The head of the Small Business Development Center, Dr. Susan McCartney, has illuminated the array of challenges businesses might face due to the impending eclipse. She also discussed the importance of finding the golden mean in these unusual times.
Dr. McCartney suggests businesses establish rules about observing the eclipse during work hours to contain distractions while allowing employees to participate in this momentous event. She also highlighted heightened safety measures, particularly for outdoor or heavy machinery businesses.
Dr. McCartney added that secure and thoughtful planning and open dialogue are the recipe for weathering these hurdles without sacrificing productivity.
She also focused on potential technology breaches. McCartney advised businesses to consider creating an emergency plan, which could include computer shutdowns during the eclipse to safeguard crucial data. In addition to the usual data backups and secure networks, she recommended workforce training for such foreign threats.
Moreover, she advised businesses to prepare for physical space disruptions due to eclipse distractions, which could create a possibility for deception, such as customers leaving without settling their bills. A direct drop in efficiency due to staff neglecting their duties is a possible consequence.
Planning for eclipse: A guide for businesses
External factors such as traffic jams and electric power failures can exacerbate disruptions, making business preparedness vital.
Despite these challenges, McCartney showed a brighter side: the unique event’s value for the employees. She suggested retail businesses pause operations, letting them witness the miracle briefly. However, she stressed not leaving the premises unattended and conveying clear instructions.
McCartney emphasized that well-grounded planning would lead to the effective execution of these unprecedented events, ensuring the least disruption of normal operations.
McCartney’s advice inspires businesses to allow their workers to cherish the unusual event; she also guides firms to secure their interests. The advice underscores the importance of business flexibility and comprehension of their employees’ rare participation. She concluded that these guidelines would lead to a harmonious work environment, fostering a more accommodating culture.
