Very useful feed. As a newbie I agree with Rhonda on building an operations manual as you go along. I am compiling a manual in the form of File Notes at the moment. These are notes on various subjects/tasks that I am working on with all the relevant information and actions required with paper copy filed at the front of each subject. Readily available for me to continuously update but hopefully soon to packaged in an allocated lever arch file. I think time taken now to set up an operations manual will be beneficial later.

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Ann Murphy
ATM Business Services Ltd

I currently do not have an operations manual but I will begin to draft one. Thanks for the insight and contributing to the success of us VA's..

We created an operations manual from the outset. We started with our business structure and processes and will keep adding to the manual as the business grows to ensure there is continuous improvement. As our VA business offers various services we needed to think through the business workflow for each service. Our manual depicts the process in a flow chart format and also has written detail for each service we offer. Our reason for creating the manual was firstly to ensure our staff understood the workflow process and secondly if we put on new people or use sub contractors they could understand the workflow process and the standard of work we expect. It was a valuable exercise becuase we had to think through the workflow process for each service from when the customer makes contact until the work is completed. We also use a Contact Relationship Management (CRM) system to manage personnel and job progress for our services so this was also included in our manual. This was a worthwhile exercise for us.

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Mariana
Online Team www.onlineteam.com.au

To me having an Operations Manual is a must for any business.

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Susan Mershon, PMP
http://clevercollaborations.com/

My operations manual covers everything to do with running my business, even down to fonts used.
I also have a wireless hotspot modem should my broadband go down.

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Cathy
Digital PA

My question to you guys is what exactly is the difference between a policies and procedures manual and a operations manual? I have policies and procedures manual and a terms and conditions sheet. I may have combined the operation within my policies and procedures and just not know it. I dont currently have and subcontractors so do i need to wait until then?

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Alisa A. Beatty ~Assistance You Can Count On~ www.virtual-jane.com

I am currently compiling an operations manual - mostly because I live in a natural disaster prone area, and when we dealt with tornadoes and such last year I decided I should have something that would allow my business to function in the wake of anything...

To Virtual Jane, From my understanding an operations manual and a policies and procedures manual are interchangeable. Both address your business policies, (rules and values), along with your particular business operations, (or the way that you initiate and follow-through with your clients and services for example). They are even sometimes called a "SOP" or "Standard Operating Procedure." That is from my old corporate days...

Thanks Valaxy! I think im set then.

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Alisa A. Beatty ~Assistance You Can Count On~ www.virtual-jane.com

I do not have one...it's the first I'm hearing of one actually.

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Trudy Del Brocco
TVA Tru-Virtual Assistance

I feel like my operations manual will never be complete. Every time I am nearly finished, I come up with something else to add!!

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Tanya Unruh
Digital Fahrenheit