Disaster Recovery Vs Business Continuity – What Are The Differences?
Disaster recovery vs business continuity: Which one is important? – The short answer is “Both.” It depends on the situation you are dealing with.
Most companies operate by assuming that their workplaces will maintain their consistent state with changing times. Hence, they try to find comfort in daily routines and rhythm of work. However, there are certain events when a business might face disruption.
Hence, businesses need to have a disaster recovery plan and a business continuity plan in place to ensure that the business recovers faster when it comes across a negative situation.
In this article, you will learn about disaster recovery and business continuity in general. However, the focus of the article will be on the differences between the two. Apart from those differences, we will also discuss the major similarities between them as well. In addition to this, we will, in brief, share with you how each of these works and how to implement them. Hence, to learn more, read on through to the end of the article.
Disaster Recovery Vs Business Continuity – What Are They?
If you want to prepare for disruptions in business, you will need to create various strategies and plans, following which you will be able to ensure that the core business functions are intact. This can help the business to come back faster from the uncertain negative consequences it just faced.
What Is Disaster Recovery?
Amazon Web Services defines disaster recovery as such –
“Disaster recovery is the process by which an organization anticipates and addresses technology-related disasters. The process of preparing for and recovering from any event that prevents a workload or system from fulfilling its business objectives in its primary deployed location, such as power outages, natural events, or security issues.”
To measure the targets of disaster recovery, two factors are taken – Recovery Point Objectives (RPO) and Recovery Time Objectives (RTO). The failures for which companies make disaster recovery plans are mostly larger-scale disaster events. The plan includes various procedures and policies for the company so that it can recover quickly from the disaster by following them.
What Is Business Continuity?
According to the Business Continuity Institute,
“Business continuity is about having a plan to deal with difficult situations so your organization can continue to function with as little disruption as possible. Whether it’s a business, public sector organization, or charity, you need to know how you can keep going under any circumstances.”
You will need a business continuity plan, too, in case of a disaster situation. However, the continuity plan is to deal with the disaster situation so that the organization is able to continue its functioning with little to no disruption.
However, you will need to understand here that a business continuity plan does not work at times of a large program or a disaster, which affects the company a lot. It also does not work when a large number of people are associated with a single plan. Hence, many big companies make business continuity plans for each of their departments. This makes each department implement the plan as per its needs.
Disaster Recovery Vs Business Continuity – Major Differences
| Disaster Recovery | Business Continuity |
|---|---|
| Focuses on restoring access to data and IT infrastructure after the impact of the disaster.Involves the creation of additional safety measures for employees. Here, the company creates safety drills and stays prepared with emergency supplies.Disaster recovery is created for disruptions of higher levels, especially when many personnel are involved.Involves the limitation of abnormal or inefficient functioning of the system.Ensures that the organization can return to full functionality following a disaster situation. | Focuses on keeping the business operations running even during disasters.It consists of plans and procedures on how to continue business operations. The plans also include who should do what at the time of any disruption.Business continuity planning does not work in situations when many people are involved.Involves limitation of operational downtime.Ensures that all the communication methods of the organization continue working during a crisis. |
You can see from this table that both disaster recovery and business continuity are complementary to each other. Businesses need to combine both plans to ensure they are prepared for disastrous events.
Disaster Recovery Vs Business Continuity – Major Similarities
The following are some of the major similarities that you will find between disaster recovery and business continuity:
- Both are proactive strategies that enable a business to stay prepared for uncertain and disastrous events.
- Both plans allow the company to minimize the effects of the disaster before it actually occurs and affects the business.
- Both work quite well in situations of natural and man-made disasters. However, the result of their implementation depends on the situation.
- Professionals need to review both plans on a regular basis, and some of them need revision with the evolving situation of the organization.
How Do Disaster Recovery And Business Continuity Work?
According to the University of Central Florida,
“Having business continuity and disaster recovery plans in place can help companies minimize the consequences of a catastrophic event. They can also provide peace of mind; employees and business owners alike may feel more comfortable in a work setting where there are clear policies for how to respond to disasters.”
