Leading People Through Disasters: An Action Guide: Preparing for and Dealing with the Human Side of Crises

I highly recommend this book by Kathryn McKee and Liz Guthridge for three important reasons. 1. An Action Guide: It's a good, basic how-to book - a practical guide backed up by the authors' first-hand experience dealing with disasters within large corporations, allowing them to understand the broader ramifications these kinds of events have on an organization. 2. Deals with the "Human Side": There is a lot of business continuation information out there, mostly about data prevention loss. But backing up all the computer systems in the world will not back up the people who use them. Ms. Guthridge and McKee make it abundantly clear that people are an integral part of business survival success and what to address in order to accomplish their, and thus the company's, productive continuation. 3. Geared toward Human Resources: Including Human Resources in the writing of business continuation plans is too rare. To be successful plans need full participation from all the traditional support functions in an organization. This book brings in that dimension, demonstrating how and where HR participation is relevant and the part it can play in the process. This is a book filled with lessons-learned, knowledge and wisdom that the authors have generously offered up and invite you to use at will. Please take them up on it. Kudos and Thanks to Liz and Kathryn!

There are two things that make this book outstanding. 1. The authors' credibility based on their real-life experiences. Between the two, McKee and Guthridge have experienced two earthquakes, a steam pipe explosion that involved asbestos and the city riots during the Rodney King trial. Their crisis plans - informed by their experiences - helped employees through the World Trade Center bomb explosion and 9/11. So they know what they're talking about. 2. It is practical. It even includes sample disaster preparedness plans, sample company emergency instruction wallet card, sample response procedures and tips for small companies. This book has a large amount of critical information for a small price.