Standard Operating Procedure Manuals

We help you to create Standard Operating Procedure Manuals for Your Business!!

When I first started my business in 2006, on the advice of my business coach, I read the book "E-Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber. This book outlines how many entrepreneurs are the operator in their business and thus their business becomes solely reliant on them as a result. He then goes on to talk about the importance of creating Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manuals for your business.

I remember saying to my business coach how I thought this was such an amazing idea and how I wanted to do this for my business, however in all my research I could NOT find anything to walk me through how to do this or what I should even think about including.

She encouraged me to still move forward in the creation of my SOPs and at the same time to document what I was doing so I could sell this since there was nothing available for others.

So that is what I set out to do and over time this has evolved to a business focused primarily on assisting businesses to create these for their businesses!

In 2014, my own SOPs were a lifesaver for me and my business as a personal matter meant having to step away from my business for an extended period of time! With one simple username and password, I was able to open my entire business to a colleague and she stepped in for me and ran my business for me so I could be with my family at a time I was needed most.

How many of you could say the same thing?

What if you needed to step away from your business tomorrow? Could it survive?

With SOP Manuals in place it could!!!!! And that's what I want for you!

Click here to schedule a complimentary discovery call to learn more about how to create Standard Operating Procedure manuals that will allow your business to run both with AND without you!

Read on to discover more about Standard Operating Procedure Manuals and our services related to the creation of them for your business:

Why Do I Need Standard Operating Procedure Manuals

As I said above, one of the biggest reasons for creating Standard Operating Procedure Manuals is it means your business is no longer reliant on YOU the business owner to run.

You can step away from the business at any time with the knowledge things will continue in your absence!

Standard Operating Procedure manuals allow you to get out of your head and onto paper how you do business so anyone can step in at any time.

However, there are a few other reasons that SOP Manuals are so powerful!

Some of these ways include:

  • Providing you something tangible to sell beyond simply the assets of your business. This results in higher business evaluations.
  • Training of your staff becomes easier. You can utilize the manual as a training guideline AND a resource for them to refer to as they learn.
  • Team continuity. Your clients and customers are treated in the exact same manner no matter who they deal with in your business.
  • Franchise and expansion opportunities. If you are considering franchising your business or opening additional locations, SOPs make a great resource to ensure all franchises/locations are operating in the same manner.
  • You can take time off totally unplugged!! How many times have you been contacted by your team on a day off or a vacation with questions that could have easily been answered if they were documented in an SOP manual?

Who Needs Standard Operating Procedure Manuals

In my opinion, everyone needs Standard Operating Procedure Manuals and here are just some of the types of people who definitely should be taking the step to create manuals for their business.

Some of these people include entrepreneurs who:

  • Have a goal of scaling their business and eventually having a team to support them (if they don't already)
  • Want to sell their business someday or even transition it to someone new (no matter how far into the future that is)
  • Want to ensure their client's needs are met no matter what happens. If you don't put something in place how long will your clients wait before turning to someone else to meet their needs?
  • Are losing touch with what is going on in their business. When we are small we know what is going on, but as we grow we rely on others to help and sometimes we can lose touch with what processes are being followed by others. Just ask anyone that has had to step in for another team member and they know exactly what I mean.
  • Wants to have a self-sufficient business. Imagine being able to live a freedom-based lifestyle knowing your business continues to run without you?

Standard Operating Procedure Manual Preparation Services

We currently offer a variety of SOP Manual preparation services. These include:

  • Do it Yourself Services
  • Done with You Services
  • Done for You Services

No matter your budget, there is an option for you to take care of this important step in your business.

Read on to discover more about how each of these services works:

Do it Yourself Services

If you are the type of person who is ready to undertake the task of setting up SOP manuals for your business, but you just don't know where to start, (much like I was as described above) our Do It Yourself services are for you.

We have taken the time to create a template that asks you the questions to get you thinking about the areas to consider and what exactly should be documented.

Click here to see the manuals that are available and purchase yours today.

Your purchase includes both a pdf version that includes all the questions and a Microsoft Word version that you can use to easily enter your answers and document your procedures.

Done With You Services

We are here to work with someone on your team to assist in creating SOP manuals for your business, we provide the following services:

  • SOP Creation Assistance - we provide you with copies of our DIY SOP manuals, consulting hours and review hours - all packaged together to help you ensure this important task gets completed! We will even provide you or your team member with accountability to make sure you stay on track. (and... if you are on your own and do not currently have the time to devote to this project, we can even assist you to find a Virtual Assistant who can help you in completing the process!)
  • Consultations - you have questions? We have answers! You can ask us any questions that are directly related to your business SOP manuals.
  • Reviews - if you have a process written and you want some feedback, we are able to review your process and/or test it on your behalf

To learn more about these services, please send us an email to info@theweldgroup.ca

Done For You Services

With our Done for You Services, we make working with us as simple as a conversation! We ask you the necessary questions to get out of your head how you do business, so we can put it onto paper for others to understand and follow! This means everyone in your business is following the same procedures and your clients receive the same service no matter who they have contact with in your company.

