News/Events

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SPW Releases Research Tool for Community Resilience and Business Continuity Planning

For Immediate Release: January 3, 2011

ALCORN, MS – In partnership with Alcorn State University, SPW is scheduled to publish its study of the ten-year period (pre- and post- Hurricane Katrina) of lessons learned, best practices, operational gaps for business continuity planning (BCP), and disaster recovery among small disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) in Mississippi. The Study covers the period from January 2000 to December 2010, and was funded by the Southeast Region Research Initiative (SERRI).

A nation-wide literature search was conducted for articles, studies, reports and programs that address BCP for SDBs’, resilience, disaster preparedness and lessons learned from previous disasters. Research was also conducted into Mississippi programs that provide BCP support for SDBs, including universities, the private sector, government agencies, and non-profits. SDBs were interviewed regarding their level of preparedness, resource gaps, and recommended support mechanisms.

A most valuable result of this research is the creation of a search-enabled bibliographical database of studies, reports and articles, which for the first time, specifically addresses small and disadvantaged business disaster preparedness and recovery. This database will serve as the foundation for future study by scholars, researchers and as a source of topical information for businesses desiring to create, maintain or expand a business continuity plan and to increase their resiliency. Researchers will find a wealth of topical in-depth original and secondary research to support additional studies in business continuity and resiliency planning. Generalists will be able to review past studies to learn more about BCP and resiliency issues, accounts and procedures. Practitioners will have a source of guidance for creating, expanding or simply maintaining a current business continuity and resiliency plan. The database will be valuable to Federal, State and local government agencies for planning and development of products to assist local and regional community disaster groups.

The Study is scheduled for release in January 2011. Watch for its release on the SERRI website.

Founded in 1997, Small Planet Works focuses in three major service categories - Process Management, Performance Methodologies and Network Technologies and Support.

SPW Completes Landmark Study on Disadvantaged Business Disaster Preparedness

For Immediate Release: November 22, 2010

MEMPHIS, TN – Small Planet Works, Inc. (SPW) completed its landmark, first-ever study of the level of disaster preparedness of Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs). The Study, conducted in conjunction with LeMoyne-Owen College CDC and Tennessee State University, and funded by the Southeast Region Research Initiative (SERRI), investigated the impact of business disruption on SDBs and their ability to deliver goods and services in the supply chains of their prime vendor client base. The Study researched business continuity planning (BCP) from an academic research perspective and from a practical perspective. It developed a pilot set of BCP best practices which can be customized or tailored for other communities; and expanded the awareness of BCP and its impact on community and regional resilience.

The key objective of this research project is to develop mitigation strategies or best practices for business continuity planning which are appropriate and effective for SDM/WBEs. Other supporting objectives of this research project are to: i) study BCP from an academic research perspective and from a practical perspective; ii) develop a pilot set of BCP best practices which can be customized or tailored for other communities; and iii) expand the awareness of BCP and its impact on community and regional resilience. In collaborations with LeMoyne-Owen College and Tennessee State University, this research effort includes a pilot study of SDM/WBEs in Memphis, TN and Nashville, TN. The research will investigate the impact of business disruption on SDM/WBEs and their ability to deliver goods and services to their prime vendor client base. The findings of this investigation will be used to develop a set of mitigation strategies or best practices for business continuity planning for SDM/WBEs.

The Study revealed that at least 70% of SDB respondents did not have BCPs in place and 61% had not conducted a risk assessment. SDBs reported that the lack of funding, know-how, staff and guidance are the most significant impediments to their disaster preparedness efforts. SDBs consider training in developing a BCP critical; however, most training is conducted during their most productive business hours. Only 24% of SDBs have an evacuation plan in place, and at least 52% do not have an alternate site for operations in the event of an emergency or disaster. However, 73% do have business insurance. SDBs receive considerably less information from or coordination with local emergency management agencies (EMA) than do their prime vendor customers. Prime vendors who responded cited concerns with SDBs’ sustainability, response time, and adequate inventories as major risksor consideration in doing business with them. There is a need to improve communication between SDBs and primes around BCP and disaster preparedness

For the full report, click here.

Founded in 1997, Small Planet Works focuses in three major service categories - Process Management, Performance Methodologies and Network Technologies and Support.