Purdue Best Bets
July 25, 1997
JOURNALISTS: Here 's a story idea and Purdue events during the next two weeks.
Businesses without a crisis plan vulnerable to disaster
What would happen if a tornado destroyed your business or you lost electricity or
water service for an extended length of time? If business owners don't know the answer
to these questions, they are jeopardizing their livelihood, according to a Purdue
consumer sciences and retailing professor. Holly Schrank says crisis planning isn't easy
or pleasant, but those who don't do it are acting foolishly. "I was in a store that
put all the customers out on the street when a tornado siren went off and locked
the employees inside," she says. "Needless to say, that experience did not endear me to that
company." Schrank also points to the owner of a women's apparel shop who lost her
business because the restaurant next door burned. "The shop should have been closed
only temporarily, but due to a lack of business interruption insurance, the owner didn't
have the financial reserves to survive the period," she says. CONTACT: Schrank, (765)
494-9851; e-mail, schrankh@omni.cc.purdue.edu
Events
Aug. 7-8.
Stewart Center. National Issues Forum sponsored by the Kettering Foundation and Purdue's
Department of Organizational Leadership and Supervision. Topics for discussion are:
"The Troubled American Family: Which Way Out of the Storm?" and "Education: How Do We Get What We Want?" CONTACT: Michael Menefee, (765) 494-5599; e-mail, mlmenefe@tech.purdue.edu
Aug. 10.
Graduating students will receive degrees during commencement ceremonies at 2:30 p.m.
in Elliott Hall of Music. Purdue President Steven C. Beering will be the featured
speaker. Journalists wanting to cover commencement will need tickets for the event
and should reserve space for camera equipment. CONTACT: Roy A. Johnson, associate registrar,
(765) 494-6163; e-mail, rajohn@delta.reg.purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
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