Power Producers: How NOT to Kill Your Business with Erika Andresen

In this episode of The Power Producers Podcast, David Carothers and co-host Kyle Houck interview Erika Andresen, Business Continuity Expert at EaaS Consulting. Erika shares her expertise in business continuity planning for disasters and business interruptions. She highlights the importance of preparing for communication loss, and developing a 12-week plan to secure your business. Listen and learn how EaaS Consulting can help you prepare for unexpected disruptions.  Episode Highlights: Erika shares her background which includes time as a corporate lawyer, a decade in U.S. Army Jag Corps, and a Master’s degree in Emergency Management. (1:01) Erika discusses her passion for educating and empowering business owners about business continuity and how it can keep their dream alive and enhance the community. (6:38) Erika shares her sources of referrals for business continuity consulting services, including personal connections and LinkedIn contacts, and the challenges of outreach to business owners. (11:36) Erika explains that disruptions can come from natural events, but also from single points of failure such as a key piece of machinery going out or a key leader leaving. (18:07) Erika mentions that the SEC is upgrading its regulations on cybersecurity and material breaches for publicly traded companies, and the expectation is that every company will have some form of cybersecurity in place. (21:16) Erika discusses the importance of exercising and training a continuity plan, and how having one without using it is worthless. (27:06) Erika shares the importance of preparing for communication loss during a disaster, the unreliability of assuming cell phone usage, and the need to exercise plans to identify weaknesses. (33:11) Erika explains that it is important to have a home continuity plan, conducting a home inventory, and storing information in the cloud. (37:18) Erika discusses a 12-week business continuity plan for those who want to develop a more sophisticated plan, and the importance of dedicating time to it. (42:41) Erika shares what led her to write a book on business continuity and how it can help others secure their business. (46:26) Tweetable Quotes: “I'm going to impart my fingerprint by educating business owners about how to keep their dream alive because everybody has a mission to serve the community. And their service, their product, whatever it is, enhances the community, makes the community more resilient, makes the community better just to be in.” - Erika Andresen “Having a business continuity plan or program is an asset. And at a certain point, you have to spend money to make money, you already know that this is spending money to continue to make money.” - Erika Andresen “I care about making money, but not at the expense of your displeasure at me not being able to deliver a product and my frustration at you not putting in the effort that's required for your dream. It's your dream. It's your business. Invest in it, please.” - Erika Andresen Resources Mentioned: Erika Andresen LinkedIn EaaS Consulting David Carothers Kyle Houck Florida Risk Partners The Extra 2 Minutes