Every business, no matter the industry, needs to have policies and operating procedures in place for your business. They ensure that everyone is performing a task the same way in order to get consistent, predictable results. This is especially important in the IT portion of your business, no matter how big or small. Most policies and procedures are probably outlined in an employee handbook and if they are not, they definitely should be. It’s easy to make and forget those IT policies, but it’s critical to think on how strictly you enforce your policies and procedures.
STICK TO OPERATING POLICIES
On the surface, it may not seem like a big deal to let some of your staff color outside of the lines if it better suits their workflow. But let’s take a look at why sticking to the operating plan that you laid out is so important.
Putting Policies in Place
As a business leader, there are two things essential to keep in mind:
#1. Ensure that you have good policies established. Here are some of the policies that you need to have in place:
- Bring Your Own Device: This policy outlines the use of personal devices within your business.
- Bring Your Own Access: This policy outlines the use of personal hotspots within your business.
- Application Usage: This policy outlines the use of authorized and unauthorized applications within your business.
- Device Usage: This policy outlines how your employees are meant to use the technology (e.g., laptop, desktop, printer, scanner, etc.) that is given to them. This policy is where you restrict or limit the use of business resources for personal use.
- Internet Usage: This policy outlines the appropriate use of the internet service provided by the business. This is where you would prohibit the use of streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and ESPN.
Every business should have these five policies in place as a bare minimum.
#2. You must hold people accountable.
As an added bonus, this open line of communication creates stronger bonds among your team members. When you know that the person beside you is working to achieve the same thing you are and you have a way to address misunderstandings, you develop trust and accountability within your team.
By having policies in place that harbor open lines of communication, you reduce the chance of conflict; the key to avoiding and resolving conflict is communication.
As an added bonus, this open line of communication creates stronger bonds among your team members. When you know that the person beside you is working to achieve the same thing you are and you have a way to address misunderstandings, you develop trust and accountability within your team.
