I just posted a video that discusses how survey systems can help you build a bond with your customers, if they’re affected by a disaster.  Knowing exactly where your customers are and who they are–which survey sytems let you do–means that you can target customers who are affected by a disaster and reach out to them in a personal way.

You can view the video here.

We survived Gustav!  Baton Rouge took a hard hit–90+MPH gusts, trees down everywhere, the entire parish without power.  A week after the storm, 25% of our residents are still without power, we have no stoplights, schools have not re-opened.  But our family was very lucky:  We’re all OK and our house is undamaged.

I’ve studied disasters for over 15 years, documenting how social networks help individuals and businesses respond and recover.  But this is the first time that I’ve really experienced the “productivity hit” a disaster can bring to a small business.  Four days without power meant spending most of every day standing in line for ice and limited food supplies in stores, keeping our generator running, and doing basic tasks.

I learned some good lessons that we’re incorporating into our disaster plan for our business and our family.  If you don’t have a good disaster plan in place, my advice is to get one, right away!