What Western Nova Scotia Business Owners Can Do Now to Build Resiliency

This is the fourth and final article in a series on the Western Region Business Resiliency Index. The Index uses a survey of 63 businesses across Western Nova Scotia. This article turns the findings into practical steps. New to the series? Read Article 1 here, Article 2 here and Article 3 here.

From findings to action

Our first article shared the big picture. Western Nova Scotia businesses scored 1.65 out of 3.00 on the overall Resiliency Index. This score places the region in the moderate range.

Our second article looked at the areas with the most exposure. Workforce resiliency scored 1.4. Infrastructure and community resiliency scored 1.5.

Our third article looked at areas of strength. Market resiliency scored 1.9. Financial resiliency scored 1.8. Digital resiliency scored 1.7.

These results give us useful information. But information alone does not make a business more resilient. Action does. You do not need a five-year plan. You need a next step.

Start with your biggest risk

Resiliency can sound like a large and costly project. That can make it easy to put off.

Start with one question: What problem would hurt your business most if it happened tomorrow? The answer could involve the owner, a key employee, a power outage, a lost supplier or a failed computer system.

Choose one risk. Take one step to reduce it. Then move to the next risk when you have time. Small steps can make a business less dependent on memory, one person or one system.

Reduce owner dependence

• Key passwords and account details.
• Main supplier and customer contacts.
• Basic financial information.
• Important deadlines and payment dates.
• Steps for the two or three tasks only you can do.

Keep this information in a safe place. Tell a trusted person how to find it.

The document does not need to look perfect. It needs to exist. Update it when important information changes.

Build one backup person

You do not need to train every employee to do every task. Start with the role that would cause the most trouble if it went unfilled for one week. Choose one person to learn that role. Give them time to practice. Let them ask questions. Write down the steps as you go.

This approach helps the business. It also helps employees build skills and confidence.

A backup person can support the business during illness, vacation or staff turnover. Cross training can also reduce pressure on the owner.

Know who to call

Forty percent of respondents said they were not aware of any community or regional emergency resources for businesses.

You can close this gap before a crisis. Reach out to us at Western REN or contact your municipality. Ask which services and contacts can help during a disruption.

Your list may include power outage contacts, road closure information, emergency support, business continuity advice and local recovery programs. Keep the list with your other business records. Review it once a year. Make sure the contact details are still working. A short call during calm conditions can save time during a storm or outage.

Plan for service gaps

Reliable internet and cell service are not always available across Western Nova Scotia. Businesses cannot solve that problem on their own, but they can reduce the disruption it causes.

Start by identifying which parts of your business are most dependent on connectivity. Then look at where a service interruption would create the biggest problem. You may need to adjust how you schedule work, communicate with customers or access information during an outage.

It is also worth knowing which local services and locations can help when a disruption lasts longer than expected. Build those contacts into your business continuity plan so you are not searching for answers in the middle of an outage.

The goal is not to eliminate the risk. It is to make sure one infrastructure problem does not bring your whole operation to a stop.

Protect your strengths

The survey found clear strengths in financial health, market adaptability and digital tools. Protect these strengths while you address weaker areas.

If you have cash reserves or a line of credit, review your current position. Know what funding you could access during an emergency. Check that your contact information and account details remain current.

If you serve several markets or customer groups, continue to build that flexibility. Test new products, services or ways to reach customers. A wider customer base can help when one market slows.

If digital tools support your daily work, create a real backup plan. Back up important files. Keep copies in a second location. Use unique passwords. Teach staff how to spot common scams. Review your backup process on a regular schedule.

Make a simple action list

• Identify the risk that could cause the most harm.
• Write down the information that only one person knows.
• Choose one critical role and train a backup.
• Create a list of local emergency contacts.
• Plan for a loss of internet, cell service or power.
• Check your financial, market and digital safeguards.
• Review your progress each year.

What happens next?

This series shared what local businesses told us. It also showed where businesses can take action.

Western REN is building a Resiliency Toolkit based on the survey findings. The Toolkit will include templates, checklists and practical tools for owner succession planning, staff cross-training, emergency preparedness and digital backups.

Thank you to the 63 businesses that completed the survey. Your answers shaped this series. They will also shape the Toolkit.

Our plan is to conduct this survey yearly. This will help us track where issues may lie and where the business community needs support.

If you have questions about your own business, contact Western REN. We are here to help.

Read the full Resiliency Survey Report here