Over the last few years alone, North America has faced several devastating environmental emergencies, including wildfires, flooding, tornadoes, and more. When disaster strikes, you want your employees and property as prepared as possible. In this article, we cover some ways you can prevent losses due to catastrophic events:
Having a predetermined plan makes all the difference when a natural disaster ensues. If your dealership is in an area prone to different kinds of extreme weather conditions, make sure you create a plan for each scenario. For example, do your employees know the safest place in your building to take cover during a tornado warning? What about an earthquake? Be particular about protocol to help your staff remain calm and feel prepared during dire circumstances.
Whether you’re building a new structure, or reinforcing your current establishment, use materials that increase your property’s chances of weathering severe storms and hazards.
For example, if you’re in a danger zone for potential wildfires, replacing your current roof with a metal one can stop your building from catching fire as easily. Using fire-resistant material wherever possible will mitigate the risk of your dealership being completely scorched.
If your location experiences hurricanes or frequent tornadoes, keep in mind that heavy concrete and steel are much more likely to withstand severe winds and torrential rain than a structure composed mostly of wood or glass.
Clear communication helps you and your staff stay on the same page and execute plans smoothly. Keep your employees and customers updated on necessary safety measures, the status of your operations, and other important news. Inform your community of your current condition via website updates, email communications, social media posts, or other communication channels. Maintain a calm, empathetic tone to avoid alarming anyone further.
Property insurance can help cover the cost of losses due to unfortunate events. Do your research to determine the best-suited coverage for you. Most commercial plans cover damages and losses due to theft or fires, but it can be expensive and more difficult to find a plan that covers natural disasters if you’re located in a high-risk zone. Discuss your specific needs with your insurance agent to decide what plan your dealership should have.
In the event of a disaster, the last thing you want to be worried about is losing all your dealership’s information. By backing up your files to a cloud, you can rest assured you won’t lose everything. To simplify this process, you can implement a dealer management system that automatically keeps your records organized and backed up to a cloud database. With digital records and nightly backups, you won’t have the added stress of worrying about your data while navigating a crisis. For ultimate preparation, you should establish an IT disaster recovery plan to ensure critical dealership information won’t be lost.
Even if you have the strongest plan crafted for emergencies, it won’t be effective unless every employee is informed and equipped to carry it out. After creating an operational strategy, schedule a group training session to discuss the plan with your team. This allows you to relay the message in one go, keep employees up to date, and provide any necessary clarification on various steps. By staying proactive, you can guarantee that no one will question what to do in a state of emergency.
Addressing vulnerabilities across your dealership will help you stay prepared for the threat of natural disasters. Begin to take precautions today to minimize potential damage in the future.