I thought disaster planning was for other people. Then my home and office burned to the ground

by Lara Ryan

While most organizations spend time and money on risk management, many small businesses don't have a disaster plan. I didn't. In April a wildfire blew through our neighbourhood just outside Halifax. Fire officials say it moved quicker than most—about 40 metres a minute instead of 10. There was no time for an official evacuation. Homes burned fast.

The fire destroyed our neighbourhood without warning. We ran for our lives with only children, pets, and the clothes on our backs. There was no time to grab photo albums, personal papers, family records, or hard drives. My family was one of eight to lose a home. Our devastation was compounded by the fact that my husband and I are both self-employed and run our businesses from home offices. Our losses were typical: computers, printers, files, books, and the usual clutter.

Fortunately, the bulk of our work is intellectual property. And so, with our intellects (mostly) intact, in time we should be able to retrieve or recreate most of what was lost. We have beaten ourselves up with the would haves, should haves, and could haves about the things we didn't save. Top of the list are family pictures, heirlooms, and precious collectables. Every lost computer and business file is also maddening.

After the fire I wondered how many other SOHO entrepreneurs might not be prepared for disaster. Being ready doesn't take much time-just turn intention into reality. Here's the top of my "wish I'd put theory into practice" list:

• An up-to-date backup of all files
• Loss of revenue insurance (weeks were spent on settling our family)
• A file of passwords to re-establish email and other online accounts
• A plan for maintaining a schedule of deliverables
• Make time to get organized. Don't procrastinate the to-do list
• "Grab-and-go" box of files and photos

The Insurance Bureau of Canada's suggested risk-management plan for small business includes strategies and techniques for recognizing and confronting threats. This is as uncomplicated as answering these three questions: What can go wrong? What will we do, both to prevent harm from occurring and in response to harm or loss? If something happens, how will we pay for it?

One thing made clear by our experience is that we live in a generous place. To see the outpouring of support from friends and colleagues was heartwarming. Friends dropped off food and clothes. We were overwhelmed with offers of support, including office space. Clients were gracious and understanding, taking the time to collect and send back work so I could recreate my files.

Good things come from challenges. I am conscious that it has opened the door to opportunities. Now that some time has passed, a certain feeling of being unburdened has set in. When we rebuild, we will be more conscious of the environment. Opportunities for green-building practices are now within reach.

Despite my belief in prosperity without consumption, out of necessity we've become our own private stimulus package. Still, this time less is more. Local and sustainable are priorities. We have the chance to start over with those values in mind.

The biggest lesson for a Type A? To know you don't have control. I'm being forced to let go of the little things. This is refreshing. Perspective changes.

Lara Ryan is a consultant specializing in CSR. She can be reached at lara@lararyanconsulting.ca.