STEP 5.3: A CASE STUDY
Sets Up His Shipping Station
Leo is getting more orders, which is great! But a new, repetitive task is filling up his day: packing boxes and printing shipping labels. His small workshop is getting cluttered and disorganized.
The Challenge
How can Leo pack and ship orders efficiently without it taking over his entire day? He needs a system to handle the repetitive work so he can get back to what he does best: making things.
The Action
Leo decides to create his first-ever Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for "Order Fulfillment."
1. Write Down Every Step
Leo lists every tiny step of his manual process: get the Etsy notification, find the right size box, wrap the wallet, write the note, print the label, and schedule a pickup. He realizes it's all "robot work" that can be streamlined.
2. Create a Dedicated Space
Leo clears a corner of his workshop and sets up a dedicated shipping station with his boxes, tissue paper, note cards, and label printer all within arm's reach.
3. Batch the Work
Instead of packing orders as they come in, he decides to batch them. He'll pack and ship all new orders every day at 4 PM.
The Outcome
By creating a dedicated space and a simple checklist, Leo turns a chaotic task into a calm, 20-minute daily routine. He has successfully built his first system, freeing up hours of time and mental energy.
New SOP: Daily Order Fulfillment
- At 4 PM, review all new orders on Etsy.
- For each order: wrap product, write note, pack in box.
- Print all shipping labels at once.
- Schedule a single postal service pickup for the next day.