Online Business Procedures By The Numbers
The key to any well run business is in it's business procedures. From McDonalds to General Motors, these businesses have perfected the procedures that have made them into massive global companies. It's just as important for you to do the same for your online business. We will cover the process for creating the procedures below.
First off, you are going to need to know how to do the procedure you want repeated. You may have been doing it for months or it may be something entirely new to you. Either way, you must know it and know it well enough that you can explain it to someone else.
Second, write down the steps to the procedure. Only use command words: must, shall, is required to, will and should. Do not use words that give options: can, may, or optionally as these words will lead to confusion and ambiguity. It is imperative that you use a numbered list and keep the steps in their correct logical order.
Third, using a screen recording device, such as CamStudio or Camtasia Studio, record yourself performing the procedure. Talk the person who is going to be watching it through every step that they need to do in order to finish the task successfully. Now, package it up on a DVD or put it out on the web and make it available to your interns, contractors or employees.
Lastly, get feedback from the people who are performing the procedures and continuously update your procedures so that they become more concise, clear and quick to perform. Procedures are not a fire and forget kind of task, they should be the cornerstone of any great business and need to be frequently refreshed.
"Visit the Steven Lohrenz's blog and learn the art & science of seperating your life from your business." -Ernie Sandan. Here is the URL: StevenLohrenz.com
Published January 19th, 2008