Imagine you cannot work for the next two weeks. Tomorrow’s appointments are still on the calendar. A customer is waiting for a callback. Payroll is due Friday. Who knows what to do?
For a very small business, the most important backup may be someone who can keep things moving when you are unavailable. November’s holiday schedules and winter weather make this a useful moment to find out where everything still depends on you.
Start with these five questions. Use each answer to identify a practical backup.
What if you are unavailable? Could someone find the job schedule, contact customers and arrange payroll? Choose a trusted person and document the essentials. Set up appropriate account permissions in advance so helping does not depend on borrowing your login. If you work alone, decide who could contact customers and reschedule commitments.
What if a key employee is out? Does only one person know how to order materials, prepare an invoice or close the shop? Have that person walk someone else through the task, then let the backup do it. A checklist is more useful when another person has actually followed it.
What if a supplier or vehicle lets you down? Which missing item would stop tomorrow’s work? Identify an alternative supplier or equipment rental option now. Check availability and requirements before assuming a phone call will solve the problem.
What if your software stops working? Could you still find tomorrow’s appointments and customer contact details? Keep an appropriately secured fallback for essential information.
WIRED’s backup guide recommends keeping local and remote copies of important files and practicing recovery before you need it.
What if customers cannot reach you? Choose another way to communicate if your usual phone or email is unavailable. Decide who will update customers, explain delays and provide the next update. Avoid promising a restart time you cannot support.
BBB’s
“Honor promises” accreditation standard states: “Fulfill all contracts, commitments, and representations.” Preparing for disruptions can help a business meet that commitment.
This week, choose the question that made you hesitate. Write down the backup, who will handle it and where the information lives. Then try it while you are available to help.
BBB’s disaster preparedness guidance recommends practicing plans regularly.
Your first goal is simple: make one essential part of your business less dependent on you being there.
Sources
Better Business Bureau — Disaster preparedness (Oct. 7, 2025) Better Business Bureau — Accreditation standards WIRED — How to Back Up Your Digital Life
