You’re finally on vacation after years without a break. The sun is warm, the breeze is perfect, and then your phone buzzes. Your operations manager just quit. 

That’s exactly what happened to my husband Mark and me over a decade ago with our property management business. That text message didn’t just interrupt our vacation. It changed how we thought about business resilience.  

Many business owners know this feeling. You work relentlessly to build something meaningful, but one resignation, one emergency, one unexpected challenge can throw everything into chaos. 

But here’s the good news: That crisis led us to completely reimagine our business structure. We discovered that building a global team created natural redundancies and fail-safes that made our business stronger. More importantly, it gave us the freedom to step away without everything falling apart. 

Want to Build a Business for the Long Haul? 

Let me share five ways you can enjoy a fresh start in 2025 by building resilience against unexpected challenges: 

1. Map Your Vulnerability Points: List every critical position and process in your business. What happens if key people leave? What if systems fail? Don’t just think about it – write it down. Update this map quarterly as your business evolves.

2. Build Redundancy Into Your Operations: Cross-train team members on essential tasks. Document procedures thoroughly. Create backup plans for your backup plans. When we expanded globally, we found we could afford to have multiple skilled people knowing each role, ready to step in when needed.

3. Invest in Remote Infrastructure: Crisis-proof businesses can operate from anywhere. Ensure your team can access what they need securely from any location. Test these systems regularly. Don’t wait for an emergency to discover weak points.

4. Create Clear Communication Protocols: Everyone should know exactly who to contact and how during different types of emergencies. Include backup contacts. Remember, communication breaks down most when you need it most.

5. Budget for Emergencies: Set aside resources specifically for crisis management. This isn’t just about money. It’s about having extra capacity in your team, additional technical resources, and time allocated for contingency planning.

At HireSmart Virtual Employees, we’ve spent a decade helping businesses build crisis-resistant operations. Our clients have secured $56 million in payroll savings, but the real value goes beyond cost reduction. It’s about creating a business that can weather any storm. 

47 Tasks Your Virtual Employee Can Do for Your Business 

“Mary has been with us for 4 years and has become an integral part of our company,” one client shared. “Mary manages the utilities for around 4,000 rental units. She is in constant contact with many members of our team for various reasons and everyone has complimented her professionalism and efficiency. I have come to rely on Mary and I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her.” 

This is the power of building redundancy through global hiring. Your virtual employees become essential team members who can maintain operations during difficult times. They provide the backup you need when local challenges arise. 

Another client noted: “When we found Angelu I was over-the-moon excited with what a wonderful experience it had been to add her to our team. I think she fits perfectly and as a team we all work together to support one another in our rolls to do the best job possible for our business.” 

Here’s how HireSmart helps you crisis-proof your business: 

• We maintain the highest hiring standards, accepting only one percent of Filipino applicants
• We provide comprehensive background checks and skills assessments
• We ensure legal compliance in both U.S. and Filipino jurisdictions
• We offer 40 hours of pre-employment training and certification
• We give you tools for performance monitoring and management
• We provide a six-month replacement guarantee

HireSmart VE Shows ‘It’s All About Respect’ 

Ready to make your business more resilient in 2025? Click here to schedule a consultation. Let’s discuss how virtual employees can help you build a stronger, more crisis-resistant business.