The Summer Business Check-in

Question 1
If you were suddenly unavailable for two weeks — illness, accident, or anything unexpected — who would step in to run your business?

○ I have a specific person named and they know they're in that role.
○ I have someone in mind but we've never actually talked about it.
○ I'm not sure — I'd have to figure it out in the moment.
○ There is no one who could step in.

Question 2
Who would contact your clients if you were suddenly unavailable?

○ A specific person who knows my clients and what to say. They are aware of this role as well.
○ Someone could probably figure it out but nothing is documented.
○ My clients would be left waiting with no communication.
○ I haven't thought about this.

Question 3
Who currently has access to your business bank account if you can't access it yourself?

○ My spouse or a trusted person has full signing authority.
○ My spouse or partner could probably get in but I'm not certain.
○ Nobody else has access right now.
○ I don't know — I've never checked.

Question 4
Does anyone other than you know your CRA My Business Account login, HST account number, or payroll account details?

○ Yes — this information is documented and accessible to someone I trust.
○ My accountant has some of it but it's not all in one place.
○ No — this all lives in my head or only I have access.
○ I'm not sure what accounts I have or where the details are.

Question 5
Are the most important tasks in your business documented anywhere other than your own memory?

○ Yes — I have SOPs, notes, or a documented process someone else could follow.
○ Some things are written down but not consistently.
○ Most of it lives in my head and nowhere else.
○ Nothing is documented — I run everything from memory.

Question 6
Does anyone know where your key business documents are — your business registration, Articles of Incorporation, contracts, insurance policy, or will?

○ Yes — someone I trust knows exactly where everything is (not just for your personal affairs, for your business too).
○ Some documents are findable but nothing is organized or communicated.
○ These documents exist but nobody else knows where they are.
○ I'm not sure where some of these documents are myself.

Question 7
Do you have a valid Continuing Power of Attorney for Property in Ontario that specifically covers your business interests?

○ Yes — it's in place, up to date, and my attorney knows about it.
○ I have a POA but I'm not sure if it covers my business specifically.
○ No — I don't have one.
○ I don't know what this is or whether I have one.

Question 8
How prepared do you feel for an unexpected absence from your business — illness, accident, or otherwise?

○ Very prepared — I have a plan, it's documented, and the right people know about it.
○ Somewhat prepared — I've thought about it but haven't formalized anything.
○ Not very prepared — I know I should do this but haven't started.
○ Not prepared at all — if something happened tomorrow it would be chaos.