Building Resilient Communities Through Business Continuity + New Course Alert

Building Resilient Communities in an Increasingly Complex World

The global landscape is increasingly interconnected, where a seemingly isolated event can trigger far-reaching consequences.

Just two weeks ago, the US cybersecurity company CrowdStrike distributed a faulty update that disrupted critical services for banks, airlines, hospitals, and media outlets worldwide. Similarly, the multi-year drought in the Western Cape Province of South Africa revealed the vulnerability of households and businesses, particularly SMEs, to environmental shocks. These incidents underscore the importance of a new approach to business continuity — one that extends beyond your organization's walls and embraces the entire community.

Both these events highlight a critical question for every professional in crisis management: Are you prepared to navigate the complexities of modern-day crises and ensure the resilience of your organization and the community you serve?

Why Is This Relevant?

Your organization isn't operating in a vacuum – it's deeply interconnected with a web of stakeholders that includes your employees, customers, suppliers, local infrastructure, and the wider community. A disruption to any part of this system can have ripple effects, impacting your operations and reputation.

How do you prioritize the resilience of your organization and the community you serve?

That’s where community-centered business continuity comes in. It’s your key to resilience — a more rapid and sustainable recovery after a crisis. When businesses, community organizations, and local government work together, they can pool resources, share information, and coordinate efforts more effectively. By putting this approach into action, you can learn how to build stronger, more prepared communities, protect your organization, and become a trusted professional in crisis management.

Are you ready to take the next step?

Don't wait for the next crisis to strike. Take action now to build a more resilient future for your organization and your community. By working together, we can create a world where businesses, communities, and governments thrive in the face of any challenge.

Explore Crisis Lab's comprehensive suite of courses designed to empower you with the knowledge, skills, and connections you need to navigate the complexities of modern-day crises.

New Course Alert: Struggling with Ethical Questions During a Crisis?

Crisis Lab’s new course on Ethics in Disaster Management is out!

If you’re looking for expert guidance and clarity to address ethical questions in high-stakes situations, this course might be for you.

You’ll gain:

• A solid ethical framework: Grasp the core theories that guide ethical decision-making in crises.
• Insights into specialized areas: Explore ethical considerations on animal welfare, water sanitation, and the management of dead bodies in disaster zones.
• Actionable strategies: Put those theories into practice by exploring real-world case studies, like the NATO bombing campaign and dysentery in post-conflict South Korea
• Confidence in your choices: Acquire the skills to navigate the gray areas and make informed decisions that align with your values and professional codes of conduct.

Have more questions? Learn more about the course here .

New Podcast Episode: BCP Strategies For Building Resilient Businesses, Governments and Organizations

Ever wondered how organizations withstand and recover from disruptions and maintain stability — and how this can be applied in your local communities?

That’s what business continuity expert Alex Fullick reveals in Crisis Lab’s latest podcast episode. He shares how effective business continuity planning is essential for organizations to not only achieve their missions but also mobilize their communities to better respond to the complex, interconnected challenges of the modern world.

Dive into:

• How business continuity supports economic stability, especially in disaster-prone regions
• How you can leverage business continuity planning (BCP) strategies in preparing for and responding to international crises through collaborating among businesses, governments, and international organizations
• Actionable steps for managing supply chain risks and ensuring secure and resilient global trade

Listen on the platform of your choice: Spotify , Apple Podcasts , and YouTube .

What We’re Reading…

• Livelihood Impacts of Drought: Experiences From Households and Business Organizations in Western Cape Province of South Africa. Drought poses significant challenges to households and businesses, impacting livelihoods and economic stability. Proactive measures like water conservation, emergency preparedness, and resilient infrastructure can mitigate these effects, ensuring community and national well-being in the face of water scarcity.
• People-Centred Business Continuity: A Case for Inclusive Design. People-centered business continuity that focuses on inclusivity strengthens civil society by prioritizing human needs in crisis recovery. By fostering stability and collaboration in the face of disruption, this approach enhances societal resilience and contributes to national security.
• Agile Business Continuity Management . Agile business continuity management is not only critical for organizations but also for civil society and national security. In this fast-changing world, being flexible in the face of crises is key for the continuity of essential services and the overall well-being of society.
• Risk Briefing: How Risk Managers Should React to the Microsoft / Crowdstrike Outage. This recent tech outage calls for robust software testing and risk management to safeguard critical operations for businesses, civil society, and national security. Having comprehensive business continuity plans, thorough risk assessments, and transparent communication become necessary to maintain trust and ensure operational resilience in our interconnected world.
• Stakeholders Can Help Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Become Disaster Ready. Stakeholder support is crucial to equip small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the financial resources, business practices, and continuity plans needed to withstand disasters. This collaboration not only strengthens the economic backbone of communities but also national security by promoting a resilient and stable economy.

Looking For a Career Change? Check Out These New Openings:

• Job title: Humanitarian Access Manager
• Job title: Crisis Response Coordinator/Head of Mission
• Job title: Nutrition & Health Programme Manager
• Job title: Chief of Party, USAID/C?te d'Ivoire Strengthening Primary and Community Health Care Activity
• Job title: Administration, Finance and Advocacy Technical Officer

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Helping you to better serve and build more resilient communities,

The Team at Crisis Lab