Water, Batteries and TP

This month is shaping up to be an active one for hurricanes. I happened to be in Jacksonville when Fay blew in (only a tropical storm) and she managed to shut down the town, close stores, and send rain and debris flying sideways in heavy winds all day and night. Midway in the second day of training the chandelier in the meeting room sprung a leak, showering water all over the table with all the AV equipment.

The hotel was very accommodating, but with all the rain and humidity, (and being Florida) when I got wet, it was almost impossible to dry out, even overnight. My one pair of comfortable shoes were soaked inside and out, and never did dry out over the three days I was in Jacksonville. Everything in the hotel room seemed damp, and I swear the bottomof my socks were wet when I walked on the carpet.

I made it out of Jacksonville and finally dried out, but now there are three possible hurricanes out in the Atlantic, all three with "cones of concern" projected to come up the eastern seaboard. Here we go again. Rain, damp, light fixtures that become upside-down fountains. Now, at home, we are urged to prepare for the worst, and go out and stock up on a few essentials -- bottled water, batteries and, most essential, toilet paper. On my trip to Sam's Club today, I was able to get all three, and a few other things on the survival list. Interesting how survival comes down to a shopping list of items that are so commonplace that we don't think of them when the sun is shining and there are no swirling masses on the weather map with names like Fay, Katrina and Hugo.

When disasters loom at work, what is on your list of survival items? Without electricity, lights, and air conditioning, what would you use to keep things going? Once when the electricity went out at the Resort where I was working, the servers at the restaurants had to write up manual tickets, make change (without the registers telling how much to return), and wash dishes by hand. We found out how unprepared our employees were to handle simple tasks like legibly writing up tickets, doing simple math to add up charges, figure sales tax and make change. And how unaccustomed they were to rolling up their sleeves and take on the unpleasant and repetitive task of washing dishes quickly in order to reset tables and take care of customers. Essential skills like math, writing, and innovation are often overlooked in employee training, but like water, batteries and toilet paper, they can surely keep you going when the lights go out (and the electricity is off). Working Smart means being prepared for whatever comes down the pike. How prepared is your workplace? What's on your "Essentials List?"