John Salter’s Blog

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  • Old wine – New bottles

    So on a reflective Friday morning over coffee, I have browsed through some of my early writing – partly for fun, and partly to see how well it still “stands up”.

    It may depend on how you measure it 😂

    From my point of view – and context at the time – they were written as “doctrine developers”. Probes and stimuli, as we explored how to best move from a focus on hazards to a focus on vulnerability. From managing extreme events to managing the conditions and circumstances which give rise to risk.

    I can see at least five heuristic devices I have woven into this chart.
    How many can you see?
  • A reminder – vulnerability is variable

    A wet day at Hazel’s cafe this morning reminded me of one of my free apps – vulnerability is variable!

  • Reputation Risk

    This week gave us a classic story of “ambush by a reputation risk”.

    Newspaper Article
    Compounded by social media

    … for want of a horseshoe nail.

    Map your vulnerability
    Supporting tool FlyingFish Business Continuity App – used here to illustrate business continuity management processes.
    Before Impact
    After Impact
    Plan – Communicate
    Available on Apple and Android
    For those looking for support using our Software as a Service
    We acknowledge and respect Aboriginal people as Australia’s first people and nations, and recognize Aboriginal people as traditional owners and occupants of Australian land and waters.
  • How prepared are you? How prepared ought you be?

    A short story …

    A clever overlay from last year.

    Once upon a time, in the bustling city of New York, there was a small family-owned business named “Lighthouse Marketing”. The business was doing exceptionally well and was generating substantial profits for the family. However, the owner, Mr. James, was always concerned about the future of his business. He knew that life is unpredictable, and anything could happen at any time.

    One fine day, as he was sitting in his office, reading the news, he came across a story about a major hurricane that had hit the east coast of the United States.

    The story talked about how the hurricane had caused widespread damage, and many businesses were struggling to recover from the losses. This story left James feeling uneasy and worried about the fate of his business, should something similar occur.

    How are you at risk? Try our free Disaster Risk Assessor app.

    Determined to avoid such a scenario, James began researching business continuity planning. He spent hours studying and exploring different strategies and scenarios for protecting his business. He started by assessing the potential risks and vulnerabilities that his business could face, including natural disasters, cybersecurity threats, and economic upheavals.

    Free

    Disaster Management Decision Maker is a free tailored version of our Decision Making app. This version is structured as a support tool applying straightforward and methodical steps to help make significant decisions about the best disaster management software solutions for you. Nimbly using criteria-based processes to better evaluate options.

    Free
    Free
    Criteria used in our free Disaster Management Decision Maker App
    Criteria used in our free Disaster Management Decision Maker App

    Based on his research, Mr. James developed a comprehensive business continuity plan that covered all aspects of his business. He used AgileBCP to identify critical business operations that needed to be protected at all costs, such as customer data and accounting records. He also ensured that his employees were well-trained and prepared in the event of an emergency or disaster.

    His hard work and dedication paid off when one day a major power outage hit the city. Most businesses were forced to shut down, but Lighthouse Marketing was still up and running. Thanks to Mr. James’ foresight and planning, his business was able to continue operating even during the crisis. He had put in place the necessary measures to keep the business running smoothly, such as backup generators, cloud-based technology and remote working options.

    From that day on, Mr. James never worried about the future of his business again. He knew that, no matter what the circumstances, his business would be able to weather any storm. His experience inspired other business owners in the city to take similar steps to protect their businesses, and the entire community was better prepared for any potential risks or threats that might arise.

    The end.

  • How prepared are you? How prepared ought you be?

    A short story …

    A clever overlay from last year.

    Once upon a time, in the bustling city of New York, there was a small family-owned business named “Lighthouse Marketing”. The business was doing exceptionally well and was generating substantial profits for the family. However, the owner, Mr. James, was always concerned about the future of his business. He knew that life is unpredictable, and anything could happen at any time.

    One fine day, as he was sitting in his office, reading the news, he came across a story about a major hurricane that had hit the east coast of the United States.

