Preparing for the Unexpected
ALEX FULLICK, MBCI,CBCP,CBRA,ITIL,CORS,cABCF,ISO22301,Author
Preparing for the Unexpected is about how people, organizations and communities plan, prepare, test, communicate and respond to sudden unplanned events such as natural and manmade disasters and crises. The show is for everyone who wants an understanding of how plans are created for individuals, organizations and communities and for anyone who wants to know what they can do in their own lives to help protect themselves from unexpected events.
There is a myth that disasters happen to others but in reality, they happen to everyone. It's just a matter of when and how well-prepared you are. The greater the level of awareness, communication and knowledge, the quicker one bounces back from adversity.
The overall aim of Preparing for the Unexpected is to reduce the suffering, effects and impacts caused as a result of disasters and unexpected life events by increasing knowledge and awareness of Operational Resilience, Business Contingency, Disaster Planning, Crisis Management, and related activities.
There is a myth that disasters happen to others but in reality, they happen to everyone. It's just a matter of when and how well-prepared you are. The greater the level of awareness, communication and knowledge, the quicker one bounces back from adversity.
The overall aim of Preparing for the Unexpected is to reduce the suffering, effects and impacts caused as a result of disasters and unexpected life events by increasing knowledge and awareness of Operational Resilience, Business Contingency, Disaster Planning, Crisis Management, and related activities.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 23, 2020 • 57min
COVID-19: Pandemic Planning Phases and Your Re-Entry Plan
This is the first episode in an ongoing monthly discussion about Covid-19 with internationally recognized industry expert, Regina Phelps. In this episode we'll talk to Regina about the Seven Phases of Pandemic Planning, which we can all use to help get our organization's on track to prepare for, respond to, and recovery from the current pandemic situation. We'll also talk about the first 5 steps of Re-Entry Planning that organizations need to consider when they want to get their operations back to some semblance of 'regular' activity once the Covid-19 Pandemic is over. There's actually 10 Step to Re-Entry Planning, so this episode will be the 1st of a 2 part discussion. It's a highly informative episode no one should miss.
Apr 16, 2020 • 56min
California Wildfire: Lessons Learned by EBMUD
Each year, California is hit by wildfires, impacting communities, organizations and people. October 2019 was no exception and by all appearances, seemed to be one of the worst years on record. We talk once again to Julia Halsne, who is responsible for the Business Continuity Program and East Bay Municipal Utility District’s (EBMUD) Business Continuity Program. Julia will share with us how EBMUD prepared for the ongoing wildfire season and the lessons learned before, during and after the disaster. Julia will also share with us a plan they devised ahead of time that helped EBMUD face the oncoming wildfire season; the Mitigation Plan. Lots of lessons to be learned and a show not to be missed.
Apr 2, 2020 • 58min
Resilience: It's Not About Bouncing Back
When a disaster or crisis strikes, the wish of many organizations is to bounce back from the situation. However, Resilience is not about bouncing back, it's so much more. We talk with best selling authors Jennifer Eggers & Cynthia Barlow and their international best selling book Resilience - It's Not About Bouncing Back. Cynthia and Jennifer will talk to us about where our resilience comes from and how we can make ourselves and organizations, resilient. Jennifer and Cynthia will also give us insight on where resilience comes from; it's not what you might think. A truly enlightening episode on Resiliency not to be missed.
Mar 19, 2020 • 53min
Cyber Exercises That Prepare You for the Impacts of a Cyber Incident
According the our guest this week - Regina Phelps - Cyber Incidents are what 'keeps CEOs and Executives up and night'. Regina will talk to use about how to design an exercise to help prepare your organization for the real impacts of a cyber threat; from various types of exercises to exercise designers and multiple 'injects' to ensure participants really feel the impacts of a cyber threat. Regina is a well-known and respected BCM/DR/Cyber Threat expert and has designed and facilitated 1000's of exercises that help organizations prepare for unexpected disaster impacts. Tune in to hear some of the great tips Regina has to pass along to ensure your organization is prepared for the impact of a cyber incident.
Mar 12, 2020 • 57min
The BCI - US Chapter Overview & Resilience Discussion
The Business Continuity Institute (BCI) is one of the premier promoters of BCM/DR/Resilience training and practices around the globe and that includes in the United States. We talk with the current President of the BCI US Chapter, Alice Kaltenmark, to talk about the benefits of the BCI US Chapter and some of the new initiatives planned in the coming months for the BCI overall. Alice will also talk to us about how the BCI promotes communication amongst professionals through various methods of Lessons Learned, certification, contribution and volunteer opportunities, all while sharing some insightful ideas and thoughts on resiliency and the industry overall. A very informative show you won't want to miss.
Feb 27, 2020 • 56min
Change Your World: The Science of Resilience
The billion dollar self-improvement industry always puts the responsibility for change on your shoulders. Bu this approach rarely delivers lasting results in our health, well-being and resilience. We talk with renown resilience expert, Professor Michael Ungar. Michael will talk to us about resources that can make us resilience and by extension, help our organizations and communities become resilient. Michael will share real-world personal stories and share with us the main principles that define resiliency. Michael will share a few laughs with us along the way and we'll find out what we may be overlooking with regards to resiliency in our workplaces, communities and ourselves. It's a very informative and eye-opening look at the science behind resilience.
Feb 20, 2020 • 56min
Investing in a Frameworkd for Organizational Resilience
A resilient organizational is something all companies should work towards. We talk to Ed Matley from PWC, who will talk to us about 'Investing in a Framework for Organizational Resilience' a topic he presented at the May 2019 Continuity & Resilience Today conference in Toronto. Ed will talk to us about such topics as: the visible outcomes and benefits for resilience, why Organizational Resilience matters, who should be part of resilience initiatives and discuss some of the frameworks that are available to organizations to help guide them on their journey of resilience.
Feb 13, 2020 • 58min
The Coronavirus with Regina Phelps
The current Coronavirus has many organizations and individuals concerned with what to do and how to respond to the situation. We talk with renown industry expert Regina Phelps to hear what organizations can do to protect their operations and how individuals can protect themselves from the virus. Regina will also dispel some untruths circulating on the internet with regards to masks and the potential of catching the virus. Regina shares her extensive expertise; it's a show not to be missed.
Jan 30, 2020 • 53min
Business Resilience is VItal for Success and Survival
Resilience. This is something all organizations strive towards but not everyone understands. We talk with resiliency industry expert, Caitlin Durkovich. Caitlin will talk to us about what drives resiliency programs and what questions to ask to determine if you really are working towards a resilient culture or if you're not quite where you think you are. She will also talk to us about things that might hinder an organization from achieving a resilient status; things that you may not even know is impacting you, such as Biases and 'blind spots'. It's a very interesting show and provides some new insights and perspectives on resilience. Tune in to hear what really makes an organization resilient.
Jan 23, 2020 • 55min
The Art of Crisis Leadership
Say the wrong word or forget to say anything during a time of a crisis can destroy your reputation and that of your organization. It can take many years to get that reputation back on track and that cost of not managing a crisis effectively can have a great impact on your customers, your organization’s finances and even your career. We speak with global crisis leadership expert and author of The Art of Crisis Leadership, Rob Weinhold. Rob will help us understand how we can recognize a crisis and understand the anatomy of a crisis. Once we understand the anatomy of a crisis we can then begin to lead our organizations – and ourselves – through difficult times. We’ll also learn about ‘muscle memory’ and how we can develop this to help our organizations and ourselves become stronger and more resilient when a crisis does occur. Crisis Leadership is an art after all.
