Disaster Recovery Journal Winter 2023

CAREER SPOTLIGHT

Career Spotlight:

Cheryl Griffith

“

By LISA JONES

Tell us about yourself – your name, company, title, and responsibilities? My name is Cheryl Griffith. Previously, I worked in the offshore financial services sector where I served as director of technology/middle office and back office for more than 10 years. I have been involved in the development and maintenance of business continuity plans since 2005. I am the founder and lead consultant of BCM Services Inc., a boutique consulting firm that provides business continuity planning and support services to public and private entities in Barbados and across the Caribbean. My focus is on small to medium sized busi ness who have never heard of business continuity and do not have the capacity or resources as large firms do. I had the opportunity to work as part of a business continuity team when we were preparing for Y2K in 1999. This interest evolved into me becoming the business continuity coordinator for the business unit a few years later. As a volunteer with my local district emergency organiza tion, I got exposure to training in damage assessment, shelter management, health and safety, and first aid. How did you get into the business continuity industry?

Tell us about some of the challenges you have encountered in your career? After 19 years, the company closed its operations in Barbados in 2017. After several interviews, I became frustrated as I was told I was too qualified or they couldn’t afford me. I then decided to share my business continuity knowledge by offering my services as a consultant and I founded my company in 2018. I went on a journey to level up my skills set in 2019, as 2020 was going to be my year, and then the unexpected happened … COVID-19. During the pandemic, suddenly every one in my country became a business continuity expert, with no experience or education required. This made me feel that the value of my knowledge, expertise, or experience was ignored. I felt discouraged at first, as everyone wanted free advice. Some companies did not have business continuity plans, and many did not know how to move to a work from home strategy. Paying it for ward works. As a result, I landed my first big project in 2021 and haven’t looked back since.

In business continuity we tend to adopt the “expect the unexpected” mindset. After a few months without any job prospects and feeling discouraged, I realized I have an opportunity (which felt more like diving into unchartered waters) to become a BCP consultant.

In my previous job, Yvonne Lewis, director of enterprise business continu ity management, was a very supportive mentor to me. She always found time for me and encouraged me to become a CBCP and MBCI. We still keep in touch, although we have both left the company. In this new season of my entrepreneurship, I was fortunate to meet Daman Dev Sood, who is a wealth of knowledge and who I call my teacher/ guru. Despite his busy schedule he found time to coach me on my business

“

Have you had any mentors? Describe the effect they have had on your career.

42 DISASTER RECOVERY JOURNAL | WINTER 2023