There are various manuals that the SMEs should have, the truth is that very few have been concerned about its wording, even when its objective is to provide the guidelines, rules and standards to follow in the different areas of the business.
For a manual to be truly useful, it must be written in clear language and intended for the target market. Among the documents that we recommend you have drafted for your SME are:
Operation manual
The Mexican Franchise Association (AMF) considers that around 90% of SMEs do not have Operation manuals of your processes. This is serious because it is the basic document that establishes what the company is and what is done every day in it.
Although its content may vary in two or three details, its fundamental aspect is focused on:
- Company history, mission, vision and organization
- Products and services
- Company policies
- Organization
Anti-Crisis Manual
Speaking of business, a crisis is a serious and decisive situation that jeopardizes the development of the company’s daily activities. A tool to contain the negative aspects that this situation can bring and the actions to face it is precisely the anti-crisis manual .
The purpose of this document is to know what to do when a crisis breaks out. In order for it to be successful, it must foresee all those internal and external situations that can be considered as such.
You should not overlook the fact that any incident that can be considered a crisis can seriously reduce the profits of your business and affect its reputation and image.
Corporate identity manual
Visual elements communicate a lot. For this reason, SMEs must bear in mind that a corporate identity solid and homogeneous pays more in relations with its different audiences as it is perceived with a more professional tone. The elements that work with in an identity manual are: corporate colors, logo, brand, slogan, web design, typography, business cards as well as company documentation such as invoices, stationery, envelopes, etc.
organizational manual
It details the positions and functions that exist within the organization and serves to efficiently manage human resources within it.
The manual contains the description of the jobs, the profile, requirements and skills that those who occupy the different positions must have, as well as the functions they perform.
Although there are many manuals, these are four that you can consider basic for the operation of your SME.
Originally written for Premo