How to Create a Crisis Management Plan in Less Than 1 Hour

Crisis management isn’t just for big corporations. If you're a small business owner, having a plan in place can be the difference between staying open or shutting down during a disruption. Whether it's a wildfire, street closure, cyberattack, or a food safety issue, you need to be ready—and you can be. In under an hour.

Why Act Now? Think back to the early days of COVID-19. Businesses without a plan scrambled. Inventory delays, remote work challenges, and customer confusion became the norm. Around 34% of small businesses didn’t make it through. But the ones that did? Many had a plan—or quickly created one.

Don’t let the next crisis catch you off guard. Here’s how to prepare fast.

Step 1: Build Your Crisis Team – 10 Min.

Start by assembling a small group—your manager, shift lead, bookkeeper, or even a trusted vendor. Keep it small and nimble. These are the people who will help make quick decisions when things go sideways.

• Goal: Choose 3–5 people who know your business well.

• Tip: Assign one as the leader or point of contact during a crisis.

  
  

Step 2: Identify the Likely Crises – 15 Min.

What could realistically happen to your business? Keep it simple. Pick the top 3–5 most likely scenarios based on your location, industry, and past experiences.

Examples:

• Street closures that limit customer access

• Supplier delays or inventory shortages

• Cyberattack or data breach

• Severe weather or power outages

• Staff shortage due to illness or emergency

  
  

For each, jot down:

• What could happen

• How it would affect operations

• How long it might last

  
  

Step 3: Define Who Does What – 10 Min.

Now, assign roles. Who calls the suppliers? Who updates the website? Who talks to the press or customers?

• Appoint someone to declare a crisis and activate the plan.

• Create a quick chain of command so responsibilities are clear.

• Include backups in case someone is unavailable.

  
  

Step 4: Create a Quick Communication Plan – 10 Min.

In a crisis, silence creates confusion. Your job is to keep everyone informed—fast.

• Name a spokesperson for both internal (staff) and external (customers, press) communication.

• Prepare 2–3 sample messages you can adapt for email, social media, or text alerts.

• Keep language clear, calm, and reassuring.

• Designate someone to monitor social media and respond to comments.

  
  

Step 5: Store, Share, and Revisit the Plan – 15 Min.

You now have a mini crisis management plan. Final steps:

• Save it somewhere easy to access (Google Drive, Dropbox, or printed in a binder).

• Share it with your entire team—everyone should know the basics.

• Put a reminder on your calendar to review and revise it quarterly.

  
  

Final Thought: You’re Ahead of the Game Creating a plan doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. In under an hour, you’ve taken a major step to protect your business, your employees, and your future. Whether it’s a minor disruption or a major emergency, you’ll know what to do, who’s in charge, and how to keep moving forward.

✅ Pro tip: Add your crisis plan to your employee handbook or onboarding materials so everyone’s prepared from day one. #crisismanagement #emergencyplanning #bestpractices #businessplanning