WASHINGTON -- International terrorists attack businesses far more than any other target, and when they strike, they aim to disrupt the flow of supply and demand and to destroy our way of life.
A survey of 642 global firms found that terrorism is the third most important concern to management, after energy prices and exchange-rate volatility. The companies surveyed reportedly spent on average about $147,000 on terrorism preparedness and hired about five new employees to deal with the issue. Yet many other corporations do not believe their shareholders would reward these investments, and therefore remain unprepared or the impact of terrorism.
With today's global competition, firms no longer have the luxury of just aiming for "survival" in the face of an emergency or a terror attack. Firms must offer continuity to their suppliers, their clients and their employees in order to inspire confidence in the relationship. Flexibility allows firms to recover more quickly in the aftermath of terrorism's direct and indirect consequences.