By The Way, What Are SOPs?

If you’re doing business without SOPs, you need to stop!

But if you don’t know what SOPs are…that may have gone over your head. 

Here’s the definition of SOPs, the impact they have on your business, and why your brand’s growth depends on them.                                                          

What Are SOPs?

SOPs stands for Standard Operating Procedures. These are brief, clear documents that contain actionable steps and workflows.

Ultimately, SOPs create easy-to-follow flowcharts for individual tasks.

An example of an SOP would be a documented flowchart of your onboarding process or employing a new team member. 

The SOPs will outline the general direction and process of particular elements of your business.

Why Your Business Needs SOPs To Grow

Think about a brand you admire. Chances are, that brand uses SOPs to keep their processes consistent and their growth on the increase without too many variations. 

The benefits of SOPs are extensive. Here are four reasons your business depends on SOPs:

1. You’re Laying Down Consistency Across Your Team

Everyone knows that consistency is vital when it comes to business growth. As your company evolves, you’ll need to outsource and build a team – if you haven’t already. 

With that in mind, it’s fundamental that everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet.

A standard operating procedure will ensure that every team member performs the same process for the good of your company and your employees. 

2. SOPs Make Hiring And Retaining Employees So Much Easier 

When you onboard new employees, you can save time, money, and resources by introducing them to your standard operating procedures. Within minutes, your new employees will be able to understand what needs to be executed, how, and in what order. You’ll be giving them clarity so they can fulfill their true potential. 

This also takes the pressure off of you, as you’re able to provide a document for direction rather than needing to explain it step by step verbally. 

3. SOPs Help You Locate Any Gaps In Your Business 

Until you write it all down, you’ll likely have holes in your processes. But, if not, there are definitely elements you can improve upon, making them swifter, smoother, and more effective. 

Creating and perfecting your standard operating procedure allows you to view any gaps within your business to fill them for business growth. 

4. You’ll Be Improving Reliability Levels In Customer Service. 

As mentioned previously: consistency is vital. This is accurate for your team but also for your customers. Should there be a complaint, feedback, questions, queries, or any other interaction between your brand and its buyers, you’ll need to ensure everyone is treated the same way. 

Without this consistency, your brand will be viewed as unreliable. So, create and streamline your SOPs for maximum consistency. 

Stop Doing Business Without SOPs. 

With these four reasons why your business’s growth relies on standard operating procedures, you’ll need to begin documenting the processes within each factor: marketing, sales, customer service – to name but a few. 

Above all, SOPs promise consistency within the brand, which translates to reliability and trust. Both of these are crucial for business growth. In fact, they’re so vital that businesses cannot grow without them.