Few SMEs have continuity plans

Few small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK are prepared to bounce back in the event of a business disruption, it has been revealed.

SunGard Availability Service's Bouncebackability index has found that as consumers, four out of five businesses would switch to another supplier if they could not get goods or services immediately.

Despite this, the index also found that only a third of SME managers are taking steps to ensure that their businesses can operate normally in the event of business disruption.

Keith Tilley, managing director of SunGard Availability Services, said: "Business continuity planning should be a key area of concern for small business owners."

"Companies cannot afford to be out of action for any extended period of time, as they risk losing customers in the short term and damaging their reputation in the long term."

The index also discovered that 45% of SMEs would suffer total or severe impairment in the event of a power cut or flood.