When I sat down with Clara Mitchell, a Senior Business Continuity Consultant at Fernao Business Resilience Ltd, I didn’t anticipate a conversation that would transform my perspective on organisational resilience. Her experience in navigating the unpredictable waters of business continuity was not just enlightening but also a compelling narrative on the importance of preparedness in the face of chaos.
Clara has been with Fernao for over a decade, and during this time, she has witnessed the gamut of crises that can befall an organisation. From the sudden onslaught of natural disasters to the more subtle yet equally disruptive personal crises faced by employees, her role has been to ensure that businesses remain steadfast in their operations. “The unpredictability of life is what makes our work both challenging and essential,” she began, her eyes reflecting the weight of her experience.
One vivid memory Clara shared was the aftermath of a severe storm that had flooded several neighbourhoods, including where many of her company’s employees resided. “It was a chaotic morning,” she recalled. “We were suddenly faced with a significant number of our workforce unable to make it to work, either because their homes were flooded or due to the transport system being paralysed.”
This incident, she noted, was a turning point for Fernao. “It wasn’t just about managing the immediate impact of the storm,” Clara explained. “We realised that it was an opportunity to reassess and reinforce our business continuity strategies.”
Clara highlighted how Fernao approached this challenge not just by developing contingency plans but by focusing on the human element of resilience. “What we found was crucial in these situations was the mental and emotional well-being of our employees,” she said thoughtfully. “We started to ask ourselves: How can we support our people better so that they feel equipped to handle personal and professional challenges?”
The solution, as Clara elucidated, lay in creating a supportive workplace environment that blurred the lines between personal and professional life to some extent. “We launched initiatives that focused on personal resilience. Workshops on stress management, flexible work arrangements, and mental health support became central to our approach,” she recounted.
Clara’s insights extended beyond internal measures. Fernao also worked closely with other businesses, advising them on the need to view disruptions as opportunities for growth and learning. “Every disaster, whether it’s a flood or a flu outbreak, shines a light on the vulnerabilities within an organisation,” she remarked. “Our job is to turn that light into a beacon for improvement.”
The conversation took an interesting turn when we discussed the role of leadership in fostering a culture of resilience. Clara emphasised that leaders play a pivotal role in setting the tone for how crises are managed and perceived. “Leaders need to be visibly supportive and proactive. It’s about building trust and empowering employees to make decisions in uncertain times,” she noted.
I asked Clara about the most significant lesson she had learned in her career, expecting a technical answer related to business continuity protocols. Instead, she offered something profoundly human. “The biggest lesson is empathy,” she said, pausing for effect. “Understanding the human aspect of any crisis is what truly helps in building resilience. It’s not just about keeping the business running; it’s about ensuring that people feel safe and valued.”
As our conversation drew to a close, I was struck by Clara’s passion for her work and her unwavering belief in the potential for growth amidst adversity. “Every challenge is an opportunity,” she reiterated. “An opportunity to not only strengthen our business continuity plans but also to become better organisations that care for their people.”
Clara’s experiences and insights provided a refreshing perspective on the role of business resilience in today’s volatile world. Her story is a testament to the fact that amidst the chaos, there always lies a critical opportunity: to leverage such disasters to raise awareness about the importance of robust business continuity and to invest in the resilience of both the organisation and its people.
Reflecting on our discussion, it became clear that the true strength of an organisation is not just in its ability to withstand a crisis, but in its capacity to emerge stronger, more cohesive, and more compassionate. In this way, Fernao Business Resilience Ltd, through the expertise and dedication of professionals like Clara Mitchell, is not merely a guardian of business continuity but also a beacon of hope and progress in the face of uncertainty.
By Sparrow Knight
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