To implement these plans for the recovery of the business, the organization needs to create/hire crisis management professionals. These professionals will be responsible for developing and implementing such plans. Apart from that, they are also responsible for evaluating and revising them as per needs and training the employees of the organization to stay prepared.
Final Thought
Disaster recovery vs business continuity: Hope this article was helpful for you in getting a better idea of both of these terms and how they operate in the organizational setting.
Disaster recovery works in situations when the disruption is big and many people are involved. On the other hand, business continuity planning is to ensure business operations are continued in disruptions.
Do you have any more recommendations regarding when and how to implement a business continuity plan and a disaster recovery plan? Share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comments section below.
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Matrix Organizational Structure – What Are Its Pros And Cons?
In a matrix organizational structure, the teams within an organization try to bring different roles within the team together. Doing so, unlike a traditional hierarchical structure, they develop a grid-like reporting structure. Basically, the organization combines two or more structures from within. Here, both the traditional hierarchy of management as well as inter-department management is combined. In this article, you will learn in general about a matrix organizational structure and how it works within an organization. In addition to this, we will also discuss the major pros and cons of this organizational structure. Apart from that, we will also discuss the major roles within a matrix organizational structure. Hence, to learn more about such an organizational structure, read through to the end of the article. What Is A Matrix Organizational Structure? The matrix organizational structure basically combines two or more kinds of organizational structure. For example, let’s say you combine project management and functional management. According to Indeed.com, “Additionally, the matrix structure is composed of both a traditional hierarchy of management, where employees are managed by a functional manager, as well as additional project managers who can manage employees across different departments. These two or more managerial systems intersect on a grid or matrix.” In this organizational structure, different management styles are used - where the functional management as well as the divisional management are combined. Here, functional management consists of the traditional hierarchical structure based on the job function and the organization’s department. On the other hand, a divisional manager is the one who presides over the cross-functional team, which consists of representatives of both teams. An organization with a matrix structure has team members reporting to different managers. There might be a hierarchical manager while the team members may also have to report to their project manager. This type of structuring is important for companies trying to create new products without the hassle of realigning their teams. The matrix organizational structure combines the functional and the divisional managers. This helps the work processes to be done faster. According to the Wall Street Mojo website, “In a matrix structure, team members provide information to a project leader and their department head. This management structure might assist businesses in developing new goods and services without reorganizing teams.” The matrix organizational structure was started in the aerospace industry. This was the time when many firms wanted to get into a contract with US Government employees. They needed to create certain charts that show the structure of the project management team. How Does A Matrix Organizational Structure Work? This structure is best understood with the help of an example. According to ChartHop.com, “At the simplest level, an example of an organization using a matrix structure would be one that has set functional teams (e.g. Marketing, Sales, Customer Success) as well as more divisional teams with members from different functional areas that work together on specific initiatives.” A common example of a matric organizational structure is Nike. The company has teams that operate the functional management like merchandising and HR, as well as divisional teams that operate based on location, demographics, and product. Companies and their employees can get a lot of advantages with the matrix structure, especially with the ways that they work within the organization. The teams can share knowledge with each other and can make more informed decisions. Apart from that, the best thing that they will have is better morale within themselves. However, there are problems that you can find inside a matrix organizational structure, too. Some of them include conflict, slowdown of processes, lack of clarity, and more. Here’s how a Matrix organizational structure works – The employees report to two managers simultaneously. A functional manager is responsible for their overall role in the department. Their project manager, on the other hand, is responsible for the overall role in the department. The project manager is also responsible for a specific role or a project. When team members report to two different managers, the organization automatically breaks down its structure in a different style. What