Approach Group. and M. Beacon Enterprises Announce Strategic Partnership to Provide End-to-End Business Continuity Planning
Consulting firms Approach Group Inc. and M. Beacon Enterprises LLC announced a strategic partnership to deliver comprehensive business continuity consulting services. Combining Approach Group's healthcare and IT, and M. Beacon Enterprises' business process and organizational effectiveness services, these two companies now offer solutions that meet the urgent needs of businesses preparing for the H1N1 Pandemic and other natural and man-made emergencies.
Traditionally, most companies focus on data and systems for their emergency preparedness and business continuity. Approach Group and M. Beacon Enterprises also address the human and organizational implications of emergencies. Their contingency planning models and software tools allow flexibility in response to small- and large-scale emergencies, allowing organizations to respond quickly and maintain operations.
"Most organizations understand the importance of continuity and have plans to maintain their IT systems, infrastructure and essential data," says Jasper Reid, Approach Group's president. "Surprisingly, however, many do not have the same practiced approach to the rest of their operations during times of crises."
The US Department of Health and Human Services advises that "planning for pandemic influenza is critical," and that "businesses and other employers will play a key role in protecting employees' health and safety as well as limiting the negative impact to the economy and society." WHO predicts the H1N1 pandemic will reemerge late in 2009, infecting up to 60% of the U.S. population. This is expected to have a significant impact on businesses as their staff, suppliers, and customers keep high percentages of workers at home.
"Through a combination of web-based tools and targeted consulting services, we help organizations respond very quickly to emergencies such as the H1N1 pandemic, natural disasters, financial system crises, and cyber threats," says Tara Rethore, president of M. Beacon Enterprises. "Our approach is simple, tested, tailored to an organization's specific needs, and incorporates existing emergency preparedness plans."
This solution integrates fundamental process steps with clearly defined roles, specific individuals, and institutional knowledge. The web tool allows it to be kept up-to-date and accessible to employees in multiple locations, ensuring that in a crisis everyone knows what to do and how and when to do it.