July 2009 Monthly Luncheon Meeting ISSA South Texas Chapter

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Luncheon Topic Addressing the Black Swan: Creativity in Continuity Planning “Black Swans” – the now infamous term that New York University professor Nassim Taleb coined for large, unexpected events that have a lasting influence on society – are increasingly common in today’s world.  Hurricanes, tsunamis, financial collapse, wars, peace agreements, market booms – all have become the norm rather than the exception over the past ten years. In our current environment, as the market falters and businesses suffer severe setbacks, can it be said that the business continuity professional failed to help their organizations understand, manage and mitigate these black swans?  Have business continuity standards provided a tool or methodology for corporations to address unexpected events?  To what extent are businesses really prepared, especially considering some of the businesses with the largest and most sophisticated risk management programs were among those heaviest hit? As business continuity professionals, we plan offsite storage to mitigate hurricane events, contingency plans to respond to terrorist attacks, even 30-day;impact-based” plans for large disruptions;but does the extent of our planning stop at the limits of our imagination?  What if something unanticipated were to occur? In this presentation, we will explore the evolution of business continuity and try to understand what has succeeded – and failed – as businesses continue the effort to protect themselves.  We will try to understand to what extent creativity can play in ensuring the continuation of corporate strategic aims and operations, even following outlier black swan;-like events.  Finally, we will demonstrate why – if properly developed and employed - business continuity as a practice is among the few disciplines well-positioned to anticipate, prepare for, and effectively handle black swan-like events.   Luncheon Meeting Schedule: 11:15 a.m. Registration / Networking 11:30 a.m. Luncheon / Networking 11:45 a.m. Chapter Business Meeting 12:00 noon Keynote Presentation 1:00 p.m. Adjourn Luncheon Luncheon Meeting Location: HESS - Houston Engineering and Scientific Society Club 5430 Westheimer at Yorktown. (Free Garage Parking)