Since the start of 2016, two major snow storms have blanketed much of the country with foot upon foot of snow – bringing some cities to a standstill. With the possibility that more winter storms may be on the way, it’s more important than ever that small businesses prepare in advance.
In Bloomington Illinois, elderly lives are at stake. Jim Aaberg runs a business that provides in-home care for seniors. Some of his elderly clients live alone with no family, so Jim has to make sure he or his caregivers get to them to make sure they have food and heat, say if the power goes out.
“It’s all about planning,” said Aaberg, who pointed out that the price of recovering from a disaster could be significantly greater than the cost of preparation.
Using lessons learned from past snow storms, Jim and his team from SYNERGY HomeCare are proactive rather than reactive. As soon as the first warning of an impending storm, Jim figures out which caregivers might need transportation if public transit is shut down. So there’s no lapse in care for his elderly clients, he rigs company vehicles with snow gear so he can pick up caregivers and take them to clients.
Jim also has cold weather kits prepared, complete with blankets, a flashlight, batteries, water, and snacks for the caregivers to take to clients’ homes should they lose power. And if that’s not enough, Jim even sets up a bed in a spare room in the office so he and his caregivers who live on the outskirts of town can stay there during the storm.
An impending blizzard means moving plans are up in the air for countless new movers in the DC and Baltimore area expecting to transition to a new home or apartment.
Brooke Wilson, a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK franchise owner who owns locations in both cities, says her staff reaches out to scheduled customers well in advance of regular confirmation calls to schedule alternative dates or offer guidance to movers who prefer to “wait and see what happens.”
Assuming roadways are safe, her staff prepares to complete moves, even in wintry conditions. Each mover has snow shovels to clear walkways and floor coverings to prevent tracking snow, mud and dirt into local residences.
And should conditions take a turn for the worse, her teams are equipped with a digital phone system and secure, web-based internet scheduling software that allows her employees to contact new movers with updates even if they can’t get to the office. Brooke’s team is fully equipped to keep all movers and employees safe and up to speed regardless of what happens.
“A lot of business owners don’t think weather is a risk you can manage,” said Wilson. “We like to think otherwise.”
