Business Continuity and Crisis Management

Continuity Planning for Small and Medium Businesses

Small and medium businesses are especially vulnerable to disruption but often lack time and resources for complex plans. This course provides a practical, simplified approach to continuity planning: identifying critical activities, simple risk assessment, low-cost strategies, a concise plan, communication and testing.

5 days Classroom or live online English

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Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Many small businesses never reopen after a major disruption. You will leave with a simple, workable continuity plan.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Guided plan development, templates, case studies and short exercises.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Identify critical activities and resources
Assess key risks simply
Choose low-cost continuity strategies
Write a concise continuity plan
Plan communication with staff and customers
Test and update the plan

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Small business owners and managers
Office and operations managers
Start-up founders
Family business managers
Advisers to SMEs

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Critical activity analysis
Risk assessment
Strategy selection
Plan writing
Testing

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Why Plan

09:00–10:08SME vulnerabilities
10:08–11:00Case studies
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Case studies (continued)
11:45–12:53Planning approach
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Critical Activities

09:00–10:08Key products and services
10:08–11:00Dependencies
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Dependencies (continued)
11:45–12:53Priorities
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 3Risks and Strategies

09:00–10:08Simple risk assessment
10:08–11:00Low-cost strategies
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Low-cost strategies (continued)
11:45–12:53Suppliers
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 4Writing the Plan

09:00–10:08Plan template
10:08–11:00Contacts and communication
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Contacts and communication (continued)
11:45–12:53IT and data
12:53–14:00Drafting

Day 5Testing

09:00–10:08Simple exercises
10:08–11:00Updating
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Updating (continued)
11:45–12:53Insurance
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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