For example, do you do trade shows? Do you have a procedures that tell you how to prepare, what to bring, how to set up at the site, how to break down and what to do when you get home? How about networking? What do you need to do while you prepare? At the event? After the event?

Once you are done with this exercise you will have a beginning list of procedures to write. Now, put a date next to each one. That's the due date for the procedure. Don't make them all

It's far easier to rush around, checking items off of your "to do" list than it is to sit quietly and think about your business. Somehow, you don't feel as accomplished or satisfied pondering a business plan or engaging in strategic thinking as you do developing the next widget for sale.

However, what I know is that strategic thinking is the only method that works if you are going to grow your business. Developing procedures and an operations manual is part of that process. This article talks about three (of many) things you can do that will move your business to the next level where you can earn more and work less. These three points will be:

• Create an operations manual
• Start creating procedures
• Procedure-making made fast.

Before you read any further, please take out a lined piece of paper. At the top write, "Procedures to Write." This will be the first entry in your Operations Manual. Don't have an Operations Manual? That's Your first assignment! Go to your local office supply store and pick up a manual that's about two or three inches wide. Get the kind with the plastic cover that allows you to slip in a paper noting what the notebook contains. While you are at it, get a second one which will eventually contain your business plan (there's another article coming on that!). Once home, create your cover the Operations Manual. It doesn't have to be boring. It can be as creative and colorful and you and your business! Remember, this manual is going to allow you to make more money and work less.

Now you can go back to your piece of paper. Give yourself about 15 minutes (set a timer, please) to brainstorm all the procedures that you could write to help your company. If you can do this brainstorming with others, it's even better. Group wisdom can be incredibly insightful.

For example, do you do trade shows? Do you have a procedures that tell you how to prepare, what to bring, how to set up at the site, how to break down and what to do when you get home? How about networking? What do you need to do while you prepare? At the event? After the event?

Once you are done with this exercise you will have a beginning list of procedures to write. Now, put a date next to each one. That's the due date for the procedure. Don't make them all

that process. This article talks about three (of many) things you can do that will move your business to the next level where you can earn more and work less. These three points will be:

• Create an operations manual
• Start creating procedures
• Procedure-making made fast.

Before you read any further, please take out a lined piece of paper. At the top write, "Procedures to Write." This will be the first entry in your Operations Manual. Don't have an Operations Manual? That's Your first assignment! Go to your local office supply store and pick up a manual that's about two or three inches wide. Get the kind with the plastic cover that allows you to slip in a paper noting what the notebook contains. While you are at it, get a second one which will eventually contain your business plan (there's another article coming on that!). Once home, create your cover the Operations Manual. It doesn't have to be boring. It can be as creative and colorful and you and your business! Remember, this manual is going to allow you to make more money and work less.

Now you can go back to your piece of paper. Give yourself about 15 minutes (set a timer, please) to brainstorm all the procedures that you could write to help your company. If you can do this brainstorming with others, it's even better. Group wisdom can be incredibly insightful.

For example, do you do trade shows? Do you have a procedures that tell you how to prepare, what to bring, how to set up at the site, how to break down and what to do when you get home? How about networking? What do you need to do while you prepare? At the event? After the event?

Once you are done with this exercise you will have a beginning list of procedures to write. Now, put a date next to each one. That's the due date for the procedure. Don't make them all

in your Operations Manual. Don't have an Operations Manual? That's Your first assignment! Go to your local office supply store and pick up a manual that's about two or three inches wide. Get the kind with the plastic cover that allows you to slip in a paper noting what the notebook contains. While you are at it, get a second one which will eventually contain your business plan (there's another article coming on that!). Once home, create your cover the Operations Manual. It doesn't have to be boring. It can be as creative and colorful and you and your business! Remember, this manual is going to allow you to make more money and work less.

Now you can go back to your piece of paper. Give yourself about 15 minutes (set a timer, please) to brainstorm all the procedures that you could write to help your company. If you can do this brainstorming with others, it's even better. Group wisdom can be incredibly insightful.

For example, do you do trade shows? Do you have a procedures that tell you how to prepare, what to bring, how to set up at the site, how to break down and what to do when you get home? How about networking? What do you need to do while you prepare? At the event? After the event?

Once you are done with this exercise you will have a beginning list of procedures to write. Now, put a date next to each one. That's the due date for the procedure. Don't make them all

Manual. It doesn't have to be boring. It can be as creative and colorful and you and your business! Remember, this manual is going to allow you to make more money and work less.

Now you can go back to your piece of paper. Give yourself about 15 minutes (set a timer, please) to brainstorm all the procedures that you could write to help your company. If you can do this brainstorming with others, it's even better. Group wisdom can be incredibly insightful.

For example, do you do trade shows? Do you have a procedures that tell you how to prepare, what to bring, how to set up at the site, how to break down and what to do when you get home? How about networking? What do you need to do while you prepare? At the event? After the event?

Once you are done with this exercise you will have a beginning list of procedures to write. Now, put a date next to each one. That's the due date for the procedure. Don't make them all

For example, do you do trade shows? Do you have a procedures that tell you how to prepare, what to bring, how to set up at the site, how to break down and what to do when you get home? How about networking? What do you need to do while you prepare? At the event? After the event?

Once you are done with this exercise you will have a beginning list of procedures to write. Now, put a date next to each one. That's the due date for the procedure. Don't make them all due the same day. Allow a week to pass in between each one. On the other hand, you can probably do more than one a month.

Want a quick way to write a procedure? Here you go:
Whenever you do something for your business, keep a digital recorder handy. As you go through the process, speak aloud what you are doing. For example, after a trade show you might say, "I am unloading the boxes and making sure there are 20 copies of order forms, five copies of the special report and 20 copies of the free article handout. I'm creating the copies I need to get to that number." You get the idea.

When you complete a procedure, simply type out what you did in the following format:

• Unload boxes
• Make sure all copies are complete: 20 copies of order forms, five copies of the special report, 20 copies of the free article handout.
• Create needed copies.

(Better yet, get your virtual assistant to transcribe the words!) Have someone else read it to make sure it makes sense to them.

Then use the procedure the next time you go through the process and make sure you haven't missed anything. Voila! Procedure!