Life is full of surprises. As a founder, you’re responsible for leading your clients, employees, and vendors through unexpected events.

This requires planning and preparing for potential scenarios to reduce damage done to your business. Then revisiting these annually to make sure they’re relevant and accurate. Insurance is a tool, not a plan.

Having a clear plan for how to respond enables all participants to make decisions with clarity and confidence. Lack of planning leaves room for emotionally driven decisions that make situations worse.

Disruption and Uncertainty

Start by making a list of different scenarios internally (Weaknesses) and externally (Threats). Make a list of different scenarios and how you will respond. Then run through with your team to make sure there are no gaps.

📥 Internal might include loss of electricity, theft, medical leave, stolen devices, etc. These are easier to manage because you can have practices and tools in place to reduce risk.

📤 External might include loss of vendors, changes in local policies, changes in industry, etc. These are outside your control, but you’re still responsible for leading through them.

Prompts for Planning

  • How long could this event impact your business?
  • Who do you need to contact?
  • What recovery steps will you take?
  • What’s your messaging to clients and vendors?
  • If something happens to you, who can make decisions on your behalf?
  • What steps are needed to make sure payroll isn’t interrupted?
  • What steps are needed to make sure payments and services aren’t interrupted?

Take charge and start the conversation with your team. Start by discussing the next 90 days and then thinking ahead for the next year.