You're all talking about different things and throwing them in a pot and saying do like the Boy Scouts and be prepared for whatever.
Well, in my post, I mentioned to get the proper insurance. That would be proper life insurance, disability insurance, business interruption and some others that I can't think of, but insurance-wise, we are covered for ANY issue that might occur. Will we use it ?? Depends on the individual situation. However, it's already set in place such as any responsible person would have set up and in the business arena, these things go without saying. That's why this thread is off the wall. Having all of these things setup is already covered in any accountable person's business, unless you're just not a good businessperson.
As for employees having keys, access to records and other business-related items.... two of our employees could run this business if I died tomorrow. If my wife and myself would suddenly perish, well there are enough work orders and paper flow trails to finish out each and every project without fail other than maybe the cost factor, which would be up to them to figure out.
We keep no secrets in our shop except from part-timers. They know nothing of pricing, costing or any other business related information. They are monkeys to do work and only work. Anything new, would be up the the next in charge..... were we to disappear.
Our employees know all of the vendors and would have the same attention and respect given to them as I get/got. Our vendors have been with us a very long time and would help our second in commands make the transition smoothly.
Now, back to the original statement..... being ready for all or any of this is almost for nothing, because one cannot prepare oneself for horrific things, whether to yourself or a loved one and you might act totally different if your kid is struck by a car vs. the passing of a parent... let alone something to your other half.
I first have a duty to my God, wife, family and country, in no particular order. [I've always said, I'm not a good Christian]. All others come second and unfortunately, business is down the list of my priorities, simply due to the fact... I've taken care of every conceivable measure the business community has to offer.
Look at the many here on s101 who have suffered great confrontations from children getting horribly hurt, to over-bearing surgeries, to dying and returning from the dead. Ask them how well they prepared. I'll bet you anything, they all thought they were pretty much in control. Well, when that something or someone comes knocking at your door.... you ain't gonna react under those conditions, the same way you thought you were going to when you had all your senses. Guaranteed !!
Get real and stop daydreaming about being a compassionate business owner whose customer's and job responsibilities come first. Unless you are totally distant from feelings, you won't re-act as you feel you will in certain cases. Again, only the ones you can't handle will do this. If you can totally function, it probalby doesn't bother you or your body is in auto-pilot mode and postponing the pain and will re-act later.
This is exactly the planning I was talking about. Not dwelling on the negative but, being prepared as possible for things that may happen.
