Avoiding Disaster

Earthquakes, fires, mainframe crashes, hacker attacks, terrorism . . . Whether you operate in the private sector or the public sector, failure to prepare for disruptive events can cripple your organization when disaster strikes and even endanger its very survival. Avoiding Disaster provides the contingency planning methods managers must have to cope with catastrophes-natural disasters, man-made events, or technological calamities alike.

In these uncertain times, it's especially important that you be ready for whatever comes. In the event of a disaster, managers must engage policy directives that are clear, unequivocal, and directed for maximum beneficial effect. As case studies within the book illustrate, quick, decisive, and well-reasoned management is the single most important ingredient for survival in a crisis. This valuable resource offers expert guidance and thoughtful advice about planning for and dealing with worst-case scenarios, ensuring that your business or organization will survive no matter what happens.

You might think that your organization-especially if you manage a large company-could not be significantly affected by any one event. But often, a disaster spirals out of control to bring down an organization that would have survived if it had been ready. In fact, any organization can be undone by a catastrophe if the proper steps aren't taken in advance. And if everything falls apart, it's managers who'll ultimately pay the price. So in order to protect your organization and your job, you must assess threats, prepare for them, and move quickly when the worst case scenarios start to play.

Whether you manage a Fortune 500 company, a government agency, or a not-for-profit, Avoiding Disaster offers the tips, tools, and techniques you need in times of duress. You'll develop the plans you'll need for any contingency and know which events you should be prepared for, what training your employees need, and which supplies you should have on hand before the event. You'll learn how to limit the damage done to employee, consumer, and stockholder confidence when things go wrong, and know that you can lead effectively when leaders are needed most.

During a crisis, the worst thing a manager can do is not know what to do. You won't have time to debate, but you will have time to act if you're already prepared. With Avoiding Disaster on your bookshelf, you'll find the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're ready for anything.