Business Procedures
Business Procedures
Maybe you consider this something that only belongs to big business, but small and medium businesses should also have some procedures written out.
A small business will have fewer procedures and make not call it a manual, they may be more flexible in their approach, but the concept is the same.
Why have procedures?
Many small business owners, especially sole traders, know how to run their business so don’t see any reason to write the procedures done. But what happens when the owner isn’t the one trying to carry out a particular task one day?
By having procedures written down, someone else is able do the job with minimal disruption to clients and the overall business.
Here are some the main reasons to have procedures written down for your business:
Someone is able to fill in for you if you are sick or go on holidays
Less time is required to train new staff
You have a system to sell, either as a franchise or if you sell the entire business
There are less likely to be human errors because someone forgets a key step
Clients receive consistent answers and service
What procedures do I need?
In short, everything you do!
If a task is repeated then it should be written down. So there could be a large number of procedures for even the smallest of businesses.
Think about the person filling in for you when you suddenly fall ill for a couple of months. Would they know how to do things such as:
Record sales
Prepare a quote
Hire a contractor or new employee
Maintain your website
Follow your marketing plan
Access client information
Invoice clients
Package or present your product
How do I write these procedures?
There is no getting around the fact that it will take time and patience to get all of your procedures written down in a usable form. Even if you get a professional writer to help you write the procedures, you will still need to spend the time identifying the procedures to be documented.
Like anything, the easiest solution is to handle one procedure at a time rather than all at once. It may be worth keeping a list of all procedures and crossing them off as you get them written.
The following points can help with setting up your procedures:
Procedures can include checklists
Procedures MUST include every step of the process
Procedures MUST be clear and simple enough that other people can follow them easily
Start by taking notes of what you do as you do each task
Consider a template for your procedures so they all end up being consistent
Set up a system to store the procedures so they are easy to access and use. For instance, keeping them in a hidden file on your computer may make it very hard for someone else to access for you.
Include relevant details in the procedures. For example, instead of ‘send to accountant’ write ‘send to Jo Blow, 123 Accountants, 12 Main ST, Anytown’
Clear communication is critical to the success of any business, but it is often left to care for itself in many businesses. Tash Hughes is a professional and skilled writer who makes technical and otherwise boring information accessible for everyone a business needs to communicate with. Next time you need webcopy, articles, newsletters, reports or any other business document, visit www.wordconstructions.com to see how Tash and her team can help your business succeed.
Business Procedures - To learn more about this author, visit Tash Hughes's Website.
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If you have worked in the corporate world, you know that big businesses have procedure manuals and policies for how things are to be done. They may vary in effectiveness, but they have been thought out and written.
Maybe you consider this something that only belongs to big business, but small and medium businesses should also have some procedures written out.
A small business will have fewer procedures and make not call it a manual, they may be more flexible in their approach, but the concept is the same.
Why have procedures?
Many small business owners, especially sole traders, know how to run their business so don’t see any reason to write the procedures done. But what happens when the owner isn’t the one trying to carry out a particular task one day?
By having procedures written down, someone else is able do the job with minimal disruption to clients and the overall business.
Here are some the main reasons to have procedures written down for your business:
Someone is able to fill in for you if you are sick or go on holidays
Less time is required to train new staff
You have a system to sell, either as a franchise or if you sell the entire business
There are less likely to be human errors because someone forgets a key step
Clients receive consistent answers and service
What procedures do I need?
In short, everything you do!
If a task is repeated then it should be written down. So there could be a large number of procedures for even the smallest of businesses.
Think about the person filling in for you when you suddenly fall ill for a couple of months. Would they know how to do things such as:
Record sales
Prepare a quote
Hire a contractor or new employee
Maintain your website
Follow your marketing plan
Access client information
Invoice clients
Package or present your product
How do I write these procedures?
There is no getting around the fact that it will take time and patience to get all of your procedures written down in a usable form. Even if you get a professional writer to help you write the procedures, you will still need to spend the time identifying the procedures to be documented.
Like anything, the easiest solution is to handle one procedure at a time rather than all at once. It may be worth keeping a list of all procedures and crossing them off as you get them written.
The following points can help with setting up your procedures:
Procedures can include checklists
Procedures MUST include every step of the process
Procedures MUST be clear and simple enough that other people can follow them easily
Start by taking notes of what you do as you do each task
Consider a template for your procedures so they all end up being consistent
Set up a system to store the procedures so they are easy to access and use. For instance, keeping them in a hidden file on your computer may make it very hard for someone else to access for you.
Include relevant details in the procedures. For example, instead of ‘send to accountant’ write ‘send to Jo Blow, 123 Accountants, 12 Main ST, Anytown’
Clear communication is critical to the success of any business, but it is often left to care for itself in many businesses. Tash Hughes is a professional and skilled writer who makes technical and otherwise boring information accessible for everyone a business needs to communicate with. Next time you need webcopy, articles, newsletters, reports or any other business document, visit www.wordconstructions.com to see how Tash and her team can help your business succeed.
Business Procedures - To learn more about this author, visit Tash Hughes's Website.
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David BarrDavid Barr is the President of Venture Opportunities, Inc. David has been a professional business broker/intermediary since 1980 focusing on General Business Brokerage and Mergers and Acquisitions representing client transaction value from $400,000 to $20,000,000. Mr. Barr has handled the sale of over four hundred and fifty companies. David earned a university degree from the State University of New York majoring in economics and business. David holds the Mergers and Acquisition Master Intermediary and the Certified Business Intermediary designations from the International Business Brokers Association. He is also a Senior Business Analyst and a Texas licensed Real Estate Agent. For more information about David and Venture Opportunities, visit www.bizdealmaker.com. - Visit David Barr's Website |
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David AchesonDavid Acheson is the founder of DCJA Consultancy. DCJA Consultancy is a management consultancy business specialising in B2B sales consultancy. They offer bespoke and packaged sales consultancy including Sales Optimisation Review, Interim Sales Management, Sales & Marketing Review, 1:1 Sales & Management Staff Analysis, Management Training, Solution Sales Training, Creation of New Pay Plan, KPI's, run Customer Feedback Campaigns, assist with Recruitment, Coaching, Appraisals and set up Strategic Marketing Campaigns. David spent his early career in accountancy and then moved into sales in 1982, working in Office Equipment, IT, Advertising, Training, Outsourcing and Consultancy. He has held many Senior Positions in SMBs and Global Organisations including Head of Sales Operations & Head of Business Development. His knowledge, skills and great experience of the Sales Industry has led to David making keynote speeches and running educational sessions to key businesses through organisations including The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link. - Visit David Acheson's Website |
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Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
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Cheryl MatthynssensCheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur. Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well. A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles. She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide- to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being. Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com - Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website |
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