Operations Manuals - Service levels

Standard level– where we:

1. Conduct an initial free consultation to understand your needs;

2. Agree the content and purpose of your operations manual;

3. Collate any existing documents and resources (by correspondence);

4. Compile an operations manual that applies your content to our existing template for your business type.

(30-40% bespoke and 4 to 8 weeks to deliver after collecting your materials).

Enhanced level – where we:

1. Conduct an initial free consultation to understand your needs.

2. Meet again to agree the depth, purpose, format and content of the manual(s).

3. Create and agree a structure and detailed list of contents for the new manual(s).

4. Spend 1-2 days observing processes in your business;

5. Conduct 1-3 meetings to collect data, discuss processes and interview management.

6. List requirements and manage the collection of existing documents from your team;

7. Agree what gaps exist and new procedures to fill those gaps;

8. Write a ‘test’ section in your corporate format and ‘voice’ for approval.

9. Write first draft of your operations manual (mainly bespoke but using our experience and templates to fill gaps);

10. Conduct 1-2 meetings with management to review and amend the initial draft.

11. Create the final draft of your operations manual to your satisfaction.

(About 60-70% bespoke and 8-16 weeks after collecting materials and interviewing your Team).

Top level (+ performance review) – where we:

1. Conduct an initial free consultation to understand your needs.

2. Meet again to agree depth, purpose, format and content of the manual(s) and to discuss opportunities or issues in the business.

3. Propose and agree project management, responsibilities and deadlines.

4. Create and agree a structure and detailed list of contents for the new operations manual(s).

5. Conduct 2-4 meetings to collect data, discuss processes and interview management.

6. List requirements and manage the collection of existing documents from your team;

7. Create and agree a schedule of performance-review observation visits, management and team interviews (and staff discussion forums, if appropriate).

8. Visit your operation (at multiple sites, if needed) for 4-10 full days, to observe processes and performance first-hand and to interview your Team.

9. Create a summary report detailing: opportunities to enhance processes, performance, sales and profitability, etc.; any inefficiencies; risks (commercial, statutory or health & safety) presented by any current practice; gaps in instruction, procedures and training; suggestions or issues reported by your Team; AND our proposals to enhance the business in those areas.

10. Meet to discuss the report, agree actions to take (or otherwise) and how to implement (or test) any new processes.

11. Work with your team to set-up and test changes in the field – and then review results (with more visits, if necessary) before agreeing which to include in the operations manual(s).

12. Create the final agreed list of contents for the new operations manual(s) in detail (often 30+ pages in itself).

13. Write a ‘test’ section of your operations manual in your corporate format and ‘voice’ for approval.

14. Write the full first draft completely bespoke from a ‘clean sheet of paper’ – adding preexisting materials only where agreed.

15. Conduct 1-2 meetings with management to review and amend the initial draft of your operations manual;

16. Provide a second draft with the agreed amendments.

17. Work with your Team to ‘test’ that second draft at one of your sites or with a panel of operational staff.

18. Meet again to review and amend the second draft after testing.

19. Create and deliver the third and final draft of operations manuals to your satisfaction.

20. (At this level of service, we will amend the final draft of your operations manuals for an agreed period after delivery – to further support you after launching your new operations manuals).

    (Fully bespoke. Visits, testing and delivery scheduled over 6, 9 or 12 months )

Operations Manuals

Because our manuals explain every task in your operation step by step and are written bespoke - we can use the ‘language’ of your brand to create manuals that are easy to follow and that your Team actually use. And we manage the whole process and write everything for you.

Go back to Ops Manuals home>>

New Procedures for Brexit

To remain successful, your business must adapt for Brexit (even if you don’t trade in Europe). Let us develop the new procedures and manuals you need to stay ahead, leaving your team free to concentrate on your success post-Brexit.

See how we can help you plan and adapt for Brexit>>

Review of Existing Manuals

Existing manuals become less useful (even dangerous) without regular review – as they won’t detail changes to procedures and may contain/omit policies contrary to law. We review manuals, manage changes, write updates and help introduce new versions to your Team or franchisees.

Learn about or manual reviews and updating>>

Consultancy

We have served clients in all sectors in the UK and abroad at all stages of development and have the experience to advise you on performance and improvement, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), franchising, growth, organisational structures, change management and more.

Explore our consulting services>>

Franchise Manuals

With over 20 years’ experience serving franchises in all sectors in the UK and abroad, our franchise manuals reinforce relationships with franchisees, protect your brand and provide clear step-by-step guides for franchisee (and head office) operations to a high standard.

Find out more about our franchise manuals>>

Training

Good training is imperative to support your manuals. We create engaging programmes that your Team will enjoy and your business (or franchise) will profit from – and can deliver them too.

Discover our training services>>

User (Customer) Manuals

Because we have many years’ experience developing operations manuals and writing up clear step by step procedures - we can also create detailed user manuals and instruction books for you that your customers will find easy to follow.

Find out about our user manuals>>

Online Guides & Templates

For a quality manual that’s ready on time, it’s usually better (and often more cost effective) to use professional manual-writers instead of trying to write manuals yourself. But if you are set on giving it a go - have a look at our expanding selection of online guides and templates.

Online guides and templates (NEW)>>