
| 28 January 2025
Using Hubs in Your Business Continuity Planning: A Smart Solution for Disruptions
The winter weather and storms that hit Ireland this January caused significant disruptions for many businesses, shutting down offices and preventing employees from reaching their places of work. For many, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of Business Continuity Planning (BCP)—a backup plan to keep your business running in the face of unexpected disruptions.
While severe weather is a timely example, the need for robust business continuity strategies extends beyond the winter months. BCP is essential to safeguard operations during any crisis, whether it’s a natural disaster, a power outage, or a global pandemic. Proactively planning for unforeseen events—like the closure of your head office or employees being unable to commute—protects productivity, morale, and your bottom line.
Flexible Workspaces: A Key Component of Business Continuity
One key component of an effective Business Continuity Plan is having access to alternative workspaces. This is where the National Hub Network, supported by the Government of Ireland, come in. These flexible spaces can serve as a replacement head office or a close-to-home alternative for employees when their usual place of work is inaccessible. Distributed across the country, there are over 360 locations available through the booking platform www.connectedhubs.ie
Hubs offer a range of options, including private offices for short-term rent and coworking desks, making them ideal for businesses of any size. Whether your team requires a quiet, dedicated space or a collaborative environment, hubs provide a cost-effective, scalable, and ready-to-use solution. Many hubs also come equipped with high-speed internet, meeting rooms, audio visual equipment, hotdesks and amenities such as kitchen facilities and showers, ensuring employees have everything they need to work productively.
Why Hubs Are Essential for Business Continuity
Here are some key ways hubs can support your business during disruptions:
- Replacement Head Office
If your head office becomes temporarily unusable—due to damage, power failure, or a local emergency—many hubs can offer fully-equipped, ready-to-go office spaces to ensure your operations continue seamlessly. - Local Access for Employees
When adverse weather or other disruptions prevent employees from commuting, hubs provide locations closer to home. These spaces are equipped with high-speed internet, meeting rooms, and other necessary facilities, enabling employees to stay productive. - Spaces for Teams
Many hubs offer private office rentals and meeting rooms of varying sizes, providing secure, quiet workspaces for teams that require a dedicated environment. - Flexibility
Hubs offer spaces you can book as needed—daily, weekly, or even monthly. This flexibility allows businesses to scale up or down, adapting quickly to changing circumstances, while still benefiting from the amenities of a traditional office. - Cost-Effectiveness
Minimising costs is crucial during business disruptions. Scoping out hubs in advance and choosing the right price bracket ensures your business has access to affordable, flexible solutions without overpaying to keep operations running.
With over 350 coworking hubs across Ireland, there’s likely a hub near your team, making it easy to implement a practical backup plan for your workforce.
5 Steps to Incorporate Hubs in Your Business Continuity Plan
- Identify Risk Scenarios
Assess potential disruptions, such as head office closures or employees being unable to travel to work. For each scenario, develop an ideal solution, like identifying a secondary office (hub) that can accommodate your team on short notice. - Assess the Risk
Identify which services are critical to your business operations and how they could be relocated if necessary. For example: - Store essential data in the cloud to ensure remote accessibility.
- Plan how to move key equipment, such as printers or telephony systems, to a secondary site.
- Evaluate the minimum internet or cybersecurity requirements needed for your operations at an alternative location.
- Consult with Employees
Engage with your employees to understand their needs. Ask about: - Facilities they require to work efficiently (e.g., meeting rooms, reliable Wi-Fi).
- Factors like caring responsibilities or access to food and showers if they lack power at home (many hubs offer kitchen facilities and showers).
- Their preferred hub locations to reduce commute times during disruptions.
- Identify and Contact Secondary Sites
Research and connect with hubs or alternative locations that could serve as secondary workspaces. Ensure they can accommodate your team and meet your specific requirements, such as cybersecurity measures or the ability to bring equipment. - Confirm amenities like high-speed internet, private offices, and meeting rooms.
- Where possible, set up an agreement with the hub to ensure swift implementation of your BCP.
- Consider arranging team meetings at the local hub to help gain familiarity with the facility and establish a relationship with the hub team.
- Write and Communicate the Plan
Document your Business Continuity Plan clearly and ensure it’s well-communicated to management and employees. Include: - When the plan will be triggered.
- Steps employees need to take during a disruption.
Regular training and updates will help keep everyone prepared.
Conclusion: Secure Your Business with a Resilient Continuity Plan
January’s winter storms may have been a reminder, but having a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan is essential year-round. By integrating coworking hubs into your plan, you can ensure your business remains operational during any disruption—whether it’s a severe weather event, an office closure, or a long-term crisis.
Hubs offer flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solutions to keep your teams connected and productive. From private office rentals to coworking desks, they provide a reliable backup that helps businesses recover quickly and efficiently.
To explore how coworking hubs can strengthen your Business Continuity Plan, visit ConnectedHubs.ie and discover the largest network of hubs across Ireland.
About Connected Hubs & The Irish Hub Network
Launched in 2021, Connected Hubs is a central driver of the Irish National Hub Network, a Government of Ireland initiative aimed at establishing and strategically expanding a network of interconnected Hub facilities throughout the country. Our mission is to harness the full potential of Hubs to make a significant contribution to the revitalisation of Ireland’s towns and villages through the promotion of Hub working. Part of Our Rural Future, Connected Hubs is managed by the Western Development Commission in conjunction with the Department of Rural and Community Development.
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