COLUMNS

When Contingency Plans for Pandemics and Other Disasters Encounter Reality

undefined and VP of Tactical Analysis
Scott Stewart
VP of Tactical Analysis, Stratfor

Mar 24, 2020 | 11:00 GMT

An empty office. Government measures intended to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly impacted the operations of companies and organizations across the globe.

An empty office. Government measures intended to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly impacted the operations of companies and organizations across the globe.

(Monkey Business Images/SHUTTERSTOCK)

Highlights

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  • Organizations that have properly planned and prepared for a disaster have a great advantage over those that have not when disaster strikes. 
  • When contingency plans encounter reality, things will inevitably unfold differently from scenarios used to create contingency plans, so flexibility and creativity will be needed to adapt responses. 
  • Crisis management personnel who are adaptable, flexible and creative in finding solutions to the many problems and challenges that inevitably will surface during a crisis will build much credibility and trust.
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Government measures intended to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly impacted the operations of companies and organizations across the globe. These measures are interrupting or ending business travel, impacting the ability of employees to work together in offices, and complicating and even severing supply chains. Globally, entire industries have nearly ground to a halt, many businesses are shuttered and millions of people are out of work. Because of these conditions, the next few months are going to be extremely difficult for anyone attempting to conduct operations -- especially transnationally. In fact, for many of us, this period may very well prove the most challenging of our careers....

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