Policies and procedures - the easy way
If you ever feel like you’re just treading water and going through the motions in the same old, same old way then there is one commitment you can make this year that will have a dramatic effect on your business and take it to the next level. If you do nothing else this year, make a commitment to systemising and documenting your business operations.
It begins with first deciding to develop your business around systems – not individuals. Whilst people/individuals are critical to fulfilling roles and providing the necessary skills they will however, come and go throughout your business life, where as good systems remain constant.
In other words develop a variety of systems of how your business should operate and then develop roles/jobs to work those systems and finally assign individuals to fulfil those roles/jobs.
Below are a few guidelines to help you to develop your systems.
What makes a good system?
- Is comprised of many sub-systems
- Is tried and proven
- Revolves around roles, not individuals
- Is well documented
- Is known and understood by all concerned
What are some of
the systems that you would like to develop?
- A lead generation system
- An accounts receivable system
- A system to ensure OH & S compliance
- A marketing system
- A new manufacturing system
- A scaffold erection and OH&S compliance system
Where do you
begin?
- Pick an area e.g. department where a well documented system is urgently needed.
- Create a new word document and using bullet points or numbers outline the perfect process that you would achieve the desired outcome.
- Once you have the outline then add more specific detail
- Once completed then publish this to your “Operating manuals” using MS Word or other tools like TKO Business Modeller