Morris County Chamber of Commerce
  • JOIN
    • Become a Member
    • Premier Membership
    • What Members Are Saying >
      • Share a Testimonial
    • Membership Inquiry
    • The Value of Membership >
      • Grow Your Business
      • Build Your Brand
      • Professional Development & Education
      • Government Advocacy
      • Community Outreach & Volunteering
    • New Member Survey
    • Power of Connection
  • About
    • Chamber Team
    • Our Mission
    • Our President
    • Board of Directors
    • Morris Business Cabinet
    • President's Circle
    • Chamber Champions
    • Ambassadors Council
    • Inclusivity Advisory Council
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Code of Conduct & COVID Policy
  • Membership
    • Member Benefits
    • Forums & Committees >
      • Business Development Forum
      • Business Strategy Forum
      • Health & Wellness Forum
      • Not For Profit Roundtable
      • Real Estate Forum
      • RISE Morris: Young Professionals Forum
      • Women in Business Program >
        • WIB Event Committee
    • Member to Member Deals
    • Member Marketing Opportunities
    • Grand Opening Support
    • Conference Room Usage
    • Member Referral Bonus
    • Connect to Morris Job Bank
  • Events
    • Chamber Event Calendar
    • Member Events Calendar
    • Signature Events & Programs
    • Golf Donations 2025
    • Event Photos
    • Submit an Event Idea
    • CCM Grant-Supported Training
  • Directory
    • Searchable Business Directory
    • Nonprofit Giving Guide 2024
    • Member Spotlights
    • Legal Resources >
      • Employment Law
      • Commercial Services
      • Business Representation
      • General Legal
    • Enhance Your Directory Listing
  • News & Info
    • Electronic Certificate of Origin
    • Business Resources & Info
    • Chamber Magazines
    • News Around the Chamber >
      • Around the Chamber Archive
      • Submit a Press Release
    • MCCC Blog >
      • Contribute to Our Blog
    • Members' Bookshelf >
      • Members Library Submission
  • Programs
    • Economic Development Corp
    • EDC Business Counseling
    • Public Policy Series
    • CEO Round Table
    • Lead Morris >
      • Lead Morris Program
      • Lead Morris Alumni Council
      • LEAD Morris Alumni Directory
      • Lead Morris FAQs
      • Lead Morris Application
      • LEAD Morris News & Info
      • Share a LEAD Morris Testimonial
    • Women In Business >
      • Women in Business Mastermind
      • Women in Business Executive Round Table
      • Women in Golf Program
    • Entrepreneur Roundtable
    • Thrive Morris >
      • Thrive Morris Community Leaders
      • Thrive Morris Blog
      • Contribute to the Thrive Morris Blog
  • Member Portal

MCCC Blog

Click Here to submit an article for our blog. 
Note: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.

An Operations Manual Can Fix an Underperforming Company

9/16/2019

 
PictureSteven Lauterback
Principal
Lauterback Consulting
​The conditions that morph into gut-wrenching money problems and create further operational breakdowns are weak or insufficient systems for:
  • Customer finding
  • Operating Under Control
  • Culture Improvement (employee “buy-in”)
  • Leading
  • Keeping tabs
  • Strategic Planning
 
When public companies face challenges, they dedicate millions to consultants and taskforces, quickly addressing problems and getting back on track. When small businesses need help, there are few process improvement experts that have the skills to assist the business in addressing these foundational needs.
 
There are plenty of marketing resources, CPAs, HR experts, coaches and consultants for specific problems that need fixing in a closely managed business. However, few experts have the reputation and perspective, plus enough skills and experience to fix the whole operation.
 
Every business has problems, but many can be addressed before they disrupt the organization. Typically, privately held companies operate in a reactive environment dealing with problems as they occur. Many times, they address the same problems over and over because we don’t make policies to eliminate them. The daily rapid-fire succession of in-coming demands, many requiring snap judgements and unsettling after-thoughts, redundantly soak-up much more time than necessary.
 
Are your competitors, both locally and around the country, holding their own? If they are, your business certainly can do at least as well as these others are doing. And, likely could do much better if all your internal process were operating at peak potential. Making your business more proactive takes a different approach than addressing chronic troubles when they happen. If you’re tired of not operating under control, do what every franchise in America is required to do, create a robust Operations Manual. This labor and frustration saving tool requires a template, plus time, perspective and guidance.
 
Don’t be like so many business leaders that keep their entire operations in their heads, start creating a more robust platform right away. Optimizing systems, operating under control, having a sustainable flow of interested prospects and recurring customers, plus a workforce that is invested in the future, is what provides a business owner with more creative time, options and opportunities.
 
Operational sustainability requires detailed procedures and employee buy-in. Operating under control means being a better leader by communicating your objectives, reinforcing them every single day and posting metrics for all to see.
At the start, you’ll still experience tactical problems that require an immediate solution. Handle them like you always have except, once fixed add the matter to a snags list alongside the solution and store the solution under the proper heading in your new operations manual.
 
Operational processes include business development, operational efficiency, culture shift, and a progressive leadership function. Take the time to evaluate each platform, enlist the key players on your team and meet regularly on the most pressing topics. If it’s finding more customers, do a competitor evaluation then challenge your people on ways to improve your offering.
 
Look at the culture in your company. Do you regularly evaluate your employees with reviews and ideas for improvement? Does your staff really understand the goals you have for the company, how growth will take place, and what each employee’s role is in getting to your objectives? Look at absenteeism and turnover to determine why you might be losing your better players.
 
