Process is Everywhere

Process is everywhere, and I was recently reminded of this while volunteering with the amazing team at Project Angel Heart. Now, let me be clear, I am not trying to brag about my philanthropic efforts, although I probably should be doing more of it. But during my time there, my YPO colleagues and I were tasked with prepping meals, packaging, labeling, and stacking them.

As I labeled what felt like my 9000th meal (or maybe it was just my 90th, who's counting?), I couldn't help but appreciate the incredible process-driven organization that I was fortunate enough to be a part of. From wall maps to allergy lists, and from the packaging process itself to the way volunteers were trained and supported, process was everywhere.

According to the Project Angel Heart website, “in fiscal year 2022, [they] prepared and delivered more than 660,000 nutritious meals to 4,600 severely ill Coloradans. In 2023, [they’ll] prepare and deliver 700,000 meals to more than 5,000 people.

And it's not just nonprofits like Project Angel Heart that rely on processes to achieve their ambitious goals. We all benefit from using processes in our daily lives, whether it's the way we brush our teeth or the route we take to work. We don't have to reinvent the wheel every time we do something routine because that would just waste time and brainpower that could be better spent on more important decisions.

Businesses like In-N-Out Burger, McDonald's, and Amazon have built empires on scalable processes, and as consumers, we benefit from their efficiency. But it's not just big corporations that can benefit from processes. Even small and medium sized businesses and startups can benefit from having simple, practical checklists and training in place to help their employees hit the ground running.  Frankly, it may be even more crucial.

And if you're an entrepreneur or operational leader, take a page from Project Angel Heart's book and invest in ensuring that your employees have the support and resources they need to be productive and effective. Start by observing and capturing one process that could make a big difference in your organization. Who knows? Maybe one day, you'll see the benefits like Project Angel Heart. Or maybe you'll just be better at labeling food. Either way, it's a win-win.