Today is all about setting up your business for smoother handoffs and better consistency through Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Think of SOPs as the “how-to” guides that will allow you to step back from daily operations without sacrificing quality. By documenting key processes in detail, you’ll give your team a roadmap they can follow without needing to rely on you for every answer. This way, you’ll ensure that essential tasks are done efficiently, no matter who’s in charge.
As we build out these SOPs, we’ll focus on clarity and thoroughness. The aim is to make these documents detailed enough that someone with little background could step in and still understand exactly what to do. Each SOP will become a valuable asset, adding structure to your business and giving you the confidence to delegate core tasks. Today’s work is a big step toward making your business more independent and capable of running smoothly without constant oversight. Below are the two different approaches you can take to dive deeper.
Workshop: How to Develop SOPs that Empower You & Boost Productivity
In this immersive workshop, you’ll learn how to:
Why You Should Attend: SOPs are essential whether you’re a one-person powerhouse or envisioning future growth. This workshop equips you with skills to create clear, effective procedures that save time, reduce errors, and improve client satisfaction.
What You’ll Get:
Schedule: 2nd Thursday of every month.
If you'd prefer a personalized session, let's dive into what we'll cover in a day of working together.
Morning Session: Start with one key recurring process (e.g., lesson planning or podcast workflow). Map out each step, create a draft SOP.
This morning, we’ll jump right in by selecting one of your essential recurring tasks to create our first SOP—something like lesson planning or your podcast production process. Together, we’ll map out every single step from start to finish, leaving no detail behind. Imagine we’re building a blueprint that will guide someone else through the task as smoothly as if you were there, with each action spelled out clearly. This process might feel a little tedious at first, but the result will be a draft SOP that anyone can follow with ease.
Once we have the steps mapped out, we’ll start drafting the SOP itself. We’ll organize each step logically and add any notes, tools, or resources that would help someone understand the task without needing extra support. Think of it as a step-by-step guide that ensures consistency and efficiency every time this task is done. By the end of the session, we’ll have the bones of a reliable process that can be handed off confidently to another team member. This draft SOP will serve as the foundation for a streamlined, scalable workflow that you can replicate across your business.
Afternoon Session: Walk through the SOP with the COO or assistant to gather input and refine for clarity.
In the afternoon, we’ll bring in your COO or assistant to help refine the SOP we just drafted. This step is crucial because it lets you see the process from another perspective and catch any parts that may need more clarity. We’ll walk through each step together, gathering feedback on anything that feels unclear or could benefit from more detail. This isn’t just about double-checking; it’s about creating a resource that works for everyone involved, making delegation easier and setting up your team for success.
During this review, we’ll make any adjustments needed to ensure the SOP is as straightforward and user-friendly as possible. If your COO or assistant spots any areas that could be simplified or improved, we’ll work those suggestions in to make the process even more accessible. By bringing in someone else’s perspective, you’ll see the document through a fresh set of eyes, which will help make it truly effective. At the end of the session, we’ll have a well-rounded SOP draft that’s ready to be tested and put into action.
Action Item: Finalize the SOP draft, test it, and assign it to a team member or contractor for implementation.
To wrap up today, we’ll put our SOP to the test. Once it’s finalized, we’ll assign it to a team member or contractor to see how it performs in real life. This step is all about testing the SOP’s usability—does it provide the right guidance without needing additional support? By running a live test, you’ll confirm that the SOP can stand on its own, providing clear instructions and leading to consistent results.
If any issues come up during the test, we’ll make note of them and refine the document as needed. This is an iterative process, so we’ll tweak until it’s just right. Once the SOP is running smoothly in action, you’ll officially have one fully systemized task that you can delegate confidently. Over time, you’ll be able to replicate this approach across other processes, creating a library of SOPs that empower your team and free up your time. This action item brings you one step closer to a self-sustaining, scalable business.