| > | | | | equipment (both cleaning and office equipment) is |
| You spend years building up a successful cleaning | | | | covered. Most insurance companies offer Inland |
| business. And, unfortunately, in just a matter of minutes | | | | Marine insurance. This will cover any equipment you |
| it can be wiped out by a disaster - fires, floods, | | | | don't store on your property. |
| tornadoes, hurricanes, and chemical spills are just a | | | | Keep in mind you will also be replacing more than just |
| few of the things that can wipe out your business in a | | | | cleaning equipment, but also office equipment and |
| matter of minutes. How you prepare ahead of time | | | | supplies. It may be necessary to rent items temporarily |
| can determine if your business succeeds or fails after | | | | until you have the insurance check. So it's also |
| a disaster happens. Bad things can happen to your | | | | important to have enough money on hand to rent the |
| business -- fires, floods, tornadoes and hurricanes, are | | | | necessary equipment. |
| just a few of the many disasters that can wipe out | | | | Some of the things you might be renting include: |
| your cleaning business in just a matter of minutes. You | | | | - office space |
| have spent years building up a successful cleaning | | | | - office furniture |
| business; don't let failure to plan for the worst ruin it. | | | | - computers and printers |
| Although no one wants to think about it, planning ahead | | | | - phones and accessories |
| can keep your business from going under after a | | | | - cleaning equipment (buffers, vacuums, mop buckets, |
| tragic event. Many businesses never recover from | | | | etc.) |
| misfortune: the Small Business Administration (SBA) | | | | Your policy should include some type of business |
| reported that in 2006 up to 25 percent of businesses | | | | interruption insurance - think of the possible situations |
| did not reopen after a natural disaster. | | | | and then decide if you need one or more months of |
| Proper planning can also get your business up and | | | | coverage. |
| running faster or keep your business going when | | | | 5. Prepare an action plan so if a disaster does happen |
| others in your area are still trying to get back on their | | | | you don't panic. Who will call your cleaning customers |
| feet. The Red Cross and FEMA encourage all | | | | to let them know you are running behind schedule? If a |
| businesses to create a disaster plan. Even if you don't | | | | natural disaster hits a large area your customers will |
| have time to sit down and write out a full-blown plan | | | | also be scrambling to get on their feet. However, if |
| for your cleaning business, begin developing your plan | | | | your business experiences a fire or other incident that |
| by starting with the following: | | | | only affects you, it is important to keep the lines of |
| 1. Create a list of phone numbers of your key | | | | communication open with your customers. If you can't |
| employees and customers and keep it with you. Also | | | | get up and running in a hurry, they may have to find |
| provide a copy of that list to key staff members. | | | | another cleaning company to take care of their |
| 2. Back up your computer data often and keep an | | | | buildings. |
| updated record of that information off-site. If you keep | | | | 6. Make note of where you can quickly get |
| paper records, be sure to make copies of important | | | | replacement supplies and equipment. Is there a janitorial |
| documents and store those in another building. | | | | supplies distributor in your community that will have |
| 3. Make a comprehensive list of your equipment, | | | | what you need to get up and running? Also, make |
| including the price, date purchased, model number, and | | | | note of office supply stores in your area so you can |
| serial number. Keep this updated as you buy new | | | | replace your office equipment. |
| equipment and keep a copy of this off-site. It's also a | | | | 7. Another necessity is having an emergency fund so |
| good idea to photograph or videotape your office, | | | | you can quickly replace equipment before you get |
| equipment, and supplies so you have a visual record | | | | your insurance check. Think of saving 3-6 months of |
| for insurance and replacement purposes. | | | | business income. |
| 4. Consult with your insurance agent and make sure | | | | You've no doubt spent years building up a successful |
| you have enough coverage. Remember, most policies | | | | cleaning business. Don't let it be destroyed in just a |
| do not cover flood or earthquake damage. Your | | | | few minutes by an unforeseen disaster. Taking the |
| insurance needs to cover more than just your building. | | | | time to prepare now before something happens can |
| Insurance has to also cover the replacement cost of | | | | assure that your cleaning business can keep going |
| your supplies and equipment. Make sure your | | | | after a tragedy. |