SMB Continuity Planning: Step-by-Step Guide for Leaders
- CrisisWire
- Sep 29
- 2 min read
When disaster strikes, small businesses rarely get a second chance. From cyberattacks to natural disasters, continuity planning is often dismissed as a Fortune 500 priority. The reality is the opposite: SMBs are the most vulnerable because they lack the redundancy and capital reserves of large corporations.
A well-built Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is not a luxury. It is the difference between shutting down for good and surviving a crisis.
The Problem: Why SMBs Fail at Continuity
No formal risk assessment process
IT backups that are incomplete or untested
Lack of cross-training for essential staff
Failure to plan for vendor and supply chain disruptions
No crisis communication plan for employees and customers
These gaps mean most SMBs are one major disruption away from collapse.
Actionable Fixes: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Conduct a Business Impact Analysis (BIA)Identify critical functions, dependencies, and vulnerabilities.
Step 2: Develop Continuity Strategies Create backup systems for IT, facilities, supply chains, and key personnel.
Step 3: Build a Written Business Continuity Plan (BCP)Outline responsibilities, communication protocols, and recovery time objectives.
Step 4: Test Through Drills Conduct tabletop exercises and live simulations at least twice per year.
Step 5: Maintain and Update Review quarterly and update after every drill or incident.
For checklists and planning templates, see The Prepared Leader.
Leadership Responsibility
Continuity is not an IT project — it is a leadership duty. CEOs, owners, and directors must lead by embedding resilience into the organizational culture. Insurers, lenders, and clients increasingly demand proof of continuity readiness.
Read The Prepared Leader for step-by-step continuity planning frameworks.
Contact CrisisWire at crisiswire@proton.me for SMB continuity assessments, tabletop exercises, and recovery planning.
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