Are The Pros Of A Matrix Organizational Structure? There are different pros and cons of using Matrix organizational structure. It offers flexibility, adaptability, and advantages when matching changing customer needs. This type of organizational structure helps maintain work efficiency and matches market conditions and strategic goals. By creating cross-functional teams working on different projects, these companies can use the Matrix organizational structure to their advantage. According to LinkedIn.com, “One of the main advantages of a matrix structure is that it allows for more flexibility and adaptability to changing customer needs, market conditions, and strategic goals. By creating cross-functional teams that work on specific projects or tasks, a matrix structure can leverage the diverse skills, knowledge, and perspectives of employees from different departments, and foster innovation and creativity.” The intricacy of the matrix organizational structure is one of its main characteristics. You can see from the above sections that the employees are answerable to two managers - functional and project managers. This is because the allocation of resources is in such a way that the human resources are utilized at their highest. The following are some of the major pros of a matrix organizational structure: The departments are able to coordinate better, as the structure brings highly competent team members from different departments to one place. One of the major characteristics of a matrix organizational structure is that it combines the operational and project management frameworks. The communication between two or more departments gets better with the implementation of the matrix organizational structure. What Are The Cons Of A Matrix Organizational Structure? Like most management structures, the matrix organizational structure also has its drawbacks. Here are some of the cons of the matrix organizational structure that you will need to be aware of: There is a continuous need for clarification for the managers regarding their positions, and there are ambiguities in some cases. Hence, there is always a need to define the power dynamics between managers. Apart from the managers, the teams also need clarification regarding their roles in the structure. The individual team members should have a good idea of what their role is at the functional level and what their role is at the project level. This helps in reducing miscommunication between the members. In some cases, due to the involvement of different teams and departments, the decision-making processes can get a bit longer. Apart from that, time is taken since decisions regarding processes need to be made through two different managers. Hence, processes such as quality assurance slow down due to the presence of multiple supervisors. Read More: Entrepreneur : Who Coined The Term ‘Entrepreneur’? Tips: Use Matrix Organizational Structure to its Fullest Potential If you are planning to use the Matrix organizational structure, it’s best to start by outlining different roles within the project. Here are several tips to try when utilizing Matrix organization structure in an organization to its fullest potential. Manage Expectations While outlining the responsibilities of different roles within the project, the best approach would be to understand the expectations of each manager. A project manager might be expecting the performance of the overall project. On the other hand, the marketing manager might only be concerned with campaign performance. It’s important to manage the expectations of different managers and work accordingly. Keep People Accountable for Their Work The best way to ensure efficient project delivery; it’s important to make people accountable for their work. Workplaces with systems in place to increase engagement in their work can boost accountability. Companies can have a weekly report template for the employees accountable for different tasks. Communication Between Employees and Managers It’s important to keep communication seamless and transparent between employees and managers. There can be a weekly chart outlining the completion of tasks. In addition, the managers should also provide employees with feedback. Companies can do it in person or through chat and communication apps used in the organization. Inter-Department Relationships Projects requiring co-dependencies from different departments often face operational hurdles. It can happen due to a lack of collaboration and inter-team communication. However, it’s important to deepen interdepartmental relationships to avoid misunderstanding during collaboration. Wrapping Up Hope this article was helpful for you in getting a better idea of what a matrix organizational structure is. This structure is best suited for large organizations or organizations that deal with multiple projects. Due to the multiple needs of the organization, the managers can shuffle teams and bring personnel from different departments to work together. The matrix organizational structure helps in better coordination between departments and ensures a better quality of products and services. Do you have anything to add regarding this type of organizational structure? Share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comments section below. Read More: What Is Social Entrepreneurship? – Steps To Become A Successful Social Entrepreneur What Is a Franchise, And How Does It Work? – Examples, Benefits & More What Is A Venture Capitalist, And What Are Their Functions?
