Creating Policies and Procedures
Creating a clearly defined practice is about creating boundaries that protect you and also promote your business.
I recently had the experience of attempting to do business with someone who has poorly defined policies and procedures. It has been one of the most frustrating experiences of my career (and I have been doing this for 17 years).
The biggest problem is that I read all of the material that she had printed on her flyer - the rules for doing business with this person. I attempted to to business with her 4 or 5 different times and each one I was faced with her calling me to tell me she was unable to do business with me because of xxx - which was some unwritten rule that she had that she just said everyone knew about. The problem was that most people call her to find out these things and I was only reading her info from her flyer. It was of course my fault for not calling and finding out these things…
I just find this whole thing to be a great example of “the code of the caretaker”. We assume people will read our minds and know what we want. I really find it to be prevalent especially in the massage business. I think it comes from our levels of self esteem and self confidence that allows us to ask for what we need and to not be devastated when we don’t get what we need, but we have the courage to continue asking until we do get our need met.
Clearly defining your practice framework through a carefully thought out procedures and policies statement will help clients understand what they are responsible for and what you are responsible for. Having this strong framework underneath you is the foundation for building a business that is rewarding both financially and emotionally (and spiritually)
The clearer you can be about what you do, the more likely you are to attract people who need your services and value your services.
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