When creating your SOP manuals, where a process does not exist, we work with you to create one so that your business becomes efficient.

We offer the following Done For You Services:

  • A single area of your business (for example the creation of a Sales manual)
  • Manuals covering all the areas of your business (as listed below in What SOP Manuals Do I Need)
  • Retail and/or Warehousing procedure manuals
  • Role-specific training manuals

To learn more about these services, please send us an email to info@theweldgroup.ca

More About Our SOP Creation Services...

With our SOP Creation Services, we help you (or your team member) throughout the SOP writing process with accountability, consulting and review services!

First, you are provided with copies of the DIY manuals to help you to understand where to get started! And these are included complimentary in your SOP Creation package.

Next, with our consulting services, wherever you need clarity as to how to document your services... or you know the current way you are doing things is just not working and you want to brainstorm a new process... or even wherever a process does into exist currently... we work with you to create the procedures that allow your business SOP manual to come to life.

We also provide you with review services that allow you to tap into our expertise to review what you (or your team) have created and provide feedback and as well even test the processes for you to make sure they are clear and can be followed for others.

Finally, we provide you with accountability to ensure your SOP manuals are staying on track and getting completed (because let's face it... who want to pay for a service where it simply sits on your To Do list and never gets done)!

Click here to schedule a complimentary discovery call to learn more about our SOP Creation Services and let's find a package that will work for you and your budget.

What Standard Operating Procedure Manuals Do I Need?

Operations Management

Area #1

Operations and Management

Includes the foundation of your business that makes it run (including your thought processes on how and why you run your business as you do)

Some of the areas covered include:

  • Day to day operations from the time you open, until you close, and everything in between
  • The basics behind your business such as vision, mission, core values, etc.
  • Your growth strategies and strategic plans
  • Your goal setting process and prioritization
  • SWOT analysis and research and development
  • Succession planning / exit strategies
  • Contingency planning
Human Resources / Team

Area #2

Human Resources and Team

Including how you attract, hire, train, engage and fire team members (and everything in between)

Some of the areas covered include:

  • Organization of your team (org charts, job descriptions, etc.)
  • Delegation strategies and project management
  • Compensation and benefits strategies
  • Your recruitment, hiring, and interviewing process
  • Orientation and training process (including on-going training)
  • Discipline and termination process
  • Employee engagement
  • Employee contracts, handbooks, policies, etc.
  • Health and Safety initiatives and plans
Sales & Services / Product

Area #3

Sales and Services / Products

Includes each step in how you turn prospects into paying clients and then how you deliver your services and products

Some of the areas covered include:

  • Sales philosophies and goals
  • Conversion of leads into conversations and/or clients
  • RFP, RFQ and tendering processes
  • Sales conversations including objections and follow ups
  • The client intake process
  • What services and products you offer
  • How you deliver your services and products

Note:  This is typically split into two manuals

Finance / Accounting / Purchasing

Area #4

Finance / Accounting / Purchasing

Includes all the items related to money flowing in and out of your business.

Some of the areas covered include:

  • Budgets and cash flow documents
  • Financial decision making and goal setting
  • Outlining the roles of your financial team
  • How you price your products and services
  • The #'s you track (Cost of Goods Sold, Customer Acquisition Costs, Return on Investment, etc.)
  • Your bookkeeping processes
  • Your purchasing processes
  • How you choose vendors and maintain relationships with them
Marketing

Area #5

Marketing

Includes how you get prospects and leads into your business

Some of the areas covered include:

  • Your marketing plan and budgets
  • Your company branding and messaging (both what it is and is not)
  • Your marketing IP and materials
  • Marketing measurement and analytics
  • Marketing strategies - online and offline
  • Referral programs and affiliate programs
Customers & Customer Service

Area #6

Customers and Customer Service

Includes how all interactions with your customers are handled and your customer service opinions and philosophies

Some of the areas covered include:

  • Defining your ideal client
  • Customer service policies and philosophies
  • How you are providing exceptional customer service
  • Your customer's journey including engagement throughout the journey
  • Handling of customers (engagement, complaints, loyalty programs, etc.)
Automation Systems & Technology

Area #7

Automation, Systems and Technology

Includes all the technological aspects of your business

Some of the areas covered include:

  • Data storage and management (including analysis)
  • Software Programs (such as CRMs, Project and task management systems, etc.) and how they are used in your business
  • Email and calendar management
  • Data backup and contingency plans for data protection

Note:  We also can provide a listing of where to find (and save) documents on your computer

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