The first five processes a new business should write down

Why bother when you are the only one doing it?

Because you will not be the only one for long, and because writing a process down is the quickest way to notice that it does not make sense. A process on paper can be improved; a process in your head can only be repeated.

The five

• Enquiry: who replies, how fast, what you ask, where it is recorded.
• Quote: how you price, what is included, how long a quote is valid.
• Delivery: the steps from “yes” to “done”, with a checklist.
• Invoicing: when you bill, how, and what happens when payment is late.
• Follow-up: how you ask for feedback, referrals and repeat work.

Keep them short

Half a page each is plenty. If a process needs more, it is probably two processes. Store them somewhere everyone can find, and add the date you last reviewed them.