Stronger together: Relationship-building during a disaster

Disasters will happen and unfortunately there’s no avoiding the crises they bring in their wake. For small businesses, disasters can be devastating, with many finding themselves unable to operate. 

Relationships can be key during a disaster to maintain resilience and business continuity. Being able to lean on neighbours, friends, family, suppliers, customers, and the community for support can make a major difference. They can help provide resources, recovery assistance, emotional support and innovative solutions. With this assistance, businesses are better placed to recover and rebuild more effectively. 

When the 2022 floods hit Northern NSW, Invercauld House, a local conference and retreat centre, became an unlikely hero for local small businesses in need. The business pivoted to providing safe, functioning space for local businesses left without power or premises. 

Small businesses, essential services, and community organisations found a temporary base at Invercauld House.  Rooms were shared, tables were borrowed, and privacy took a backseat - but no one minded.  

That spirit of community left a lasting impression. Staff felt proud to be playing a role in the recovery, and the bonds formed during that time have carried on well past the crisis. 

We spoke with the manager of Invercauld House, Eli Fuller, who had some advice for small businesses:  Build relationships before disaster strikes. “Knowing your neighbours and having those connections makes a huge difference when things go wrong. When you’ve got those connections in place before disaster strikes, you’re already a step ahead. You can share information, resources, and support when it really counts.” 

And a practical tip? “Back up your data to the cloud. If you are dealing with flood waters or can’t access your building, at least you can access your files, contacts, and systems. It gives you one less thing to worry about.” 

For support on disaster preparedness and recovery, please visit: 

Disaster preparedness resources 

• Get ready business: five-step guide to preparing for disasters 
  A practical toolkit that helps businesses prepare for disasters in five simple steps, addressing risks like floods, fires, and cyber threats.  
• Prepare for the unexpected - build a business continuity plan 
  This guide provides templates and checklists to help businesses create a continuity plan, ensuring resilience during disruptions.  
• Guides to help you prepare for and recover from disaster 
  A collection of resources offering strategies for disaster preparedness and recovery, tailored for small businesses.  

Disaster recovery resources 

• Get back to business - a guide to recovering from disaster 
  A step-by-step guide outlining the five phases of disaster recovery, complete with action checklists and case studies. 
• Disaster recovery - preparing to get back to business 
  This resource offers detailed guidance on long-term recovery planning, including infrastructure improvements and financial preparedness. 
• Guide to making insurance claims 
  Helps you prepare your insurance claim and manage the claims process so you can get paid quicker after a disaster or disruption.