A Standard Operations Procedures (SOP) Guide: It sounds much more intimidating than it is when it really is just a fancy term for documenting how things get done in your business. And yes, while it sounds totally boring, it is super imperative for your business as you scale and start to outsource.

You will need an SOP Guide to make sure tasks are delegated and executed correctly. Unless you are super specific about how you want something executed, there is a good chance that it won’t happen the correct way.

I’ve broken the process for creating your SOP Guide in five easy steps. That’s right- just five steps!

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The concept of online businesses and running virtual teams is still hard for some people to wrap their head around. It makes me so happy that thought leaders are trying to change this by building awareness about this world.

That’s why I was so excited when Chris Ducker released his new book Virtual Freedom. I had the pleasure of attending the book launch party in Portland during World Domination Summit where I picked up my copy. Chris is a well-known virtual CEO and has been an advocate of outsourcing and virtual teams for a long time. The book dives into his own story of working tiring hours as a CEO with no freedom (afflicted with “Superhero Syndrome), and the strategies he’s learned about outsourcing and working with virtual teams.

I highly recommend the book for anyone that runs an online business (whether you are ready to outsource or not). Chris breaks down the different Virtual Assistants or VA’s (the overarching term for any virtual team member you bring on your team) that a business owner will work with and the strategies for how one works with each. He debunks myths and addresses common concerns amongst business owners for outsourcing.

You will need to read the whole book to get all of his juicy tips. In the meantime, I’ve summarized my key takeaways from the book.

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A virtual team can be a life saver for an online business owner. Your team members may be spread across the country or even the globe. When your staff work virtually, you don’t have activities that typical companies have like team-building workshops, happy hours and holiday parties. So if you don’t see each other in person on a regular basis, is there a way to make virtual staff feel like they are a part of a team? Absolutely!

I’ve worked in many virtual teams and the teams where we were engaged on an ongoing basis made it much more enjoyable and a place that I was excited to work for everyday. I was made to feel like I was on a mission with colleagues. I wasn’t just in a corner by myself plugging away day-after-day.

If your staff is engaged, chances are that they will be loyal and stay on your team long-term and stay loyal to you and your business.

Here are some quick easy tips that I’ve learned from working in some amazing virtual teams. All thanks to everything I’ve learned from them!

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If your business is sucking the life out of you, your business is not broken. I promise.

Your business needs systems!

First things first: What are systems, you ask? I define systems as the process for how things get done. Whether you know it or not, you have a system for everything in your life. When you intentionally create systems, THAT is when your business will not suck the life out of you.

You might be wondering, “Why the heck would I create systems when I am busy running a business?” Putting together systems may not seem urgent, but goodness it is important! Here’s why.

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