    The story talked about how the hurricane had caused widespread damage, and many businesses were struggling to recover from the losses. This story left James feeling uneasy and worried about the fate of his business, should something similar occur.

    How are you at risk? Try our free Disaster Risk Assessor app.

    Determined to avoid such a scenario, James began researching business continuity planning. He spent hours studying and exploring different strategies and scenarios for protecting his business. He started by assessing the potential risks and vulnerabilities that his business could face, including natural disasters, cybersecurity threats, and economic upheavals.

    Free

    Disaster Management Decision Maker is a free tailored version of our Decision Making app. This version is structured as a support tool applying straightforward and methodical steps to help make significant decisions about the best disaster management software solutions for you. Nimbly using criteria-based processes to better evaluate options.

    Free
    Free
    Criteria used in our free Disaster Management Decision Maker App
    Criteria used in our free Disaster Management Decision Maker App

    Based on his research, Mr. James developed a comprehensive business continuity plan that covered all aspects of his business. He used AgileBCP to identify critical business operations that needed to be protected at all costs, such as customer data and accounting records. He also ensured that his employees were well-trained and prepared in the event of an emergency or disaster.

    His hard work and dedication paid off when one day a major power outage hit the city. Most businesses were forced to shut down, but Lighthouse Marketing was still up and running. Thanks to Mr. James’ foresight and planning, his business was able to continue operating even during the crisis. He had put in place the necessary measures to keep the business running smoothly, such as backup generators, cloud-based technology and remote working options.

    From that day on, Mr. James never worried about the future of his business again. He knew that, no matter what the circumstances, his business would be able to weather any storm. His experience inspired other business owners in the city to take similar steps to protect their businesses, and the entire community was better prepared for any potential risks or threats that might arise.

    The end.

  • Heart, Head, and Gut

    How do you make tricky decisions?

    Liana Finck is one of my favorite artists because she shares her vulnerability.

    Duke it out” immediately focuses on the importance of tensions between different things – in this context, between different decision criteria. For each of us, a key question is “which rules” – or, in this decision making context, what weighting is given to each criterion?

  • “Good” Decision

    How might you make a “good” decision?

    NO
    YES

    Elements of General Approach

    Focus on the things you care about.
    Engage those with a stake in the approach
    Illustrative example of potential decision criteria
    Invite input and reflection
    Cluster like with like to avoid duplication
    Encourage filtering to validate
    Compare criteria to establish the most important – for weighting
    Back of envelope tool (Michigan State University)

    A decision matrix is just one of many tools currently considered “best practice” for good decision-making. It uses a systematic approach to narrow down options, comparing choices by using a combination of weighted voting and ranking.

    A criteria matrix is especially helpful when:

    • Options for a solution are many (10-20 choices)
    • There are a significant number of criteria (6-15 items)
    • Quick consensus is needed to proceed
    Illustrative example of weighted criteria
    (app screen)

    1. Quality Decision Making Apps

    From our FREE OughtWe Lite – to our VALUE OughtWe Pro

    2. Quality Decision Making Support

    Three key steps – with validation

    3. Your Tailored Decision Making App

    1. <Your> Name (Text) in Decision Maker Logo – Client name (or acronym) nested in the Decision Maker app Logo.

    2. Reference (Text) – a description of your context – to be inserted under the edited “Reference” Header of the Criteria & Weight Screen.

    3. Your Criteria

    You can populate Your Decision Maker with up to nine of your specified criteria.

    Specifics of each criterion.

    For each of the (up to nine) specified criteria, please provide:

    (i) Criteria Name (Text) – example “Alignment with Values”.

    (ii) Criteria Description (Text) – example “To what extent is this option aligned with our supported values?”.

    (iii) Rationale for Criteria (Text) – example “Reference: Corporate Ethics Policy (2021)”.

    (iv) Criteria Weightings – your agreed default settings (positive or negative – from minus nine to plus nine).

    Note: When being used “in the field” individual users will still be able to add criteria to reflect and support the context of any specific decision being addressed by them.

