Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 07-26-2010

I'm in the process of having my personal VA put together my business / operations manual for my company. I am having trouble knowing what all should go in it , how it should be formatting,etc. I know this might be a personal preference but I like to have a "cookie cutter" or "Mold" to go by. . . or at least give me some idea.

Would anyone be willing to share theirs or a template at least?

Thanks,

#2 (**permalink**) 07-26-2010

I always put my procedures for all I do in my manuals. I start in the front with company policy which entails what I expect and what I give in return. Then I go on to procedures for each item I do and this is separated into task sections. Since I am in real estate I have one for databases, one for listing coordination, one for transaction coordination, my letter library, etc. I also put a section in the end with all my passwords. I keep all client info in files so that it's not scattered, but even my files are split into sections. lol. I'm a organizing fanatic with regard to my files

#3 (**permalink**) 07-26-2010

I need a procedural manual as well. Thanks for asking this questions Alyssa. I will be watching this thread with great interest.

#4 (**permalink**) 07-29-2010

It depends what you are categorising as a Procedure Manual. You can have the operations manual which shows all the things expected from the business to anyone you employ or contract (eg: time restrictions,leave entitlements, your mission statement, pay processes etc - basically how you run your business and rules you expect others to follow within that business), then you also have the procedure side of things which are usually split up into different chapters (an example would be chapter 1 - process to be followed when answering phone and taking messages, chapter 2 - process to be followed when issuing service agreements etc). I have just finished a manual for a client and gone through all processes for his receptionist duties, and am now starting on the chapter of his systems protocol (time frames expected to be given if staff members want to take leave, how much leave is given each year etc). I am more than happy to answer any queries you have, just PM me at anytime.
I hope this has helped you somewhat. Unfortunately I do not have a copy of the procedure manual just yet, but hope to in the near future.
Regards
Brigette

#5 (**permalink**) 10-25-2010

The following is a suggested list of topics to address in your manual:
¨ Company Overview & History
¨ Mission Statement
¨ Opening Procedures
¨ Closing Procedures
¨ Cash Handling
¨ Daily Tasks
¨ Alarm System Operations
¨ Safe Opening and Closing Procedures
¨ Contact Numbers for Emergencies or Information
¨ Employee Shift Coverage
¨ Website Procedures
¨ Customer Service Procedures
¨ Sales Procedures
¨ Sales Quotas
¨ Commission Payments
¨ Order Processing
¨ Credit Card Processing
¨ Refunds and Returns
¨ Gift Certificates
¨ Special Orders
¨ Shipping & Receiving
¨ Equipment Handling
¨ Equipment Maintenance (replacing printer cartridges, receipt tape, etc.)
¨ Security Procedures
¨ Emergency Procedures
¨ Product Pricing and Discounts
¨ Other Miscellaneous Procedures and Anything Specific to the Way Your Business Operates

If you are unsure about the completeness of your manual, ask yourself "Would someone be able to step in and run my business from this information if I were not available?"

#6 (**permalink**) 10-27-2010

Wow!

I didn't even know I was looking for this. I have been thinking about putting together a sales or training manual for a while, but was just stumped. I think I'm going to start with this list of topics and tweak it as I go

Thanks,

Eris

#7 (**permalink**) 10-27-2010

OMGD I NEED ONE SO BAD!!!!

If only I could find time to do it. I need someone to sit with me and ask me quesitons to create it for me. My list of to do's is huge!