Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Top 5 Main Benefits of an Online Policy Management Software

  1. Automate Document Workflow  
    Centralizing and automating the document workflow is considered by many to be the most beneficial aspect of Policy and Procedure Management. The entire document workflow- form creation and import, to edit, review, publish, revise, and archive- can be automated. In a paper base environment, each of these steps creates opportunities for paper documents to be delayed, or worse, lost altogether. Once organizations discover they no longer need to manually gather and collaborate on multiple edits, reviews, etc., they will never go back.



  2. Centralize Repository of Documents 
    Are your policies, procedures, and other business-critical documents easy for all your employees to locate? Are certain documents stuck in certain files- perhaps on a desktop or filing cabinet- that could cost your employees time or access to the document altogether? Having a personalized, easy to access, an online repository of your documents- that can easily be searched- allows your employees to have the information they need when they need it.

  3. Eliminate Paper Chase 
    Let’s face it, paper document management is a thing of the past. Numerous studies show that the cost of storing paper files, and implied labor cost of retrieving those files can be thousands of dollars per employee per year. Thousands. The implementation of an online policy management software might cost less than one or two employees worth of cost savings- just on the paper chase.

  4. Detailed Audit Trails 
    As businesses are hit with more and more regulations, the implied risk of litigation goes up. Having a detailed audit log of the activity happening within your organization can protect against the risk of lawsuits, penalties, and fines. While protecting against a "what if" scenario is never something that will get people jumping for joy, you bet having an audit trail is of utmost importance if lawsuits, audits, or disputes were to unfortunately arise.

  5. Up to Date Global View of Compliance 
    An online Policy and Procedure Management Software will allow you to know who has read, signed off on, and understood (via testing) your policies, procedures, and other business-critical documents. Not only can this information protect against litigation (see #4 above), but it can elucidate the entire organization's policy and procedure compliance. Knowing who has read, tested, and signed off on policies and procedures- and who has not- allows organizations to make critical judgments and corrections.


Sunday, August 19, 2018

How to Grow Your Business Without Spiraling Out of Control

Growth is a BIG topic for today’s business leaders in organizations of all sizes, industries. If you’re already on a fast trajectory or in expansion mode, you’ve probably experienced some of the operational challenges in scaling an organization. 


Here’s what your C-level peers are telling us:

“We still operate off tribal knowledge.”

“There’s no standardization. What takes one person two hours to do might take someone else four hours.”

“It takes FOREVER to get anything done around here.”

Growing BEFORE you have the right structure, consistent processes, and an efficient way to transfer operational knowledge is a recipe for disaster. Things can get out of control and escalate quickly, especially if there are lots of people and moving parts to orchestrate. It’s difficult to make course corrections later.

Fortunately, the operations problems that are barriers to growth are avoidable. The challenge is, they are often invisible. Many organizations go for years – even decades – tolerating known operational issues without ever making significant headway. This problem finally gets attention when a major change or triggering event happens, such as expansion. Even the larger organizations suddenly find themselves in panic mode. Read more information about Knowledge Management Software click given the link.

Sunday, August 5, 2018

Policies and Procedures in the News – CDC – Ebola – Anthrax

Policies and Standard Operating Procedures show up in the headlines from time to time, and rarely in celebration of polices and procedures well implemented. But recent headlines  regarding the break down of communicating safety protocols at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have been persistent–and more than a little alarming. And what first appeared to be an isolated incident where anthrax (!) was mishandled is emerging systemic failure. From improper storage, including zip-lock bags and unlocked refrigerators to transportation issues, the lax standards have put the CDC squarely in the public eye and called to a congressional subcommittee to explain. Fortunately, at this stage it looks like no one has been infected.


While most of us are not handling and storing infectious diseases (thankfully) there is a big take away from stories like these.
  1. Having a good system, complete with clear SOPs and a means for the conveying them and essential element of a well-run organization.

  2. Taking a step back from time to time to assess and look at the bigger picture is a worthwhile exercise It can help identify gaps and places for improvement.

  3. Understanding the importance of compliance to your business can help you identify ways to integrate it into daily practice and help create streamlined operations that meet both regulatory and business goals.
Zavanta software is specifically designed to make writing GOOD procedures fast and easy! If you’re unfamiliar with it, check it out. For more information about Policies and Procedures Software Visit our website.