Episode 66 - Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s): Why We Need Them and How To Make Them Work For You with Joanna Oakley

Episode 66 - Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s): Why We Need Them and How To Make Them Work For You with Joanna Oakley

Today's episode approaches the taboo topic of Standard Operating Procedures or SOP's, and I'm featuring Joanna Oakley, owner of Argylestone Consulting, as she unveils how SOP's can drive consistency, improve service quality, and facilitate efficient growth for small to mid-sized staffing enterprises. Despite the misconception that SOPs don't contribute directly to the bottom line, Joanna makes a strong case for their long-term advantages.

Simple tasks can lessen the burden of creating SOP's like delegating SOP creation to your team, who knows the ins and outs of daily operations, focusing on critical processes first, and utilizing slower times in the business to create them. Joanna shares strategies on evolving SOPs to integrate cutting-edge technology and AI, ensuring compliance and data integrity as well. Learn how SOPs can lead to smarter tech purchasing decisions and process optimizations, empowering your team to work more efficiently. This episode promises to have you approaching SOP's with a shifted mindset so you can make them work for you and elevate your staffing operations to new heights.

Key Moments:

• How we need to start shifting our mindset towards SOP's.

• Plan SOP's efficiently and focus on the critical processes first.

• SOP's help ensure end-to-end, a seamless process for both the candidate and the client.

• You've created the SOP's.  How do you encourage people to follow them?

• The one compelling argument for why you need to have SOP's.

Favorite Quote: 

"The real cost of not having SOPs isn't just inefficiency—it's the potential loss of revenue and operational chaos that can arise from inconsistent processes."

• Joanna

 

Connect with Joanna:

Joanna Oakley is a seasoned recruitment industry professional with over 20 years of experience across four global brands: ManpowerGroup, Randstad, Agile 1, and RGF Staffing (part of the Recruit Group). Beginning her career in sales-focused roles, she advanced to onsite client management and ultimately served as Chief Operating Officer for the UK division of the world's 5th largest staffing firm. In 2022, Joanna founded Argylestone Consulting Ltd., where she leverages her extensive expertise to assist staffing firms in transforming and optimising their operations, reducing costs, and driving sustainable growth. Joanna holds certifications including CCWP (Certified Contingent Workforce Professional) and is a Chartered Member of CIPD. Additionally, she is a co-author of the 2024 best-selling book, "The Rise of the Female Entrepreneur," which supports the Women Supporting Women initiative by The Prince's Trust.

 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-oakley-ccwp-mcipd-6171b95/

 

Connect with Suky:

I’m Suky an adrenaline junkie who celebrates every single win. I believe we must celebrate and collect all our wins along the way as it fuels forward momentum to ensure we exceed our goals. When we fuel forward momentum, complacency simply can not settle in.

With over 25 years of experience wo