The destruction of the World Trade Center several months ago underscored the need for every business to prepare for the possibility of a catastrophic loss. Fortunately, not every disaster will be as dramatic or massive as the situation in New York, but every year hundreds of thousands of businesses are struck by storms, fires, floods, and other calamities. Two cases in point, with decidedly different outcomes:

Workplace violence has erupted across the United States in recent years, often with fatal consequences. In addition to the occasional headline-grabbing tragedies, many incidents of verbal abuse, fits of anger, and physical assault occur each year in businesses large and small. How can you safeguard your business from employee violence?

When we work closely with our employees no matter how large or small the business over time we form friendships and create a "family atmosphere" in the workplace. Developing close-knit relationships enriches our time at work, but that same closeness may make it difficult to confront tough, work-related issues squarely. However, by following sound management practices, we can ease the challenge of supervising employees who have become our friends.

Sally Huss products are created and sold from the home gallery in California. The company does not accept returns, offer marketing assistance or provide a business model for stores to implement, says [Steve Marr]. Some successful Sally Huss Galleries carry a mix of 30 to 40 percent Sally Huss products. The Russos have started diversifying their products, and Marr suggests calling other galleries to identify complementary merchandise that sells well.

Tom was the pastor of counseling in a growing suburban church. Because he wanted to protect the privacy and confidentiality of individuals in the congregation, who often came for counseling about marriage problems and other personal difficulties, he would frequently schedule appointments away from the church office. Often, these appointments would stretch to several hours, during which time he was absent from the office. Unfortunately, he also struggled with his personal time management, occasionally arriving late for appointments and appearing unorganized.