In the latest episode of the Building Better Developers podcast, hosts Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche discuss business continuity, a concept that is often overlooked until it’s too late. They explore the question: What happens when business operations are disrupted? Whether it’s an illness, a vacation, unexpected growth, or even a global crisis, ensuring that a business can continue operating smoothly is essential for long-term success.
What is Business Continuity?
Business continuity is the ability of a company to keep running even when unexpected events disrupt normal operations. Unlike disaster recovery, which focuses on bouncing back after a catastrophe, continuity planning is about avoiding downtime in the first place. For entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and small business owners, this means having systems, processes, and contingencies to keep things moving forward.
As Rob points out, contingency planning isn’t something many small businesses think about until they need it. “We don’t tend to think about it until we get into it,” he says, “and then by the time we’re out of it, we forget about it.” This lack of foresight can lead to unnecessary stress, lost revenue, and even business failure when an unexpected challenge arises.
The Good and Bad of Growth and Stability
Rob and Michael highlight a key challenge they’ve faced recently—unexpected growth affecting stability. Growth is a great problem to have, but it can catch businesses off guard. Hiring new team members, scaling processes, and adjusting to new demands require strategic planning.
Rob shares that his boutique consulting firm, RB Consulting, has had to face this head-on. “We were not as prepared for the growth as we would have liked to be,” he admits. The lesson? If you don’t anticipate growth and put structures in place, scaling can become a bottleneck rather than an opportunity.
Michael echoes this sentiment, sharing his own struggles with hiring at his company, EnvisionQA. “It’s not real easy to just go out and grab someone off the Internet and say, ‘Hey, come work for me.’ You have to find the right people who align with your mission and goals to ensure smooth operations.”
Avoiding Single Points of Failure
One of the most critical aspects of operational stability is identifying and eliminating single points of failure. If one key person or system is the only thing holding a business together, that business is fragile and at risk of significant disruption.
Michael brings up financial security as an example. He recently faced a fraud alert that locked him out of his business bank account. This experience made him realize he was the sole person with access to critical financial tools. “If I were to get hit by a bus, or I were to get sick or go on vacation, are the bills still going to get paid?”
To mitigate risks like this and ensure stability, businesses need to:
- Document key processes and make sure others can step in when necessary.
- Use automation for routine tasks, ensuring payroll, invoices, and customer communications don’t halt.
- Cross-train employees so that no task depends on just one person, ensuring seamless operations.
Planning for Life Events
Maintaining business operations isn’t just about emergencies—it’s also about enjoying life without worrying about work. Rob points out that if your business requires you to be there daily, you’re not running a business—you have a job.
“If my daughter decides she wants to have a baby, and suddenly I’m out for a week being a grandpa, how am I going to keep the business going?” Michael asks. This question applies to all entrepreneurs. Can you take time off without disrupting daily operations? If the answer is no, it’s time to rethink your systems.
Using Automation, Documentation, and Delegation with Business Continuity
The episode circles back to a recurring theme: automation, documentation, and delegation. The hosts encourage business owners to:
- Automate repetitive tasks to minimize manual workload.
- Create clear documentation so that employees or contractors can step in when needed.
- Delegate responsibilities to team members instead of trying to do everything alone.
A practical example they discuss is the podcast itself. Rob and Michael record episodes in advance to ensure content keeps flowing even if they can’t record for a week. The same principle applies to blogs, marketing campaigns, and customer support—businesses should plan and have a buffer to maintain smooth operations.
The Business Stability Challenge
At the end of the episode, Rob challenges listeners to analyze their own business by asking:
- What would have happened last week if you weren’t available?
- What critical tasks would have gone unfinished?
- Who could have stepped in, and how can you make it easier for them to do so next time?
- What documentation, automation, or delegation can you implement to improve overall stability?
By taking proactive steps today, business owners can reduce stress, improve resilience, and create a thriving company—even when life throws curveballs.
Final Thoughts on Business Continuity
Operational continuity is not just about handling disasters—it’s about building a strong, scalable business that can run smoothly even when you step away. Whether it’s an unexpected illness, a surprise growth spurt, or a well-earned vacation, having the right processes in place ensures your business can continue operating successfully.
What steps are you taking to improve stability in your company? Let us know in the comments or at [email protected].
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