Sep 11, 2023
The Resources You Need To Start Your Business
What do you need before launching your business? If you've been working toward it for a while, you might be wondering whether the simpler question is what don't you need? While the run-up to starting your company might feel increasingly frantic as you get closer to opening your doors, whether they are physical or virtual, if you've done your research, have a solid business plan, and have made sure that you have ample supply of the resources below, you should be ready to go. Details About Resources You Need To Start Your Business 1. Knowledge There's really no limit to the amount of knowledge that can be useful to you as an entrepreneur, but at some point, you do have to set aside the research and take those first scary real-world steps. Think of knowledge acquisition as an ongoing thing. There's a reason that some professions have continuing education requirements. It would be best if you never stopped learning about your industry, about business in general, and about ways you can improve. But what about the necessary elements in order to get started? First, you need to know your industry. Ideally, you've already got some experience in it; if not, then you'll have a much steeper learning curve. You can take courses, read books, look at online talks, and chat with other entrepreneurs to help you learn more. You need to know about basic business concepts and structures. This can help prevent a situation where you take a very circuitous path to solve problems that actually have fairly standard solutions. Knowledge really is power, and being well-informed about your industry and the forces that act on it will put you at the head of the pack. 2. Funding Having enough funding is critical for every new business, but you also need to know the types of funding and how much you need. Don't underestimate. Even a home-based endeavor will have costs such as setting up a website, physical or virtual storage and printing up business cards and similar items. There are a variety of funding sources that may be available to you, including loans, grants, and investors. Keep in mind as well that funding can be a staged process. You may need a certain amount just to get up and running, and after that, you can look for additional money that is accessible with the aid of Philippine debit cards. In fact, some loans and grants are only available to entrepreneurs who are already in business. 3. Location And Equipment When you hear the word resources, physical items may be the first thing that you think of, and you can't start your business without a place to operate from and things to help you do your job. If your enterprise is virtual, you still need to carve out a space online and have someplace to work, even if it's only a corner in your house or bedroom. If you're selling a product, of course, you will also need to have that actual product. Some resources will be specific to the type of business that you're running, but don't assume that because you are small, you don't need to have certain tools. In fact, you probably face the same challenges that larger companies do, albeit on a smaller scale. This can be the case for companies that have a small fleet. You might think that just because you only have a handful of vehicles, your fleet management challenges will be smaller. However, fleet tracking for small businesses is just as important as it is for large ones. A great way to simplify your operations and increase efficiency is with GPS tracking. In general, the process of accumulating the necessary equipment can add up to big costs, so you need to carefully evaluate your needs. However, don't make the mistake of trying to skimp on necessary hardware and software. This may look economical in the short run, but it will catch up with you eventually. Read Also: 6 Tips For Growing Your Small Business And Boosting Your Bottom Line 4. People Human resources usually refer to employees, and this is certainly one important element of success if your company is big enough to employ more people than just you. Find great candidates through personal referrals or working with a recruiter, and make offers that will attract top talent. However, people will be useful to you in other ways as well. Finding a mentor with who you can bounce ideas and who can offer guidance is invaluable. People extend to the support systems in your life as well. You'll need both professional and personal support. Are you involved with any local professional organizations? Are your family and friends on board with what you're doing? These sources of support can provide ideas and encouragement and can help keep you on track when your energy is flagging. Read Also: Top Signs Your Boss Is Threatened By You Effective Ways To Track Your Employees’ Work Is Natural Gas Distribution A Good Career Path?
Jan 18, 2023
What Is A Sales And Purchase Agreement For Business? – Let’s Find Out
A sales and purchase agreement for business is a binding legal contract that consists of conditions both the buyer and seller of a business or property agree upon. In any sale process, it is one of the main legal documents. It basically sets out the elements that are agreed upon in a business deal. It also consists of the number of protections of both parties as well as the legal framework for the completion of the sale. In this article, you will learn about the sales and purchase agreement (SPA) and some of its general details. Apart from that, you will also learn about how the sales and purchase agreement works for businesses. In addition to that, we will also discuss the major constituents of a sales and purchase agreement that all the parties in a sales process need to consider. Hence, to learn more about the SPA, read on through to the end of the article. What Is A Sales And Purchase Agreement For Business? According to Investopedia, “A sales and