A well-established food and beverage distribution company needed to further develop its Business Continuity Program (BCP). The identified need included a requirement from the executive team to better safeguard Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) and help ensure customer service and protect the company’s financial future.
MLC & Associates were selected to evaluate the current situation, assess the company’s needs, and improve the BCP. As part of the project, MLC conducted interviews with key personnel, held Business Impact Analysis (BIA) data gathering meetings, evaluated the risk to the organization and four major sites, and provided the company with an extensive BIA and Risk Assessment.
Based on the results of the BIA, MLC then conducted additional brainstorming sessions with each critical department. During the sessions, MLC assisted the client in developing strategies and checklists to build customized Business Resumption Plans, which were designed to help ensure COOP. The process also included creating a roadmap for future program development together with a list of key improvements for the BCP and the company’s daily operations.
Finally, MLC found that the company’s command and control structure needed further development. After evaluating the company’s existing emergency management programs and personnel, MLC developed an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) that included representatives for each key department as well as a communications structure, crisis management plan, and best practices for responding to local and regional emergency events.
MLC completely revamped the client’s BCP and developed Business Resumption Plans for all critical operations in addition to site-specific plans for their essential distribution facilities. The program also included the establishment of a fully developed EOC, incident command structure, alternate staff, crisis communications program, and site management protocols. The program resulted in an increased ability for the company to respond to daily situations more effectively and better communicate on a routine basis.