Lately, I’ve been chatting with a lot of business owners who keep telling me, “I’m going to have to hire someone. I have no choice!” That’s a big step. Transitioning from a solopreneur to managing employees can be quite a challenge. Trust and delegation are two of the biggest hurdles you’re bound to run into.
As a solopreneur, you’re used to doing everything yourself and knowing exactly what needs to be done (and how to fix things when they go wrong). But how do you transfer all that knowledge while managing a team and still getting things done? It’s not an overnight process, that’s for sure. It takes repetition, analysis, adjustment, and potentially some more repetition. However, your employees can help you out with this. Pay close attention to the questions they ask as they learn. Those questions are like gold! They’ll show you where your communication hasn’t been clear and what you might have missed while training them.
Employee questions are such a valuable resource for developing better procedures. Those questions often arise from real-life situations and shed light on areas where existing systems might be outdated, unclear, or simply not cutting it. So, make sure you actively engage with those questions. Create a central question repository, like a digital platform or a shared document, where employees can submit their queries. Encourage a culture of curiosity and openness where they feel free to ask anything.
Once you’ve gathered a good number of questions, it’s time to categorize and analyze them. Sort them based on departments, functions, or processes, and look for patterns or recurring themes. This analysis will give you valuable insights into where your procedures need improvement. It might reveal gaps that require additional training materials, updates to existing systems, or even the creation of new processes. Pay attention to those insights – they empower you to address those gaps proactively.
Armed with those insights, you can start developing or enhancing your procedures. Fill in the gaps, clarify any confusing steps, and align your procedures with best practices. And don’t do it alone! Involve subject matter experts and experienced employees in the process. Their input will enrich your results and make them even better!
Remember, clear and effective communication is crucial throughout the procedure development process. Make sure to share the updated procedures with your entire workforce. Be transparent about the changes and explain how they’ll benefit the organization.
And here’s one more thing to remember – this isn’t a one-time thing. Foster a culture of continuous improvement by regularly seeking feedback from your employees. This feedback loop will help you refine your procedures, keeping them relevant and effective as your business evolves.
By recognizing the value of employee questions and using them as data, you can turn your team’s curiosity into a strategic advantage. So keep analyzing, improving, and empowering your employees – it’s how you’ll build a thriving and profitable business that stands the test of time!
Need some help getting this process started? Schedule a time to talk with us!