Smart small business owners should always prepare and regularly update business continuity plans in case their operations are slowed or shut down entirely due to a natural or manmade disaster. But the push for planning is particularly strong this summer with the specter of a renewed outbreak of pandemic swine flu in North America this fall.

While the H1N1 flu discovered last spring does not appear to be as virulent as originally feared, it has been responsible for thousands of illnesses during the Southern Hemisphere's flu season, with more than 300 deaths reported in Argentina alone as of early this month. The newly discovered flu strain, for which a vaccine is not expected until October, seems to be targeting a disproportionate number of children and young adults.

While larger corporations can continue business as usual even while many employees are out sick, small firms that rely heavily on key individuals may find themselves nearly incapacitated if several of those key people get sick, must stay home with sick children, or are in areas put under quarantine.

Phone Trees

At a minimum, small business owners should update employees' contact information to include current home phone numbers and addresses, e-mail addresses, and cell phone numbers. Some employers establish phone trees so they can efficiently contact all their employees to check on and alert them during an emergency.

Another vital component to a business continuity plan is to collect contact information, including cell phone numbers, for their suppliers, vendors, and key customers. Keep this information in print and online, and store copies off-site in case you can't get into your office.

A host of legal and medical questions may arise for small business owners if swine flu roars back with a vengeance this fall, says John Robinson, employment law practice group leader at Fowler White Boggs law firm in...