BUSINESS RESILIENCE PLAN TEMPLATE
By The Timely Entrepreneur Resource and Research Centre

1. Business Overview

– Company Name:
– Date Prepared:
– Prepared By:
– Key Stakeholders (Name/Role/Contact):

2. Risk Assessment

Identify potential threats and their impact (High/Medium/Low).
(Customize with risks specific to your industry.)

3. Critical Business Functions

List essential operations that must continue during a disruption (rank by priority).
1. Payroll & Employee Support
2. Customer Service/Communication
3. Inventory Management & Order Fulfillment
4. IT & Data Security
5. Financial Operations (Cash Flow, Invoicing)

4. Resilience Strategies

A. Financial Resilience
– Maintain 3–6 months of operating cash reserves.
– Diversify funding sources (e.g., lines of credit, grants).
– Cut non-essential costs (identify these in advance).

B. Operational Resilience
– Cross-train employees for critical roles.
– Backup suppliers (list 2–3 alternatives for key inventory/services).
– Remote work capabilities (tested and ready).

C. Customer & Communication Plan
– Crisis messaging templates (for email/social media).
– Key contacts list (customers, vendors, media).
– Loyalty retention strategies (e.g., discounts for long-term clients).

D. Technology & Data Backup
– Cloud-based systems for remote access.
– Weekly data backups (stored off-site/encrypted).
– Cybersecurity protocols (e.g., VPNs, MFA).

5. Emergency Response Plan

Step-by-step actions for immediate crises (e.g., fire, cyberattack, sudden lockdown).
– Step 1: Activate crisis team (list names/roles).
– Step 2: Secure people/assets (evacuation, IT shutdown).
– Step 3: Communicate with stakeholders (use pre-drafted templates).
– Step 4: Switch to backup systems (e.g., remote work, alternate suppliers).

6. Recovery Roadmap

How to restore normal operations post-disruption.
– Short-term (0–7 days): Resume critical functions (e.g., payroll, customer support).
– Medium-term (1–4 weeks): Rebuild inventory, assess financial damage.
– Long-term (1–6 months): Revise strategy based on lessons learned.

7. Testing & Maintenance

– Quarterly drills (e.g., mock supply chain disruption).
– Annual plan review (update risks/strategies).
– Employee training (new hires, refresher courses).

8. Resources & Support

– The Timely Entrepreneur’s Resilience Toolkit (templates, webinars).
– Local emergency contacts (e.g., IT support, backup suppliers).
– Insurance policies (review coverage annually).

Get Started Now
✅ Book a private consultation to customize your plan.
✅ Join our ***Resilience Workshop to stress-test your strategy.

“The best time to prepare was yesterday. The second-best time is NOW.“

This template is designed to be practical, actionable, and adaptable for businesses of all sizes—especially entrepreneurs and small businesses.