If things are running less efficiently in your business, then it may be time to update your best practices at work. These policies may have become like old shoes, that are no longer in fashion.
Best practices can provide a path to business management success and a way to maintain standards. But over time, are they thought of like leftovers. Look for these signs to help you decide whether it’s time to update your best practices:
No Longer Followed
The instructions are clear but people ignore them. This is either a sign that you manage a bunch of rebels or there is a problem with the policies.
Rules that aren’t being followed aren’t worth much to your organization. Try to find out if there’s a reason for the change and if there’s a better way to do things.
Out of Date
There was a time when sending an important document meant using a courier. Now, it’s as easy as attaching a file to an email or texting it.
Policies can have a lifespan and it can be easy to keep doing the same things, day after day. But there’s a chance that the old way has become more complicated than needed, in an evolving world.
Look for Frustration
Find out what processes people feel negatively about. Are they stressed out by having to do something with a lot of steps or does it just seem unnecessary?
While certain work needs to be done, even if it is unpleasant, unhappiness with it can be a clue to change. Some employees may think of the rules as being set in stone, never to be replaced or modified. As a result, they suffer in silence.
Start a dialogue to learn what best practices they don’t like anymore.
Not Explained to New Employees
Every business will experience employee turnover. Does the rush to fill a vacant position come at the expense of best practice training? Is it any surprise people aren’t doing what you want?
Make sure people know what you want them to do and why it is important.
Along those lines, it can be wise to hold a refresher session for your long term employees, as things can be forgotten. This also can open the door to deciding it’s time to update your best practices at work.
Ken Okel Performs Virtual Keynotes Too
