Ask yourself:

•Are your required actions described thoroughly and accurately, or are details left open to interpretation?

•Is your content consistent and complete, or are your writers leaving gaps no one has noticed?

•Are revisions controlled, or are different people using different versions?

•Are your procedures compliant with regulations? Are you sure?

•Are all documents written to produce clear, measurable results? If you're unsure about any of answers to these questions, there is good news: you can make your procedures clear and complete without combing through all of them yourself line by line. You have invested in your procedures; now ensure you are communicating clear expectations, and your professionalism, with best tools possible.

1) Revisit your business plan. If you don't have one, write one for your business as it currently exists (even a one-page, brief summary will work fine). Compare how your business plan will be same or different with addition of this new service.

2) Will this new offering build adequately on what you already have in place? This refers not only to your resources, but also to your own skills and those of your staff. Does this new offering extend further what you've already been doing? Or is it a detour into a new area?

3) Is addition going to be cost effective? For example, if you're building on what you already have in place, you're probably going deeper into your current market rather than trying to start a whole new business from scratch. Generally speaking, it's almost always going to be more cost effective to add a related service line than it is to start a new one.

4) Have your customers asked you about this or expressed a need for something new? If you regularly consult with your customers you will know what they need and want. If they continually ask you whether you provide a particular service, use this information to guide what you next add to your business. Your bottom line will thank you.