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When a natural disaster like Hurricane Milton hits, it throws life into chaos. Whether you’re a small business owner, a freelancer, or managing a team, restarting after a hurricane can feel overwhelming. It's not just about cleaning up physical damage but about getting back into the groove of daily operations, checking in on employees, and adjusting to new demands. Here’s a guide to help you get back to business, along with some ways my team at Maria Englehardt Virtual Assistant Services (MEVS) can step in and help take some weight off your shoulders.
1. Assess the Damage
Before diving back into work, take time to assess the situation. If your business faced structural damage, make sure safety checks are done before reopening. Also, consider the mental and emotional toll it took on you and your employees. Everyone’s recovering at their own pace, so it's important to prioritize their well-being too.
How MEVS Can Help: We can handle all the admin tasks of reporting damages, communicating with insurance companies, or notifying clients of delays or closures. This allows you to focus on getting things physically in order.
2. Rebuild Your Workflow
The days after a disaster can be chaotic, and your old workflow may not fit anymore. Be open to adjusting schedules and priorities. Start by identifying the most critical tasks for survival—such as contacting clients, setting up temporary workspaces, and revising timelines for projects.
How MEVS Can Help: Need to reschedule appointments, organize virtual meetings, or update your systems? We can streamline your scheduling process and take over day-to-day admin so that you can focus on rebuilding. If you need CRM updates, social media notifications, or client outreach, we’ve got you covered.
3. Communicate with Your Team and Clients
Transparency is key during recovery. Whether it’s informing your team about new safety protocols or keeping clients in the loop about expected delays, clear communication is crucial.
How MEVS Can Help: We can draft emails, manage communication platforms, and keep your clients updated on any changes, helping you maintain trust and transparency during this time. We can also set up automatic updates for your social media or website to keep everyone informed.
4. Take It Slow—And Delegate!
Don’t rush the process. It's tempting to want everything back to “normal,” but that's often unrealistic. Pace yourself and delegate tasks when possible.
How MEVS Can Help: If admin work is piling up—filing claims, processing payments, or managing customer inquiries—let us take care of it for you. Whether you need a short-term or long-term helping hand, we offer flexible packages that can adjust to your immediate needs, giving you the peace of mind to focus on what matters most.
5. Offer Support to Employees and Yourself
This is a difficult time for everyone. Make sure your team is supported—whether it’s through flexible hours, remote work options, or mental health resources. And don’t forget about yourself! You can’t pour from an empty cup.
How MEVS Can Help: While you support your employees, we’ll handle the heavy lifting on the administrative side. We can take care of the details—tracking hours, coordinating remote workflows, and helping keep the business running smoothly behind the scenes—so you can focus on creating a positive work environment.
6. Plan for the Future
Once you’ve stabilized your business, take some time to review what worked and what didn’t during your recovery process. Building a disaster recovery plan for the future is essential, and learning from Hurricane Milton will help you prepare better for any future challenges.
How MEVS Can Help: We can help you create a detailed disaster recovery plan for your business, ensuring you’re more prepared next time. From digital backups of important documents to communication strategies, we’ll make sure you’re covered. Contact us by clicking here.
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