Find ways to optimize your operations. This includes better internal communications and interdepartmental relations. If you make stuff, find ways to do it faster, better or less expensively. If you provide services, update your protocols and customer interface to assure a satisfactory experience by all customers, every time.
 
Finally, examine your role. Are you a facilitator or tyrant? You may be the business expert in one or more areas of the company, but your first responsibility is to be an effective leader. Communicating goals, mentoring the team and creating a platform for operational efficiency are your core responsibilities.
 
Do you know a company with an afterhours sports team? On the field everyone wants to win, right? Well, a good coach can bring winning inspiration to make that winning perspective happen every day. Now, consider how you can imbed that winning spirit at 9AM every day instead of afterhours at your company.
 
While it doesn’t happen overnight, becoming a better leader will begin to get everyone to fully embrace your business objectives and understand their individual role in contributing to the overall goals of the organization. Being led is what employees want, they want purpose and need to experience winning. When they feel the connection, they will stretch their abilities and do more to contribute.
 
The foundation of it all is a proactive operating platform. You won’t have to mitigate recurring problems since the granular details in your operations manual will reflect every detail in every process. Every business can do better, most can do 20% better next year with the right direction and training.
 
Consider the fact that implementing change in a functioning company usually requires skills that do not reside within that organization.


Comments are closed.

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019

    Categories

    All
    Around The Chamber
    Business Advice
    Business Development
    Business Edge Magazine
    Chamber News
    Coaching
    Entrepreneurs
    Events
    Finance
    Government Affairs
    Health & Wellness
    Home & Garden
    Human Resources
    IT
    Leadership Morris
    Legal
    Manufacturing
    Marketing
    Message From The President
    Nonprofit
    Real Estate
    Sales Strategy
    Seniors
    Strategic Planning
    Women In Business


    Please Note: The views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.
Picture
JOIN Us   |   CONTACT Us  |  LEARN About Membership  |  REGISTER for Events  |  FIND a Member Business  |  READ our Magazines  |  LEAD Morris |  FAQ

Picture
325 Columbia Turnpike, ​​Suite 101
Florham Park, NJ 07932 

​973.539.3882 | CONTACT US | ​MAP
STAY CONNECTED: ​SIGN UP FOR UPDATES!
The Power of Connection!  Your membership connects you to valuable resources, opportunities for business growth and rewarding relationships with fellow members. And you don't need to be based in Morris County to belong!  
Our Office Hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.  If you plan to stop by, it's best to make an appointment to ensure that someone will be available for you; the staff is often out of the office hosting events or meeting with members.
Follow  Us! 
The Morris County Economic Development Alliance (The Alliance) is an affiliated 501c3 Nonprofit of the Morris County Chamber and includes the Morris County Tourism Bureau, the Morris County Economic Development Corporation and the Connect To Morris job board.

©2025 Morris County Chamber of Commerce  |  A 501(c)(6) nonprofit membership organization  |  Site Map
  • JOIN
    • Become a Member
    • Premier Membership
    • What Members Are Saying >
      • Share a Testimonial
    • Membership Inquiry
    • The Value of Membership >
      • Grow Your Business
      • Build Your Brand
      • Professional Development & Education
      • Government Advocacy
      • Community Outreach & Volunteering
    • New Member Survey
    • Power of Connection
  • About
    • Chamber Team
    • Our Mission
    • Our President
    • Board of Directors
    • Morris Business Cabinet
    • President's Circle
    • Chamber Champions
    • Ambassadors Council
    • Inclusivity Advisory Council
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Code of Conduct & COVID Policy
  • Membership
    • Member Benefits
    • Forums & Committees >
      • Business Development Forum
      • Business Strategy Forum
      • Health & Wellness Forum
      • Not For Profit Roundtable
      • Real Estate Forum
      • RISE Morris: Young Professionals Forum
      • Women in Business Program >
        • WIB Event Committee
    • Member to Member Deals
    • Member Marketing Opportunities
    • Grand Opening Support
    • Conference Room Usage
    • Member Referral Bonus
    • Connect to Morris Job Bank
  • Events
    • Chamber Event Calendar
    • Member Events Calendar
    • Signature Events & Programs
    • Golf Donations 2025
    • Event Photos
    • Submit an Event Idea
    • CCM Grant-Supported Training
  • Directory
    • Searchable Business Directory
    • Nonprofit Giving Guide 2024
    • Member Spotlights
    • Legal Resources >
      • Employment Law
      • Commercial Services
      • Business Representation
      • General Legal
    • Enhance Your Directory Listing
  • News & Info
    • Electronic Certificate of Origin
    • Business Resources & Info
    • Chamber Magazines
    • News Around the Chamber >
      • Around the Chamber Archive
      • Submit a Press Release
    • MCCC Blog >
      • Contribute to Our Blog
    • Members' Bookshelf >
      • Members Library Submission
  • Programs
    • Economic Development Corp
    • EDC Business Counseling
    • Public Policy Series
    • CEO Round Table
    • Lead Morris >
      • Lead Morris Program
      • Lead Morris Alumni Council
      • LEAD Morris Alumni Directory
      • Lead Morris FAQs
      • Lead Morris Application
      • LEAD Morris News & Info
      • Share a LEAD Morris Testimonial
    • Women In Business >
      • Women in Business Mastermind
      • Women in Business Executive Round Table
      • Women in Golf Program
    • Entrepreneur Roundtable
    • Thrive Morris >
      • Thrive Morris Community Leaders
      • Thrive Morris Blog
      • Contribute to the Thrive Morris Blog
  • Member Portal