Why You Need a Standard Operating Procedure Document When Hiring a Virtual Assistant

Most entrepreneurs start a business because they want the freedom of more hours to themselves. Sadly, sometimes that means being left with working more hours than before. It’s HARD work.

If you’ve found your way here, that means that you’re one of them.

The key to freedom in your one-(wo)man business is the ability to delegate. If you’re one who finds that difficult to do because, well, nobody can do it better than you, creating a standard operating procedure (SOP) is a good way to go.

So what is a standard operating procedure?

It’s essentially a recipe of clear-cut steps, tips, and tricks on how to complete all the tasks in your business. It allows you to ensure that your Virtual Assistant is on the same page.

You’re probably thinking, “I don’t have the time to complete these tasks, let alone create a step-by-step breakdown of how to complete them”. We understand. It might not be the most exciting thing to create, or one you find a need for as you’d expect someone to already know how to complete certain tasks, but it’s important to note that you’re inviting someone who is remote into your business and not someone seated next to you. If there is any grey area when it comes to a task, remote communication is not as easy as in-person communication.

It also comes in handy when you’re off ill or on a much-needed vacation. Your Virtual Assistant’s - or any employee’s - goal is to keep your business running on the back end.

How do I create one?

Do what you normally do, but take notes and share it with your Virtual Assistant.

OR

Open up your favourite screen-recording app and record each task from start to finish. Loom is free (for limited recordings of up to 5 minutes). You can ask your Virtual Assistant to jot it down in a Google Document for you later on.