What the Heck is an SOP?

It’s not another buzzword. SOPs have been a part of running a good business since well before the birth of the stock market. An SOP is a Standard Operating Procedure, also sometimes called a playbook. Playbooks are critical to running a good business, because they ensure consistency in your delivery, they optimize your efficiency, they provide operational continuity, regardless of the team you have in place.

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in business. Playbooks have a place from the start. Establishing your processes while you’re small will build the foundation for later scale.

A playbook (or SOP) should:

• Define the systems or tools used in the process.
• Assign the roles/people involved in the process.
• Outline the steps and sequences to complete the process.
• Be detailed enough that someone could follow the process, but not so detailed that there is no room for problem-solving or creativity.

Why implement playbooks in your business?

1. Playbooks increase efficiency. Processes aren’t being re-invented every time a task needs to be completed.
2. A company run with playbooks provides a consistent experience to customers, employees, vendors, and partners. You don’t have to wonder what you’re going to get.
3. Training new team members becomes easier and faster with defined processes and systems. New team members have a point of reference when questions arise.
4. You’ll save time and money by using playbooks. You don’t duplicate efforts. You identify areas for improvement.
5. Playbooks allow your company to scale. You can hire faster, increase capacity more quickly, and grow more seamlessly with a defined set of processes, rules, and systems.

An SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) or Playbook is simply a roadmap for how your business runs. With established playbooks, you’ll create efficiency, consistency, and sanity in your business, all while building long-term value.