items from an emergency supply cabinet during normal operations without anyone noticing. Take the time now to replace those supplies before you need them.
2. Document Your Assets
Assessing damage after a disaster is easier if you have created and maintained a record of important business property. Photograph facilities, equipment, inventory, and other valuable assets. When appropriate, keep receipts, serial numbers, and other relevant documentation.
Store digital copies in a secure cloud service to ensure access if physical premises or local servers are compromised. Review your insurance coverage so you’re clear on what your policies cover and what documentation you need to file a claim.
After a disruption, document any damage once it is safe to return. When possible, take photographs before moving or disposing of damaged property, and maintain records of items in need of repair or replacement.
Documentation cannot prevent a loss, but it can provide a clearer picture of what happened and help your business determine what comes next.
3. Strengthen Community Connections
No business operates by itself. Relationships with local government agencies, emergency management officials, nonprofits, neighboring businesses, and other community organizations can be critical to disaster preparedness and recovery.
Identify the organizations your business may need during an emergency and establish connections before one occurs. Learn which agency manages emergency response in your area. Get to know neighboring businesses. Understand the role local nonprofits and community groups play in disaster response and recovery.
I have seen businesses help source and distribute essential products after disasters, work alongside nonprofits and local agencies, and provide resources when normal supply channels have been disrupted. You do not need a formal disaster-response network to contribute. But it helps to know the people and organizations around you before everyone is trying to make introductions in the middle of an emergency.
Walmart follows the same principle across the communities we serve. Effective disaster response often requires coordination among businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations. We know that the resources differ by organization, but relationships built before a disaster make it easier to work together effectively during an emergency.
Make Preparedness Part of Normal Operations
No plan can account for every emergency. Still, businesses should make decisions now that put them in a better position to respond when something unexpected happens.
Identify the risks most likely to affect your organization. Maintain the supplies your employees may need during the first few days of a disruption. Keep records that support damage assessment and recovery. Build relationships with the organizations and businesses around you.
Revisit the plan periodically. Make sure key employees understand their responsibilities, know who is empowered to make critical decisions, and understand how the business will communicate if normal operations stop. And pro tip: As you develop your preparedness plan, keep digital records in the cloud but also maintain printed copies of critical response plans and employee contact information both onsite and offsite in case technology systems are unavailable.
Small, practical steps taken today can make a meaningful difference in how a business, its employees, and its operations recover tomorrow.
Ashley Hubka is the senior vice president and general manager at Walmart Business.
