The Ethics Coach on Crisis Management How to run a business during a state of emergency.

Q: I live in a city where major flooding recently created a state of emergency. A large part of my business is sales. What is the most appropriate way to run my business during a time of crisis?

A: There's no "business as usual" during emergencies. If your product is relevant to the crisis at hand, focus on appropriate ways to connect people with your services that won't make you seem like an opportunist. For nonessential tools or services, develop a crisis-management plan that outlines the way your sales team should operate in the event of a disaster. Either way, keep in mind that even if part of your sales territory was left unscathed by flooding or a tornado, your area customers might be distracted by worries for nearby friends and family. Be sensitive to that.