Companies 'need bird flu plans'

Key personnel must be able to work from home

Companies should take practical steps to minimise the impact of a potential bird flu pandemic on their business, analysts have warned.

Firms should not wait until an outbreak strikes to take action, since they might have very little time to prepare, according to IT research firm Gartner.

A pandemic could limit travel, disrupt supply chains and hit staff attendance, causing an overall business slowdown.

But simple preparation would help firms respond quickly and effectively.

Gartner suggests companies take key steps to protect their operations in the event of a pandemic.

"You don't need to act today," Gartner analyst Dion Wiggins told the BBC. "But you need to plan how to act."

Keep staff informed

Companies in Asia learnt some hard lessons from the Sars outbreak in 2003, where public information was limited and often misleading, resulting in occasional panic and chaos.

It is important people get the right information Dion Wiggins, Gartner

It is essential staff are informed when cases occur and where, so they know where they can travel and where to avoid.

"It is important that people get the right information about what the risks are and how the company is dealing with it," Mr Wiggins said.

Information should be shared via telephone, e-mail and text message or via the company's intranet.

As part of this process, companies must make sure they have up-to-date contact details for all their staff.

Assess contingency plans

The logistical challenges posed by a potential pandemic would be very different from those involved in a terrorist attack, Gartner says.

Retailers could be most vulnerable

"Traditional contingency planning revolves around a case where your infrastructure was taken out of action.

In this case, a company's corporate infrastructure would be in place, but your employees would be unwilling to come into the office or travel."

Firms need to assess continuity plans for keeping their business going, such as whether staff can work from remote locations.

Businesses also need to be aware of what their suppliers are doing and how customers' behaviour will change.

Put someone in charge

A senior executive should be given responsibility for studying the threat posed by bird flu and providing regular updates.

They should work with others in critical areas of the business, such as IT and the supply chain, to ensure the firm can continue to function.

Help staff work from home

A key area, given staff may be unable or reluctant to travel to work.

"It is not practical for everyone to work from home and you need to work out who has the capability to do it," says Mr Wiggins.

Firms can speed up the process by ordering laptops in advance and ensuring computers are configured for work and secure.

Increase online transactions

Shifting sales to the internet can be a complex and difficult business for firms used to face-to-face transactions.

But for some businesses - such as retailers - establishing an online presence may be the difference between survival and collapse.

Gartner says firms must plan well in advance and work out what they can realistically do.