When business owners think about continuity, their thoughts often arrive at backups. Of course, backups are one of the most important aspects of business progression, especially in today’s digital world, where data is the backbone of almost every operation. 

According to a recent survey, around 96% of workstations in the US don’t have backups, with around 75% of SMEs, specifically, lacking any kind of disaster recovery plans. This would leave you in serious trouble in the event of an attack, so it’s your job to ensure your data is protected and, if anything were to happen, you can retrieve it at the drop of a hat. 

But while it’s crucial to ensure your data is securely stored and can quickly be recovered, continuity involves much more than just safeguarding information. Even for e-commerce businesses, continuity is all about looking at the bigger picture, taking into account everything from operational resilience to human resources. 

What is Continuity Really About?

There are many things that can harm your business continuity in 2025. Just last year, for instance, around 53% of small businesses were sued in the US, with around 45% currently involved in litigation. Whether we like it or not, lawsuits are growing more and more common, and they can be crippling if you don’t have the necessary procedures in place to deal with them. 

This is why insurance is so important. Even apart from lawsuits, any kind of damage to your commercial property can similarly disrupt your continuity. Let’s say a fire breaks out in your retail store and it causes significant damage to the building. Not only will you lose some of your store’s fixtures, but you might also lose your inventory, equipment, or furniture, causing your business to grind to a deadly halt. 

In this scenario, commercial property insurance can be critical to covering any damage and making sure your business can get back on track as quickly as possible. Essentially, it’s a financial backup that ensures you’re well protected both from a monetary and operational point of view. 

Human Resources Equals Business Continuity

As well as insurance, another form of backup can come in human resources – having plans, systems, and strategies in place to ensure your workforce remains functional at all times. 

According to another recent study, organizations with highly engaged employees are 21% more profitable, with lower turnover rates seeing a 41% reduction in absenteeism. This demonstrates just how crucial HR can be in giving your business continuity, and ensuring your reputation remains at an all-time high – both within the industry, and for your customers. 

It’s important to remember that, in the US, approximately one in four businesses fail within their first year. There are many reasons for this, but one of the most critical revolves around employee engagement and high turnover. If your employees aren’t happy, then the business itself isn’t happy, and this can lead to a significant disruption to your continuity. 

To keep developing, you need to foster a positive work culture that addresses employee concerns proactively, and works to maintain a productive and motivated atmosphere at all times. Having a strong HR foundation is the key to achieving this. Not only will it reduce turnover and absenteeism, but it will give your team the confidence they need to perform at their best, knowing that they are valued and supported.

Conclusion

Because everything is so digitalized in 2025, so many business owners are narrowing their focus to what’s on the screen, rather than what’s going on around them. Yes, business data is important, and you want to make sure it’s well protected. But business continuity is about so much more than digital assets. 

It’s about creating a resilient, adaptable business that can withstand all disruptions – whether they’re caused by technology failures, legal challenges, or employee turnover. As you move forward, this is what’s important to remember. And if you do, there’s every chance your company will not only continue into the future, but it will flourish.