b'Getting Flexible with SOPsWhen should an independent seed company implement a standard operating procedure? Alex Martin amartin@issuesink.comSTANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES(SOPs) areSince you map the process, you have all the steps you need, common place for large companies. The Brampton Smallhe says. What I think is most useful is over time, as things go on Business Enterprise Centre defines an SOP as a procedure spe- and problems emerge, you can put standard problems that are cific to your operation that describes the activities necessary tobeing faced in your SOPs. Then, when you find the solution for it, complete tasks in accordance with industry regulations, provin- you can write it down.cial laws or even just your own standards for running a business. This ensures that when the same problem emerges, you arent Basically, if you have a how-to document for your business,wasting time searching for a solution. you have an SOP.Start with the biggest problems first, and if anything goes SOPs can feel a little restricting sometimesit can be awrong, you wont have to hunt around forever, Klinefelter says. straitjacket limiting a businesss movement. However, thats notInstead, youll have it right in front of you.what theyre intended to be.However, that means a business needs to be on top of their Whether youre working in mechanical work, processing orSOPs and review them consistently. production, an SOP is the first thing you have to do to map aOver time, some things become irrelevant, he says. Its procedure, says Danny Klinefelter, a professor and Extensionimportant to ask yourself: Does this benefit the whole business? Economist at Texas A&M University.Is there a way to streamline this process?The Brampton Small Business Enterprise Centre says thatKlinefelter says at times, you might need to combine certain SOPs can create: steps together, add a new step or delete some steps altogether.Create efficiencies and profitability Keeping on top of technology helps this too. Consistency and reliability in production and service He uses the example of artificial intelligence (AI) emerging inFewer errors agriculture.A healthy and safe work environment When you add things like AI into a company, you need to SOPs are made to help businesses, so how do independentslook at how that can help, he says. What things can be changed ensure they arent limiting themselves when creating an SOP? on the fly? Seeding rates? Irrigation rates? All of that can change Klinefelter says the first thing you need to do is ensure youyour SOPs.have a top-notch team during the creation process. This will notKlinefelter cautions that if you arent staying on top of your only help the process move forward more smoothly, but ensuregame, it can be dangerous for your business.consistency throughout the process.The most dangerous phrase in a business is Weve always Depending on how big your crew is, you need a few peopledone it this way, he says. You have got to keep reviewing SOPs on your team to make an SOP, Klinefelter says. The best personand keeping them as up to date as anything else in your company.to be on this team is the person whos doing the job. As for when to implement an SOP, Klinefelter says thats easy.By gathering together team members who are actually work- When you start your business, the first question you need to ing the job that would be affected by the SOP, you can ensure itsask is what youre doing and what you need to be doing, he says. accurate and fair for the job. For example, if youre working on anThats where an SOP comes in. Set priorities and prioritize those SOP about processing seed, youre going to want a seed proces- priorities. Then, if a new priority comes around, reevaluate.sor as your No. 1 contact for working through the procedures.Its a continuous learning process that dictates how you do Another benefit of having an employee who knows the taskssomething, Klinefelter says.SWinvolved is they know the exact order of every step, Klinefelter says. This is imperative, in particular for onboarding employees. When someones onboarded, they can get a direction of what to do in their new job and why theyre doing that, he says. Its a good way to fill in the job description. What is this particu-lar job and what does it involve?After an SOP is implemented, Klinefelter says another benefit is when you have a problem, you can write down a solution.20/ SEEDWORLD.COMJANUARY 2020'