…with the right Policies and Procedures (Systems)
Systems are an essential element of any organization, and are absolutely critical to ScaleUP – they are manifested in the form of Policies and Procedures Manuals, tailored to each organization and operating division thereof. Policies are designed to influence and determine all major decisions and actions, and all activities that take place within the boundaries set by the underlying policies. Procedures are the specific methods adopted to express policies in action in day-to-day operations of the organization. Implementing the right Policies and Procedures will go far toward ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, while offering decision-making guidance and serving as a roadmap to streamline internal processes.
When properly created and deployed, policies and procedures help organizations get organized, save time and money as well provide a step up to ScaleUP your organization.
The most important part of integrating them into your organization is to make sure they are followed by everyone from the top leadership to those just starting out. They provide a framework with detailed instructions for every aspect of running your organization.
Policies and Procedures are the foundation for all your business processes. Done correctly, they provide consistency. They provide a detailed framework for employees to understand what is expected of them and what they can expect from the organization.
The importance of developing and implementing written Policies and Procedures that cover legal issues that may come up, including operational conditions, ethical concerns, human resources issues and more, cannot be overstated. It is equally essential for all staff members – employees and independent contractors alike – to be provided with copies of all Policies and Procedures before starting their position, and to “sign off” and confirm their adherence to same.
There are several types of Policies and Procedures/Manuals, which most organizations should consider, ranging from Operations to Sales & Marketing to Human Resources, to name a few. Within these Manuals, below are our suggestions for the top policies that should always be included:
- Quality/quality control
- Environmental
- Codes of Conduct
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Employment (Hiring/Recruiting, Equal Opportunity/Inclusion) including Independent Contractors
- Purchasing
- Use of Internet, email, social media
- Hiring/Recruiting – Equal Opportunity/Inclusion
- Customer Service
- Product Sales/Purchasing
- Compensation & Benefits
- Workplace Safety
- Non-disclosure
The number of and types of policies an organization should develop will depend on several factors including: the legal structure of an organization, the type of products and/or services sold and delivered, the staffing of the entity, whether there is a physical location, and so on.
Structure within growing companies is so essential to the company’s ability to ScaleUP. Systems help you to duplicate, grow, maintain good company health, retain quality staff and set the organization up to ScaleUP and/or be ripe for sale/exit (or both). The time spent creating and implementing these Policies and Procedures will result in having more time to focus on company growth and profitability. Having the right Policies and Procedures in place will also address issues such as succession planning, expanding, etc.
ScaleUPCheckUP™ helps growing organizations create policies, procedures, manuals and so much more. We have many strategic partners whose sole focus is on building custom Policies and Procedures Manuals (systems) for ScaleUP businesses!
ScaleUPCheckUP™ is here and it is a game-changer.
The game is about to change – are you ready?
To ensure a solid foundation for growth, try our ScaleUPCheckUP™ assessment now: ScaleUPCheckUP™.com/assessment.
And, ScaleUPCheckUP™ has built a vetted network of high-touch advisors – INCLUDING AMAZING POLICIES & PROCEDURES/SYSTEMS EXPERTS – who are at-the-ready to serve all of your business’s professional needs and, most importantly, to protect your business as you grow.
ScaleUPCheckUP™’s blog, website, newsletter and other forms of communication contain general information about legal and related matters. The information is not legal advice and should not be treated as such. You must not rely on the information on this website as an alternative to legal advice from your attorney or other professional legal services provider. If you have any specific questions about any legal matter you should consult your attorney or other professional legal services provider.