The document outlines the results of a survey conducted by the BCI London Forum committee to identify the characteristics of a good Business Continuity Manager (BCM). Respondents identified that a good BCM communicates well, remains calm during crises, and extracts key information effectively. They are also flexible, make quick decisions, motivate teams well, and maintain a sense of humor. Additionally, a good BCM has experience in areas like risk management, IT, and facilities management and participates in industry associations and conferences.

1. Jim Moffat
Smith Ivanson Ltd

2. Background
What makes a good BCM questions
composed by the BCI London Forum
committee
Online questionnaire Oct – Nov 2009
questionnaire,
80 respondents from the BCI in the UK

3. Results: A good BCM
Communicates well at all levels
Keeps calm during a crisis
Extracts key information extremely well
Is very well known within Facilities Risk, IT and BC departments
Facilities, Risk
Conducts regular internal awareness campaigns
Is exceptionally flexible
Makes i k decisions
M k quick d i i
Motivates teams well
Multi-tasks well
Keeps a sense of humour in a crisis
K fh i i i
Is a forward thinker
Analyses well
Presents well
P t ll
Is a member of the BCI
Has been in the profession for over 3 years

4. A good BCM has responsibility for
BC awareness and training
BC plan development
p p
BC rehearsals/testing
BC strategy development
t t d l t
BC rehearsals/testingg
Critical supplier BC audit
Crisis management

5. Personal Attributes of a Good BCM
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
-10%
Communicates well at all Keeps calm during a
levels
l l crisis
i i

6. Personal Attributes of a Good BCM
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
Can extract key Is exceptionally flexible
information extremely well
i f ti t l ll

7. Personal Attributes of a Good BCM
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
Is a quick and decisive Has much better than
decision
d i i maker k average personal skills
l kill

8. Personal Attributes of a Good BCM
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
Is an exceptional team Is an excellent multi-
motivator
ti t tasker
t k

9. Personal Attributes of a Good BCM
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
Has a sense of humour, Is an exceptional forward
even i a crisis
in i i thinker
thi k

10. Personal Attributes of a Good BCM
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
Is highly analytical Is an extremely good
presenter
t

11. Personal Attributes of a Good BCM
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
Can produce superb Understands technical,
reports
t especially IT, concepts
i ll IT t
well

12. Age does make a difference to
some
55 - 65 years of age
45 - 54 years of age
35 - 44 years of age
25 - 34 years of age
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Essential Highly Desirable
Somewhat Desirable Not Essential
Not Desirable

13. Experience related attributes
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
Has considerable Risk Has worked in several
Management experience
M t i other organisations in as
th i ti i
a BCM

14. Experience related attributes
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
Has considerable IT Has considerable
experience
i Facilities M
F iliti Management
t
experience

15. Years of experience as a BCM
25-30 years
15-20 years
10-14 years
6-9 years
y
4-5 years
13
1-3 years
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Essential Highly Desirable
Somewhat Desirable Not Essential
Not Desirable

16. A good BCM has responsibility for
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
BC awareness and BC plan development
training
t i i

17. A good BCM has responsibility for
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
BC rehearsals/testing BC strategy development

18. A good BCM has responsibility for
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
Critical supplier BC audit Crisis management

19. A good BCM has responsibility for
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
BC plan audit Risk management

20. Within their organisation, a good
BCM
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
Is very well known within Conducts regular internal
Facilities, Risk, IT and BC
F iliti Ri k d awareness campaigns
i
departments

21. Within their organisation, a good
BCM
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Is a member of the Board

22. Outside the organisation, a good
BCM
80% 80%
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
Is a member of the BCI Is a member of the DRII

23. Outside the organisation, a good
BCM
80% 80%
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
Is a member of AIRMIC Is a member of steering
groups within BC
ithi
professional bodies

24. Outside the organisation, a good
BCM
80% 80%
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
Is a frequent speaker at Has won BC industry
external BC seminars
t l i awards
d

25. Outside the organisation, a good
BCM
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Is a regular contributor to
BC jjournals
l