So. Should You Always Follow Your Process? Yes and No. (Maybe you should ask yourself, why would you decide to not follow your process?)

First of all. Yes. You should always follow your process.

Do not doubt yourself.

Do not allow others to doubt the business’s standard operating procedures.

You established it for a reason. You worked hard to figure out the best way to do something, whether it was to better serve your clients, save money, or, bring in more revenue. Maybe, just maybe, it was because you tried a bunch of other ways and this was the best you could find.

So, run it through your mind. If in doubt – consider staying true to the process:

Whenever it will allow you to deliver on your commitment.

Whenever it will make sure that you are efficient.

Whenever it will allow you to be compliant with local and federal laws.

Whenever you need to stay safe and secure.

Whenever it keeps you in a positive light, honoring your commitment to your customers, to your team and to your brand.

Of course, you should deviate when you realize that the process is out of date, there is a new, better way to do something or industry standards have changed and you have to update the process.

A year ago, we actively promoted the necessity of updating POS systems, software, mobile and terminal devices to accommodate EMV Chip credit cards. That was an ideal time to rethink what you were doing in your business and to make a change…for the better.

Not changing was putting your business at risk.

If you ever decide that you have to deviate from the norm, be sure that it is because the result will be better. You can always teach your team the new process.

Thinking of adopting a new process? (Or, maybe even a new processor?)

Really…we mean it. We might be able to help – with new processes. We are good at that, too. Reach out. A quick conversation might be worth asking for help, after all we follow process all the time. It is essential to our business, too.