{"id":7123,"date":"2016-09-01T09:00:23","date_gmt":"2016-09-01T15:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/?p=7123"},"modified":"2016-09-01T09:00:23","modified_gmt":"2016-09-01T15:00:23","slug":"why-your-small-business-needs-crisis-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluehost.com\/blog\/why-your-small-business-needs-crisis-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"In Case of Emergency: Why Your Small Business Needs a Crisis Management Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Consider this a test of your emergency preparedness. <\/span>
You\u2019re in the office when the floor begins to undulate. It takes you a moment to process what\u2019s happening \u2014 an earthquake \u2014 but by then the shaking has intensified. Suddenly, the lights flicker and go dark. Bookshelves and desks topple and jerk across the room. Windows shatter. What do you do next? <\/span>
If you don\u2019t have an answer, it\u2019s time to get serious about preparing your small business for a workplace emergency. After all, not many of us think clearly when facing life-or-death situations. Creating a crisis management plan as part of <\/span>National Preparedness Month<\/span><\/a> can help you, your employees, and your company survive \u2014 no matter when <\/span>the really big one<\/span><\/a> strikes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is a Workplace Emergency?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Nobody wants to be at their desk when a disaster unfolds, but the unfortunate truth is emergencies happen without regard for time or place. A workplace emergency is defined by the <\/span>Occupational Safety and Health Administration<\/span><\/a> (OSHA) as \u201can unforeseen situation that threatens your employees, customers, or the public; disrupts or shuts down your operations; or causes physical or environmental damage.\u201d These emergencies can be natural or manmade, including:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n