Want to work with me to get your SOPs updated (or created for the first time)? Join me for a live workshop on September 21, 2023. 🔗 Here's where you can learn more: processdriven.co/services/sop
Coming back to this video after almost a year, now having had to delegate several types of task (and surprise, haven't yet made the SOPs which is why I'm back on here), I love the idea of the "What's the Purpose" section. Not only as the video says does it show appreciation for the work being done as opposed to treating the doer as an interchangeable machine, but also it invites the proposal of better solutions that reach the purpose. One thing I found consistently during these projects is that people feel really empowered when you allow them to problem solve and bring ideas to the table, and very often can come up something that you didn't think of from under the baggage of the original solution. I saw that kind of empowerment can make the difference between someone getting the task out of the way and someone feeling invested in the success of the enterprise.
Absolutely! That's the key. So exhausting to hear the SOP discussion being dominated by managers looking for more and more control without thinking about it from the user's perspective. Domineering SOPs are the way of old. We can (and should) do better!
I love your well thought out views. Most of the CEO's I work with I advise to create loom videos, especially if they are hiring someone soon or don't have anyone else to help them get out the information. This is really only step 1. Then the VA or the OBM changes he video into the actual SOP, which is then reviewed by the CEO after. I am happy you brought up the fact that processes are changed quickly and the SOP's need to be accessed quickly for recommended or updated changes. I really like ClickUp's new Docs for this, but they dont' have editing or edit and approvals yet... which would be awesomesauce.
Spot on when you say: I don't care your 15-min video. Just tell me the answer! Appreciate your effort on making your video more searchable with timestamps.
You can also cut down the entire video/experience in smaller chunks! Lot easier to search, the person who needs it can immediately click and use what he wants to use + if it ever needs to be updated you don't need to record the whole video again or deleting and stitching parts ;).
What I do is I record only what is necessary and usually it is just an experience/example. It's all about setting the stage and not about learn this and do it exactly like this. Because the person has to think for himself and help the team with their ideas :)
It's surprising if you train employees the right way the first time, they remember it and they stick to it. If your standards and expectations keep changing, your employees will just do what they think is best. SOPs provide both YOU and your staff the discipline to stay consistent with how things are done! Stop answering employee questions - refer them to the SOP. Instead of telling them what needs to happen and why it needs to happen. You need to refer them to the SOP. If you don't have it in SOP form, then you can't hold them accountable to your policy. If the SOP does not exist, ask the employee to create it. When you have your SOP about “How to take orders from customers when the computer is down”, then you do not have to react to that situation and hurry up and instruct all the employees on what they should be doing, you just say, “go read the SOP”.
Want to work with me to get your SOPs updated (or created for the first time)? Join me for a live workshop on September 21, 2023.
🔗 Here's where you can learn more: processdriven.co/services/sop
Coming back to this video after almost a year, now having had to delegate several types of task (and surprise, haven't yet made the SOPs which is why I'm back on here), I love the idea of the "What's the Purpose" section.
Not only as the video says does it show appreciation for the work being done as opposed to treating the doer as an interchangeable machine, but also it invites the proposal of better solutions that reach the purpose. One thing I found consistently during these projects is that people feel really empowered when you allow them to problem solve and bring ideas to the table, and very often can come up something that you didn't think of from under the baggage of the original solution. I saw that kind of empowerment can make the difference between someone getting the task out of the way and someone feeling invested in the success of the enterprise.
Absolutely! That's the key.
So exhausting to hear the SOP discussion being dominated by managers looking for more and more control without thinking about it from the user's perspective.
Domineering SOPs are the way of old. We can (and should) do better!
YES!! We have done both extremes of this. I did the recordings then made everyone flesh out the details. Then we have updated the text not the video.
Thank you so much for sharing!
I love your well thought out views. Most of the CEO's I work with I advise to create loom videos, especially if they are hiring someone soon or don't have anyone else to help them get out the information. This is really only step 1. Then the VA or the OBM changes he video into the actual SOP, which is then reviewed by the CEO after.
I am happy you brought up the fact that processes are changed quickly and the SOP's need to be accessed quickly for recommended or updated changes.
I really like ClickUp's new Docs for this, but they dont' have editing or edit and approvals yet... which would be awesomesauce.
Thank you so much for sharing! This is such great insight!
Spot on when you say: I don't care your 15-min video. Just tell me the answer! Appreciate your effort on making your video more searchable with timestamps.
😄 Precisely. I recognize the irony of saying that IN a long-form video, too. Ha! I'm glad the timestamps are helpful to you!
You can also cut down the entire video/experience in smaller chunks! Lot easier to search, the person who needs it can immediately click and use what he wants to use + if it ever needs to be updated you don't need to record the whole video again or deleting and stitching parts ;).
What I do is I record only what is necessary and usually it is just an experience/example. It's all about setting the stage and not about learn this and do it exactly like this. Because the person has to think for himself and help the team with their ideas :)
Also use tekst, gifs, FAQ, examples if necessary ofcourse and make it on a page combining it! I would love to hear how other people do this :)
I so enjoy your content! Very helpful information and you keep me entertained at the same time :)
I'm so glad! It's sometimes hard to make SOPs fun - as you might imagine- but I do try! Ha! 😂
I use Whimsical + Loom and works very well!
Incredible insights
Happy to hear it! 😄
It's surprising if you train employees the right way the first time, they remember it and they stick to it. If your standards and expectations keep changing, your employees will just do what they think is best. SOPs provide both YOU and your staff the discipline to stay consistent with how things are done!
Stop answering employee questions - refer them to the SOP. Instead of telling them what needs to happen and why it needs to happen. You need to refer them to the SOP. If you don't have it in SOP form, then you can't hold them accountable to your policy. If the SOP does not exist, ask the employee to create it.
When you have your SOP about “How to take orders from customers when the computer is down”, then you do not have to react to that situation and hurry up and instruct all the employees on what they should be doing, you just say, “go read the SOP”.
Hey Dave! Absolutely - SOPs are a powerful tool when used correctly!
I use Visio to map out our processes. I agree that videos not very helpful
Thanks for sharing, Kimberly! Visio is great.
Can you explain your reasoning in why videos are not very helpful? Love to hear :)