Do you need an operations manual?

A good operations manual enhances the quality and performance of every type and size of business.

We have consulted with clients on enhancing their processes and delivered new and updated operations manuals for many different reasons, including:

Preparation for the sale of the business or investment, mergers, acquisitions and initial public offering (IPO).
Improving the performance of the business – including increasing the output/contribution of staff; improving the approach, follow-up and effectiveness of sales; improving efficiency; reducing waste; and bolstering profitability.
Improving quality – by setting and raising standards; making processes better; enhancing the standard layout and look of outlets; improving customer service; etc.
To ensure better compliance with legal requirements and to set up processes to handle challenges, emergencies and change.
To provide a foundation and reference for better initial and ongoing training, Team development and performance measurement.
To underwrite the standards and performance of a programme of expansion or the opening of new branches – and to make that easier to manage successfully.
To franchise or license the business – and so provide a ‘blueprint’ of high standards for franchisees/licensees to follow.
Because investors/bankers require a manual to be in place.
To protect a business from losing the knowledge of key staff and managers - before they leave, retire or are lost to a competitor, etc.
To protect the business from interruption should an owner or other leading member of staff (who holds key knowledge and operating practices ‘in their head’) leave, be incapacitated, die, or otherwise no longer be available to the business.

A smaller company might invest less in their operations manuals than a larger established one (and we offer services to help both) but ALL businesses benefit from having a good operations manual because:

Writing up any procedure means thought goes into improving it step-by-step.
Clearly communicating every task to your Team ensures they all work to the same highest standard without confusion.
Uniform standards can mean better performance, less errors and waste, greater profitability (or success if not-for-profit), better relationships with suppliers, higher customer/client satisfaction and increased brand recognition, perception and security.
Comprehensive policies and procedures help safeguard legal compliance, provide processes to deal with challenges and emergencies and protect your business from change.
It’s easier to develop good training and to measure your Team’s performance, if both follow a good operations manual – thus allowing for better continual improvement of your business.
You can grow and more confidently operate multiple branches (or franchisees) to a higher standard – because operations manuals can set out how each branch must work, the standards they must meet, what they must report and how they will be measured.
The value of your business can increase, because a future buyer/investor is secure in the knowledge that the ‘blueprint’ for its continuing success is detailed in the operations manual.

You can also learn the true value of operations manuals from the examples of real-life mistakes made by other businesses - in our article here.

WE CAN WRITE YOUR MANUALS FOR YOU - LEARN MORE