Caught Off-Guard

Next on my to-do list was this column, followed by a proofread for the presentation I&m making about collaboration for a netseminar on Oct. 12.

But I sensed all these plans were for naught about a half-block from the office, when I realized the area&s power grid was out. Instantly, my entire schedule was reorganized for me. I had a three-hour notebook battery, but no phone and, horrors, no Internet access. Certainly, it was a mote of inconvenience compared with what the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita continue to face. But it was no less a reminder of how blissfully unprepared many businesses are when it comes to handling the unexpected. Indeed, I remember staring out this same window during the big Northeast blackout two years ago.

The trouble is, being prepared is so boring and, well, predictable. As I write this, our terrific facilities team is carefully reassuring the stability of our various servers—e-mail, editorial production and otherwise. Because they planned ahead, we have a generator on-site now in case things go back down later. We&re on a news deadline, so we have a contingency plan to switch to another location, where we&ll handle production for this print edition, if needed. Later, we&ll analyze what went wrong.

I hope we spend as much time studying what went right.

This, of course, has me thinking about the Congressional investigation into the emergency response to Katrina. I guess we&re looking for some sort of national catharsis. We are so quick to lay guilt, but so slow to praise. Personally, I want to know more about the people who are picking themselves up and the unheralded angels helping the region to recover in spite of itself.

Although disaster planning and business continuity isn&t a pleasant topic, it&s a lot better than the alternative. Wouldn&t it be great if someone could point the finger at you—not to condemn, but to commend?

HEATHER CLANCY, Editor at CRN, reserves the right to change her mind. Contact her at [email protected].