Harness the Power of Process

At Hire Standard we are the first to admit that we can’t rely on our memories. We have a process and procedure for most everything we do. And we are continually updating and refining as we learn and grow. We feel that if we have to look something up or figure something out, we write a process for it to save time and frustration in the future. We call it the “hit by the bus” theory, that if someone didn’t make it into work, someone else could do their job in a pinch.

We also strongly rely on checklists for many of our routine tasks, as well as those that only come up occasionally. This might seem like common sense, however, according to this Ted Talk by Dr. Atul Gawande, they found that creating checklist for surgeons reduced death and disability dramatically.

Acknowledging that we are all human and fallible, creating a process and procedure manual along with checklists is important for any organization. Doing so can remind you of the key things that are commonly forgotten, keep you from second guessing, and prevent a problem before it happens. It is also a way to ensure your deliverables are consistent and your outcomes are accurate. Even something as simple as saving an email that you had to send so that you can use it as a template to send the next time you get a similar enquiry.

As a manager, having clear expectations and guidelines for your employees makes everyone's jobs more efficient and your ability to check in and follow up streamlined. It is also wise to make back up plans in case of emergency so that you are not having to make important decisions under pressure.

Having a reference guide as a training tool will help set up a new or temporary employee for success. A good way to get started is having your newest employee make notes as they are learning and can see things with fresh eyes. Any time you have an incident, a miscommunication, or find a better way to do something, write a process and procedure for it.

Our motto at Hire Standard is "Value your People, Trust our Process". In all our interactions with clients, applicants and internal staff we value people’s time and try to be as efficient and responsive as possible in all our communication.