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Yujie Fan

Elevating Policy: From Rules to Roadmaps for Success



In the realm of entrepreneurship and business management, policies are not just administrative documents; they are the lifeblood that sustains and directs the flow of operations, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and scalability.


Through the lens of Educate X, we redefine Policy as:

"A documented successful way to do something that solves yesterday’s issues and prevents tomorrow’s troubles."

This reimagined definition elevates the concept of policy from a passive set of guidelines to a proactive framework for action. Policies become the documented wisdom of the organisation, encapsulating successful actions that not only address past challenges but also preempt future hurdles.


The Strategic Importance of Policy in Organisational Dynamics

When policies are viewed through this lens, their creation, implementation, and enforcement take on new significance:

  • Policy Creation: Policies are not written on a whim but are the result of rigorous testing and proof of success. This ensures that each policy has tangible value and applicability to the organisation's operations.

  • Policy Enforcement: The enforcement of policies becomes a matter of necessity rather than choice, focusing on what is genuinely required for the organisation's well-being.

  • Founder's Role: The founder, with their comprehensive vision and understanding of the company, plays a crucial role in overseeing the policy formulation process. This ensures that policies align with the organisation's goals and ethos.

  • Management Efficiency: For managers, policies serve as a valuable tool to guide their teams effectively, making the management process more streamlined and focused.


The Central Role of Founders in Policy Craftsmanship and How-?

When policies are written instead of verbal, it ensures consistency, reduces dependency, and prevents knowledge loss, making practices sustainable and scalable. Lindsaar positions policy crafting as a critical undertaking for founders, second only to the pivotal role of sales. Mikel said:

“If I was looking for a job, where would I want to work? And this is driven by all of the ways that I’ve built in my business and created policy and all that sort of stuff.”

By asking yourself this question, it helps create policies that align with the organisation’s vision and strategy, preventing chaos from diverse managerial styles.


So, How to Conduct a Policy Check Procedure?

  1. Preparation for the Policy Check: Schedule a one-on-one meeting with the staff member, selecting specific policies for discussion. This preparation stage is crucial for effective time use and ensures that the policy check is comprehensive.

  2. Pre-Reading by the Staff Member: Encourage the staff member to read the policies beforehand. It allows them to familiarise themselves with the content, fostering a better understanding and generating thoughtful questions.

  3. Clarification of Purpose: It is important to clearly explain its objectives at the beginning of the Policy Check. Emphasise that the goal is to ensure the staff member can not only understand but also apply the company's policies effectively. Highlight that questions, even basic ones, are part of the learning process and that there is no shame in seeking clarity.

  4. Interactive Q&A Session: Engage in a detailed Q&A session about the policies. Ask questions that probe their understanding and ability to apply the policies, such as their interpretation of key concepts, the significance of these concepts, and the implications of not adhering to the policies. This back-and-forth dialogue is essential for ensuring deep comprehension.

  5. Reference and Reinforcement: Use the policy document actively during the discussion. Refer to specific sections or definitions to reinforce points, and if necessary, have the staff member revisit certain parts of the policy to solidify their understanding.

  6. Acknowledgment of Policy Dynamics: Incorporate discussions on the evolving nature of policies, as emphasised by Lindsaar. Highlight how policies are living documents that adapt and improve over time, thanks to feedback from employees. This encourages staff to see themselves as active contributors to the policy refinement process, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability.

  7. Application and Autonomy: Discuss how the policy applies to the staff member's specific role within the company, asking how they can use the policy in their daily tasks. This step connects the dots between policy understanding and practical application, underlining the autonomy employees have within the framework of clear, well-defined policies.

  8. Confirmation of Understanding and Commitment: Conclude the Policy Check by having the staff member sign off on their understanding and commitment to the policies in the Policy Handbook. Similarly, the person conducting the check should also sign off, marking the completion of the process.


Policies as Pillars of Success

By adopting the insights and approach to policy, companies can significantly transform their operational effectiveness and strategic direction. Policies become not just rules but roadmaps to success, ensuring that the organisation is equipped to solve past issues and prevent future troubles.

Discover more about setting up effective policies in our latest podcast with Mikel Lindsaar, offering a compelling case for strategic policy development within organisations.


Listen to the full podcast here


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