When companies create business continuity plans it is important to also provide comprehensive training for all employees. That way, best practices can be introduced early and properly developed, ensuring that every worker will know how best to keep themselves and those around them safe.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced in a press release this week that it had developed something similar to minimize the risk of internal contamination in food plants. The FDA created a software program to help owners and operators. Called The Food Defense Plan Builder, the program can benefit companies in the manufacturing, production, retail and transportation areas of food.

"The FDA is committed to providing best practices and resources to support industry as we pursue our shared goal of protecting our food supply," FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine Michael Taylor said in a statement. "We strongly encourage companies to take full advantage of the Food Defense Plan Builder."

Currently, the FDA does not require companies to implement plans to safeguard their products, but the press release said that many will voluntarily do so on their own. The FDA's new guide though, helps facilities create a vulnerability assessment, mitigation strategies and an action plan.

Even companies that do not handle food can create similar continuity plans that properly educate employees on how best to keep the company running. Everything from computer security to proper client etiquette can ensure that a business will have long-term success. 

Working with business continuity consultants can help managers create a program that is suited to their organizational needs and is able to be implemented into employees' daily routines.