Disasters such as floods, fires, electrical outages, severe storms, acts of terrorism, etc have become inherent risks of all businesses in today's competitive environment. Their occurrence often results in loss of life, destruction of property and equipment, loss of livelihoods, relocation of businesses or temporary closure of operations, and economic and personal hardships. Past and current real world events have created the awareness of the devastating effect of disasters, yet this awareness has not translated into conscious efforts by businesses to prepare for disasters. What are the factors that hinder the ability or capacity of businesses to prepare for disasters? Businesses of all sizes that aspire to operate successfully and compete in today's global environment must incorporate emergency preparedness and business continuity planning into their activities and as part of their strategic plans.