purchase agreement (SPA) is a binding legal contract between two parties that obligates a transaction to occur between a buyer and seller. SPAs are typically used for real estate transactions, but they are found in other areas of business. The agreement finalizes the terms and conditions of the sale, and it is the culmination of negotiations between the buyer and the seller.” In the case of the trading of a product or a service between two parties, there is a need for a legally binding contract that outlines the details of the agreement. This is called the sales and purchase agreement, and both parties (the buyer and the seller) need to sign the agreement contract. Furthermore, neither of the parties will be able to disobey the contract at any cost. Otherwise, it might lead to legal action. However, it is not an obligation for either of the parties to stay on the deal in question if one of them disagrees with the deal. Once both parties sign the agreement, they will need to follow the terms of the translation. Some of the essential things that are present in this agreement include - terms and conditions, purchase price, deposits made, limitations, closing date, contingencies, etc. How Does A Sales And Purchase Agreement (SPA) Work? According to Wall Street Mojo, “The sales and purchase agreement of business signifies the culmination of negotiations between the buyer and seller and restricts them from ditching each other. The two parties mutually agree upon it before signing it and making it legally binding. It does, however, require both parties to read the contract carefully and seek legal counsel before deciding whether or not to sign it or request a revision.” The sales and purchase agreement occurs mostly in real estate deals, stock purchases, mergers & acquisitions, advertising contracts, etc. On the other hand, the constituents of the SPA include its purchase price, settlement date, deposits paid during the negotiation process, limitations, contingencies, and many more. Apart from that, in such an agreement, both parties in the sales process need to agree to the contract after thoroughly reading it. For this, a business needs to obtain legal advice after signing it and requesting a change. The agreement, basically, provides protection to the interests of both parties. Apart from that, it also restricts them from working against each other or moving away after signing the deal. This factor helps in minimizing potential conflicts and helps to forecast demand and costs of business. What Are The Constituents Of An SPA? According to the Corporate Finance Institute, “Essentially, the sale and purchase agreement spells out all the details of the transaction so that both parties share the same understanding. Among the terms typically included in the agreement are the purchase price, the closing date, the amount of earnest money that the buyer must submit as a deposit, and the list of items that are and are not included in the sale.” 1. Asset Identification Here, you will get information about the specific asset that is subject to sale. In the case of a real property, the location and other details of the asset are jotted down. 2. Purchase Price and Conditions It consists of the exchange price of the transaction in question. Apart from that, the agreement also contains details about how much is already paid and how much is left. It also contains information about the way that the deposit is to be made. It also outlines how the buyer will pay the remaining balance of the transaction. 3. Due Diligence There is a section in the agreement that asks the buyer to acknowledge their due diligence in the transaction. It also contains the due diligence period, which might contain additional payments. 4. Covenants/Conditions Prior to Close The agreement also contains the next steps of the transaction process. The conditions here must be in order to make the sales process legally binding. If the parties fail to follow or if there is any inaction, then it amounts to a breach of contract. 5. Damages/Remedies In some cases, the parties need an explanation regarding what to do in case of damage prior to the sale or during the transit of a product. Hence, this section consists of various levels of damages that can occur to the asset. As per each damage, there is a remedy present. Final Thoughts Hope this article was helpful for you in getting to know about the sales and purchase agreement (SPA). A sales and purchase agreement for a business is a legally binding contract that consists of the conditions set by the buyer and seller, which both agree upon. SPAs are mostly common in real estate dealings, in which the item of transaction is large and includes a big amount. The SPA basically consists of various important information about the sales deal that includes the prices of the asset, the sales price, as well as the payment terms of the sales. It also consists of information about the due diligence period and the agreed-upon conditions. Do you have any more info to add? Share your ideas with us in the comments section below. Go For The Best And Latest Business Related Articles By Clicking Below!! What Are Articles Of Incorporation? – Importance, Working, And More Inventory Turnover Ratio: Definition, Formula, Working, And More What Are Articles Of Organization? – Let’s Find Out
Nov 10, 2023
Business Deductions And Tax Planning: Two Critical Steps To Save Money
