There is much to-do about Policies and Procedures now, but, aside from current wave of employers developing P&P manuals, why should you create one? You should not undertake something, anything, without a clear purpose. Within today's very short blog, you'll find the precis version of Policies and Procedures.
First
Q. - What is a policy?
A. - Policies define their purpose and a definite course of action to direct the methods used by users to get to where you want to go?
Q. - What is a procedure?
A - Procedures provide the workhorse for the developed policies. They actually guide the work to get you to your destination from your desired policy statement.
Getting to work with a P&P manual
So, within the corporate culture, you've decided you need to provide services that mirror your philosophy and policies and procedures are developed around this thinking.
Understanding good policies and procedures and utilizing same is the difference between a smoothly running, well communicated corporate culture and one that is fractured, reactionary and defensive. Policies and procedures will not be followed if employees are not familiar with them or if they are not being followed at management level. Familiarize yourself with your P&P manual and your people will follow suit.
The purpose behind the manual
In addition to having a P&P manual available to your employees, it needs to be well written and cover every department and function within the organization.
Your people need to know where they're going.
They need to know how to get there and they need to be able to find the answers to get their job done for themselves.
The benefits to your organization
If every employee had a copy of a policies and procedures manual that was utilized rather than just being reviewed annually (granted, that's presuming it gets reviewed at all), they would become better trained and empowered. Reducing training time is a goal of every manager to ensure resources are being expended on results. Reduced training due to proper use of a policies and procedures manual also improves productivity. An empowered employee is a stronger employee and will be one of your greatest assets. Strengthening your employees, strengthens your organization.
Don't under-estimate the power of a well written, well used, Policies and Procedures manual.
First
Q. - What is a policy?
A. - Policies define their purpose and a definite course of action to direct the methods used by users to get to where you want to go?
Q. - What is a procedure?
A - Procedures provide the workhorse for the developed policies. They actually guide the work to get you to your destination from your desired policy statement.
Getting to work with a P&P manual
So, within the corporate culture, you've decided you need to provide services that mirror your philosophy and policies and procedures are developed around this thinking.
Understanding good policies and procedures and utilizing same is the difference between a smoothly running, well communicated corporate culture and one that is fractured, reactionary and defensive. Policies and procedures will not be followed if employees are not familiar with them or if they are not being followed at management level. Familiarize yourself with your P&P manual and your people will follow suit.
The purpose behind the manual
In addition to having a P&P manual available to your employees, it needs to be well written and cover every department and function within the organization.
Your people need to know where they're going.
They need to know how to get there and they need to be able to find the answers to get their job done for themselves.
The benefits to your organization
If every employee had a copy of a policies and procedures manual that was utilized rather than just being reviewed annually (granted, that's presuming it gets reviewed at all), they would become better trained and empowered. Reducing training time is a goal of every manager to ensure resources are being expended on results. Reduced training due to proper use of a policies and procedures manual also improves productivity. An empowered employee is a stronger employee and will be one of your greatest assets. Strengthening your employees, strengthens your organization.
Don't under-estimate the power of a well written, well used, Policies and Procedures manual.
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