JR (Japan Railways) thought me a valuable lesson, I took the train twice from Osaka to Kyoto, and this is what I observed! When the train is 5 minutes near the station, each JR staff who’s assigned to clean the train will be stationed where the train exits are, and they’ll all face on the same side, once the train arrives they’ll face on the opposite side, and greet each passenger “hello and goodbye”, after all the passengers exit the train, they will go inside the train and put the cleaning sign, and all the staffs will clean the same way.
What did I learn from them? I learned about the importance of System, a detailed procedures or routines to perform a duty. I also call it “The Operations Manual”.
Why should I have an Operations Manual in my business?
1. It organizes your business, and it helps achieve consistency and efficiency.
2. It helps remove you in the Business and place you on the Business instead (You may see tasks that can be delegated therefor you’ll have time to grow your business)
3. It helps you measure the result and allows you to improve the system further
How do I create an Operations Manual?
1. First identify the major tasks in your business like Sales, Accounting and Finance, Employee Training, etc.
2. Start writing down the process in each major task (it can be in a flowchart type/ step by step form)
3. Compile it into one Operations Manual and share it to the board of directors
For the business to grow, I strongly believe that every employer should have an Operations Manual!