Hi-
I am new in the business and just about to take over a small facility. I've done a lot of studying of the industry, but still new and unfamiliar.
I am trying to get an operations manual as I wish to use it as a template to create my own. I've been unable to find one. Can anyone recommend where I can get one?
I really want to make sure that I have step-by-step procedures for my employee, and it is as easy as possible for them.

Thanks

It's probably not a good idea to try and use an operations manual that is not designed specifically for your location and software program.

We took over managing this location a little over two years ago. This was an established location, but there was no day-to-day operations manual.
My wife (the former office manager for a large ccompany) is designing a manual - it has taken two years, but she is about 95% done. Now anyone can walk into this office and be able to handle about any task that comes up!

There are general operations manuals available - check with your local association, ISS or even SSA -- one of them will have some guide lines for getting started, but it is something you will need to tailor for your location.

Good Luck and welcome to Self Storage!!

__________________
Wayne
All American Self Storage
Palmdale, CA.
webmaster@all-americanselfstorage.com

Hi there! You might also want to check out this article written by Tom Berlin ... it's a great starting point for you: Facility Policies and Procedures : Creating consistency, productivity and profitability.

Teri's reference to Tom Berlin's article is great. The article lists many areas that you should consider covering in your manual. Your manual should be a living document that will change along with your business as it grows.

An Operations Manual is different then an Employee Manual which details the employment policies, standards of conduct, wage and salary policies, benefits, and more.

__________________
Michael T. Bishop
StorageLand - Management and Consulting Services
www.storageland.com
sales@storageland.com
208-919-0771 (Local)
877-630-0075 (Toll Free)

Autodoc, Teri, storageland-
Thanks for the replies and advice. I'll have a look at the article Teri recommends and start assembling the manual. If anyone knows where a "template" can be obtained let me know.

Thanks again!

I know Sterling Management has some operation manuals you can purchase. I have not read them as I have created my own site specific operations manual; but I know they have them.

Unfortunately, many times operations manuals sit and collect dust. They often are not used like they should be. I recommend you use the manual as you train your staff. That will get you and them both involved in the manual.

We looked for a sample Operations Manual and decided that ther wasn't anything complete or appropriate for our operation. We simply started with a checklist and wrote it ourselves from there. Start with the most basic tasks and add subjects as you go.

I was in management for a large corporation for 35 years. My primary focus was organizational development and training. I was in Human Resources, senior management, and a field manager as well. I was quite comfortable writing my own operations manual and policy manual. They are works in progress, as things change and they have to remain updated and current.

Ours are used all the time. The binders have had to be replaced because they fell apart from use. And the reason is because they actually contain the information employees have a need to know and they reference them all the time. You need to make sure they're relevant to the employee's work.


If you take someone else's manual as a boilerplate or if you write your own, keep in mind that they aren't cast in stone. You can (and must) change them as needed. My advice to someone starting out is to keep it simple at first. Outline or flowchart your thoughts, have someone else who knows the business review it, and revise it as needed. You probably know a lot more than you think. The trick is getting it down correctly, concisely and clearly. That's why you need another pair of eyes to review it. Start with what you think is important and build from there. Keep it simple. One thing at a time or you'll overwhelm yourself.