When you first began your business, you probably thought long and hard about all the possible scenarios you needed to prepare for. But here's something you may not have thought about: disaster preparedness. According to a recent survey by the American Red Cross and FedEx Corp., 94 percent of small-business owners believe a disaster could disrupt their business within the next two years, yet only 43 percent say they're prepared for a one-week disruption. Only 22 percent feel they could withstand a one-month disturbance. Of those surveyed, 25 percent say they want to take the steps to prepare their business for disaster, and now, the American Red Cross and FedEx Corp. are working together to help them do just that. "All businesses should have a disaster plan, but for small businesses, being prepared can make a difference in being able to stay in business after a disaster," said Darlene Sparks Washington, director of preparedness for the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross and FedEx are still working on developing emergency strategies for small businesses, but in the meantime, you can download their disaster preparedness checklist and purchase supplies at the Red Cross online store.