Navigating the waters of business continuity can be a daunting task, requiring a deep understanding of various factors such as risk management, disaster recovery, information technology, and crisis communications. As such, there is a prevailing need for Business Continuity Planners (BCPs) who specialize in formulating strategies that ensure the continued operation of a business in the face of potential disruptions. However, procuring the right BCP can often seem as complex as the task they are hired to undertake. To aid in this process, here are eleven insights I gleaned from my own experience in hiring a BCP.

• BCPs are not one-size-fits-all: The first critical understanding is that every BCP has a distinct set of skills and methods of operation. This implies that the effectiveness of a BCP is largely contingent on the specific demands of your business. Understanding your business's unique needs and matching them with a BCP’s strengths is crucial for effective continuity planning.

• Communication is paramount: The success of business continuity planning hinges on the BCP’s ability to communicate effectively. They should be capable of comprehending the unique challenges and needs of your business, and in turn, relaying them to the relevant team or department.

• Know their experience: The diversity in crises that a business could face demands a BCP with a rich history of experiences. A BCP with a broad range of experiences will be better equipped to anticipate and plan for a wide array of potential disruptions.

• Understand their methodology: The approach adopted by a BCP can significantly impact the effectiveness of the plan. It is prudent to comprehend their methodology and validate if it aligns with your business's culture and practices.

• Grasp their technological prowess: In this digital epoch, technological disruptions pose a significant threat to business continuity. Ascertaining a BCP's competence in this regard could prove pivotal.

• Assess their adaptability: Given the dynamic nature of risk, the ability of a BCP to adapt to changing circumstances is indispensable. They should be flexible enough to adjust their plan in response to evolving risks or the unique needs of your business.

• Be aware of their crisis management skills: Business continuity planning is an integral component of crisis management. Therefore, the crisis management skills of a BCP are of utmost importance.

• Gauge their learning agility: The incessant evolution of risks necessitates a BCP’s ability to learn and adapt quickly. Learning agility is thus a critical attribute to consider in a BCP.

• Consider their past successes and failures: The past performance of a BCP can provide a significant indication of their potential effectiveness. Scrutinizing their past successes and failures can offer valuable insights into their capabilities.

• Value their relationships with stakeholders: The success of a business continuity plan often involves cooperation from various stakeholders. A BCP's ability to foster and maintain healthy relationships with stakeholders can be instrumental in executing the plan.

• Understand the cost implications: Business continuity planning can be an expensive venture. Understanding the financial implications of hiring a BCP, as well as the potential cost of not being adequately prepared for a disruption, is paramount.

In conclusion, hiring a business continuity planner is no small task. It involves deep introspection into the business's needs and a meticulous assessment of the potential candidates. However, armed with these insights, the process can be significantly more manageable and the outcome, more beneficial.