    Customized DecisionMaking App

    NB Development of the above specifications is best done with others. Especially those who need to develop and sign off on “what they value – and how much they care about those things they value”.


  • Storms and Sandwich Boards
    Context – last week there were many trees down.

    The clean up uses parking areas as a sound strategy to store debris before removal. Sound, but with some unintended consequences.

    Losing your “Premises”

    Google Store
    Our “in your pocket” solution is available on Google and Apple stores.
    In this case, the loss of parking denies customers and a preferred setup site
    Car park being used as a holding area for debris
    Workaround. Improvise. Innovative use of nearby space.
    Based on our Software as a Service AgileBCP
  • Risk @ Interfaces

    On the edge. On the boundary. At the interface.

    Between the land and the sea.
    Between the burbs and the bush.
    Our “interface” this morning.
    Between the hills and the houses

    Available NOW!
    Opening Screen
    Context input – assets and hazards
    Hazard Profile
    Impact Analysis
    Planning for Operability
    Scenario Analysis will be available as a Tier 1 app for less than $1
  • When should you invest in disaster management?

    Purists … say you ought to have already set it up “yesterday”.

    Pragmatists … say you ought to do it “whenever you’re ready”.

    Whenever you decide, there are some things to consider.

    1. How are you at risk – How are you vulnerable?
    2. Start with – and focus on – what you care about

    3. Consider using a criteria-based decision making approach when determining the most appropriate planning solution for you.

    Use our free Disaster Management Decision Maker App to compare AgileBCP to any of your other options.
    Criteria applied in our free Disaster Management Decision Maker app
    Jump onto AgileBCP as early as you want – or as late as you need to!
    Underpinned by an approach which has been effective for decades.
    Bottom line: Start building your capabilities for less than A$100

Free Disaster Risk Assessor App

Use our free app to map and explore how you are at risk. We also use it as a “pre-read” lead into our business continuity workshops. Hazards are not equally significant. Google Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.disaster.risk&hl=en_AU&gl=US Apple Store https://apps.apple.com/au/app/disaster-risk-assessor/id6443818654

How prepared are you? How prepared ought you be?

A short story … Once upon a time, in the bustling city of New York, there was a small family-owned business named “Lighthouse Marketing”. The business was doing exceptionally well and was generating substantial profits for the family. However, the owner, Mr. James, was always concerned about the future of his business. He knew that… Read More

How prepared are you? How prepared ought you be?

A short story … Once upon a time, in the bustling city of New York, there was a small family-owned business named “Lighthouse Marketing”. The business was doing exceptionally well and was generating substantial profits for the family. However, the owner, Mr. James, was always concerned about the future of his business. He knew that… Read More

Scenario Analysis

Introducing our Scenario Analysis app, available as a Tier 1 product (costing less than US$1) from Apple and Google stores. Screen 1 Scenarios Field 1 “Assets” Prompt “Compile a list of assets. Consider significant operational processes, activities, and the resources upon which they rely including people, facilities, machinery, equipment, infrastructure (including premises), technology (including plant… Read More

AgileBCP Consulting Opportunities

OpportunityAgileBCP Pty Ltd is pleased to announce the global availability of our ongoing commission arrangements for consultants who facilitate subscriptions to our Agile Business Continuity Software as a Service Platform. Why AgileBCP Software as a ServiceWhat differentiates our globally available SaaS is alignment with “Best Practices” harmonized with International Standards. What distinguishes the approach as… Read More

Risk Trends

Headlines reflect a disarming lack of confidence.
In this Blog I have selected some key themes from the Insight Report. Illustrating them with images from the report.
Extreme events and uncertainties continue to dominate the landscape.
Central to context is the question of “what do we value?”
Central to vulnerabilities are supply chains.
Highlights in the “top right” quadrant
Yes, No, and Maybe
With enhanced foresight being a ‘must-have’
The Frameworks have remained robust for decades
At the ground level, we offer apps – many free, some up to $5 – which can go a long way to support you asking the right questions.
For those who can make it for a Face-to-Face, Adelaide 27 Feb awaits