The June Chamber Academy Event was presented by Gary Ficken, owner of Bimm Ridder Sportswear; Scott Loggins, case manager with the Chamber's Business Success Initiative; and Safegaurd Iowa Partnership. Attendees learned about preparing a business continuity plan - what's involved, how to do it, and most importantly - keeping your business protected in a future disaster. From strategic and broad-based thinking, to most crucial elements of the first four hours of a disaster, you will feel more prepared with a good plan in place. In addition to the presentation, break-out sessions will be held so you can share your thoughts with one another.

1. “It” Can Happen To Anyone, Anywhere Tornado (Parkersburg) Fire Ice storm/blizzard Earthquake

2. Flood Cedar Rapids, Iowa – June 2008

3. Continuity PlanObjective To address the risk to operational and business continuity at your facility Of particular importance: Insuring the IT services and production are recovered as fast as possible to minimize the impact of a disruption.

4. Business Continuity PlanKey Elements Continuity team Critical business operations Resumption of activities Plan communication and training Disaster recovery contacts Disaster recovery roadmap Business disaster kit Outstanding business recovery actions Training and review of plan (frequently)

5. Identifying Your Continuity Team Individuals and contact information Cell phones, text messaging capability Internet – email Each has a copy of the plan at home Each has access to an electronic version

6. Critical Business OperationsPersonnel Chain of command Contact information Possible issues to overcome Loss of personnel records Critical personnel are unavailable Down time: people are unable to get to work Responses: specific action plans for each issue (including assignment of personal responsibilities)

7. Critical Business OperationsProcesses Location of Business Continuity Plan Possible issues to overcome Unable to take orders Unable to ship Order process documentation lost Responses: specific action plans for each issue (including assignment of personal responsibilities)

9. Plan Communication and Training Communication will be made as follows Determine email, phone, website Who is responsible in which department? Management team Yearly reminder to those people for their records Update contacts Update pictures Update procedures

10. Disaster Recovery Contacts Determine Organizations Homeland Security FEMA SBA Bank Insurance carriers Chamber of Commerce Utilities CIRAS Contact Information Name Website Phone Email

11. Business Disaster Kit Items Included in Business Disaster Kit Business Continuity Plan 3 Years of Tax Records Employee Contact List Customer Contact List Supplier Contact List Disaster Kit Location

12. Outstanding Business Recovery Actions Update contact list for company personnel. Scan critical personnel records to the server. Take photos of facility setup and workstations. Determine generator requirements. Verify insurance coverage.

13. Gary Ficken Bimm Ridder Sportswear Phone: 319-364-3479 Email: gficken@bimmridder.com