As the owner of a company, doing tax planning is an essential part of sound financial management. Locating and making the most of all available company deductions is one of the most important aspects of tax preparation. Your overall tax liability will go down as a result of the reduction of your taxable income brought about by deductions. Continue reading to find out about some potential tax write-offs and deductions for your business that you may be overlooking, as well as some suggestions on how you might utilize these opportunities to reinvest in your company. Understanding Businesses Deductions And Tax Planning Steps For businesses are costs that are directly relevant to the running of a firm. When calculating your taxable income, these expenditures may be subtracted from the money generated by your firm. Expenses that are regular and essential, as well as those that are considered capital, may be deducted from a business's income. 1. Locating And Making A Claim For Tax Deductions It is essential to maintain precise records of your company's costs to properly identify and account for tax deductions. The Internal Revenue Service mandates that all expenditures must have supporting paperwork and receipts. Knowing which deductions you are eligible to claim is also very important since certain costs could not be deductible at all. 2. Utilize The Available Tax Breaks The qualifying business income (QBI) deduction allows owners of pass-through businesses to take a deduction equal to up to 20% of their share of the firm's income. However, this deduction is subject to several regulations and limits and does not come without restrictions. Figuring out who is eligible to claim the QBI deduction and then determining the amount of the deduction itself is not a straightforward operation. However, the deduction may offer a large tax break for owners of small businesses. If you believe you could qualify for this, you should discuss it with your accountant. 3. Investigate Different Ways To Cut Down On AGI Your adjusted gross income, often known as your AGI, is a primary factor in determining the taxes that you must pay. For instance, if your adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than $200K, or if you are married, your AGI is less than $250K, then you will not have to pay the extra 0.9 percent in Medical taxes. You may reduce your AGI by the below methods or by lowering your salary: For example, by registering a company in the US we can obtain some benefits. Making contributions to a retirement plan that postpones paying taxes until later. Using the itemized deductions method if your total deductions are more than the standard deduction. Making contributions to a health-related savings account If you have any reason to believe that you will wish to itemize your deductions, you might think about keeping track of them on a spreadsheet throughout the year. 4. Learn To Leverage Tax Credits Tax credits are an additional method that businesses may use to reduce the amount of tax liability they are responsible for paying. Tax credits, in contrast to tax breaks, which lower the level of cash that is subject to taxation for a person or corporation, reduce the percentage of tax that is actually owed by the taxpayer. It is in the best interest of businesses to benefit from tax benefits. Consider the following few options: Credit for work opportunities offered: Access credit for the disabled: Tax breaks for health insurance premiums paid by employers with less than 25 employees 5. Delay Or Accelerate The Receipt Of Income When it comes to their financial records and tax filings, many small firms rely on cash. When using this cash method a business records revenue and costs at the time that the corresponding cash transaction takes place. So, it means records are taken when the cash changes hands. This opens up some intriguing possibilities for tax planning tactics. You could wish to delay receiving income until the next year if you believe that you will be in a reduced tax band the following year. 6. Purchase Assets At The End Of The Year In certain tax years, it can be helpful to estimate the amount of taxes your company will owe, and then to acquire assets, both new and already used, to lower those estimated taxes. 7. Pay Student Loans Of Workers Employers are now permitted to provide financial assistance to their workers in the form of student debt repayment via a clause that was included in the CARES Act 2020. This Act contains a condition that permits companies to claim a tax exemption for repaying employee student loans and eliminates it from employee income, which means that workers do not have to pay required taxes on the money. 8. Work With Independent Contractors If you engage independent contractors or freelancers for any reason linked to your company (for example, taking images of things for your online shop), you can deduct the cost of their services from your taxable income. Before independent contractors begin working for you, you should always make it a point to gather their 1099 forms and ensure that you file them correctly. 9. Reconsider The Type Of Business Entity Your choice of business entity has a big influence on the amount of Taxes You Will Owe. People who are self-employed and must pay self-employment taxes include those who operate their businesses as sole proprietorships, limited partnerships, or certain limited liability companies. If you anticipate that your company will owe a significant amount of money in taxes, one solution to this problem is to restructure your company so that it is treated as a different kind of legal organization. Last Words: Why Is It Important For Businesses To Plan Their Taxes? You are required to pay taxes as the owner of a company, but the amount that you owe should never come as a complete shock to you. It is crucial to understand how company taxes operate and to make estimations of the amount you need to pay each quarter or year to guarantee that you have sufficient funds. Tax planning is something that can help you generate correct tax predictions, make all tax forms and reports on time, and avoid the possible ramifications of not doing so. Planning your taxes properly may help you achieve all of these things. Read Also: How To Start A Logistics Company? An Expert Guide Biggest Stock Market Crashes In The World History 10 Best Investment Apps For 2021
Feb 20, 2023