The Social Syndicate is a RingCentral Partner.
Los Angeles is getting back to business and remains resilient after the recent wildfires. Many businesses will have to revert to remote operations as they rebuild and reestablish their operations. Whether businesses go remote largely depends on the type of business, sector and the availability of resources.
Is Your Businesses Ready to Go Remote?
Here are some types of businesses that could go remote immediately:
Service-Oriented Businesses: Many service-based companies (e.g., consulting, software, marketing) transition to remote work if communication and power infrastructures remain intact.
Retail and Hospitality: These sectors are less likely to go fully remote since their operations often rely on physical locations.
Essential Services: Businesses like healthcare, utilities, and emergency response may not have the option to go fully remote and typically continue on-site operations with adjustments. However there are many hybrid and remote solutions like RingCentral UCaaS which can help in hybrid work situations.
Obstacles or Challenges Include:
Infrastructure Damage: If internet, power, or phone lines are disrupted, remote work is not possible without backups like satellite internet, most recently Starlink, or mobile hotspots.
Employee Displacement: Employees may face personal losses and relocation, affecting their ability to work remotely.
The Road to Recovery Process and how-to Reestablish Your Business
Immediate Steps:
Damage Assessment: Determine the extent of physical and operational damage.
Communication: Notify employees, customers, and stakeholders about the status of the business.
Insurance Claims: Begin filing insurance claims for property, equipment, and business interruption.
Short-Term Recovery:
Temporary Solutions: Set up temporary workspaces or shift to a UCaaS solution like RingCentral remote operations if possible.
Access to Funds: Secure financial assistance through insurance payouts, loans, or government aid programs like FEMA in the U.S.
Supply Chain Restoration: Reconnect with suppliers and partners to resume operations.
Long-Term Recovery:
Repair and Rebuild: Restore physical locations and replace damaged equipment.
Digital Transformation: Invest in tools that support remote work or disaster recovery like a UCaaS platform (e.g., cloud communications).
Business Continuity Planning: Develop or update a disaster recovery and business continuity plan to be better prepared for future incidents.
Examples of Adaptation After a Natural Disaster
Hurricane Katrina (2005): Many New Orleans-based businesses that had access to online tools shifted operations to temporary remote models while rebuilding physical locations.
COVID-19 as a Global “Disaster”: The pandemic saw an unprecedented shift to remote work for many industries, highlighting the importance of having digital systems in place.
The recent Palisades Fire has had a devastating impact on businesses in the Pacific Palisades area, with over 5,000 structures, including homes, markets, and schools, damaged or destroyed.
According to Accuweather, the total damage and economic loss stemming from the 2025 Southern California wildfires was raised to between $250 billion and $275 billion on Monday… Since January 7th, Los Angeles County has been devastated by several wildfires blazing in different areas of the county.
In the final analysis, it’s crucial for businesses to develop comprehensive recovery plans, including strategies for remote operations like a UCaaS solution, to navigate the challenges posed by such natural disasters effectively. Contact us to learn more.