How to Leverage Your Business’s Secret Sauce — Your Core Processes

As a business owner, you probably understand the importance of consistency and scalability, but how to achieve them may be less evident. Establishing and implementing clearly defined core processes unique to your business model is an essential part of getting everyone on the same page and positioning your organization for growth.

But what are your core processes, and why do they matter?

They are part of the Process Component™, one of the six key components of the EOS Model^®. Your core processes work symbiotically with the other key components and are integral to overall success. You can’t skip them!

Get Into the Right Mindset

If you’re a Visionary, you might view creating processes as too much work and something that will tie you down. In reality, having well-defined processes frees you and everyone in your organization to accomplish more. Yes, belief in and passion for your company, your people, and their limitless possibilities remains important, but it’s not enough.

As Isadore Sharp, founder of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, recommends, “Systemize the predictable so you can humanize the exceptional.”

If you find you’re hesitant about devoting time and energy to the Process Component of your business, your sticking point might be a matter of mindset. In their book, “Process! How Discipline and Consistency Will Set You and Your Business Free,” authors Mike Paton and Lisa Gonzalez share that:

• You may not realize it, but your innate desire for continuous improvement — replicating what works and discontinuing what doesn’t — makes you naturally process-oriented.
• Without defined processes, you’re wasting time. A lack of processes can result in operational inefficiencies and employee turnover.
• Lack of process rather than too much process is what robs leaders of the freedom to innovate.

So, now that you’re committed to your Process Component, what’s next? Let’s discuss the steps for developing and implementing your core processes.

1. Identify Your Core Processes.

Inconsistent execution is among the most common problems that fast-growing companies face.

Every organization has a handful of processes that are critical to its success. It’s important to identify them so you can grow your business. Your industry, your company’s products and services, and other factors will determine your core processes. Here are some examples of what they might include:

• HR
• Marketing
• Sales
• Operations
• Accounting
• Customer retention
• Project management
• Engineering
• Estimating

2. Document Each Process.

Once you identify your business’s core processes, document the crucial steps of each from start to finish.

As you do…

1. Keep in mind the 20/80 rule — document 20% of the steps that get you 80% of the results. Typically, this will require one to three pages per process. Don’t strive to document 100% of the steps to get 100% of the results. That will lead to a 500-page Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) manual, which no entrepreneurial team member will want to read and keep updated. Eliminate unnecessary steps and condense information where you can.
2. For individuals who require more extensive instructions to execute a process, set up a more detailed sub-process that you can link to the higher-level process.
3. Embrace technology to streamline your efforts and use a checklist mentality, similar to a pilot preparing for takeoff.

3. Create a Central Source.

Too often, businesses have their processes and procedures scattered across their organization. Once your documentation of each process is complete, package your processes into one central source.

Instead of reinventing the wheel, try this:

• Use your process titles as your table of contents, making each documented process one of your sections.
• Use franchise model thinking.
• View your core processes as your business’s secret sauce. They represent the unique way you run your business and achieve success.

4. Get Your Team On Board.

Once you’ve documented your core processes, it’s time to share them with everyone in your organization.

• Take the time to train everyone who is part of or interacts with each core process – Make sure everyone participating in a process in any way is trained on it — whether through a one-on-one training session, Level 10 Meeting™, or another method.
• Put systems and measurables in place to ensure everyone follows the core processes – Consider adding relevant processes to your team’s scorecards to determine if they are providing the desired outputs.
• Instill accountability – If you have direct reports, lead them in following the processes relevant to their jobs. Hold them accountable — compliance with your organization’s core processes is not optional.
• Review, evaluate, and update – At least once per year, review each core process and determine if you must make any improvements or updates.

Benefits

You have everything to gain and nothing to lose by identifying, documenting, and implementing core processes. Strengthening your organization’s Process Component in this way will enable you to:

• Boost productivity and profitability
• Improve the quality of your products and services
• Elevate your brand’s reputation
• Increase customer satisfaction and loyalty
• Improve employee morale and job satisfaction
• Find more time to strategize and innovate
• Seamlessly scale your business

If you’re looking for support in identifying and documenting your core processes, I’m always here to help. Connect with me to learn more about streamlining and scaling your business.

Sources and References:

”Process! How Discipline and Consistency Will Set You and Your Business Free” by Mike Paton and Lisa Gonzalez, pp 1-18