What Actually Goes in a Business Playbook (And What You Can Skip)

You know you need a playbook. But what actually goes in one?

This is where most business owners freeze up. They imagine a giant manual. They think it has to be perfect. So they put it off... again.

Let’s clear that up right now. A great playbook isn’t everything you could document—it’s the key things you can’t afford not to.

What Should Be in a Business Playbook?

Here’s what we focus on with our clients—every time:

1. How You Deliver Your Service

• Step-by-step delivery process

• Templates, tools, or checklists

• What 'done right' looks like

2. How You Communicate

• How often updates go out

• Who owns each communication step

• Tone, language, and preferences

3. Who Does What

• Clear roles (even if one person wears many hats)

• File structure or where to find what

• Decision-making boundaries

4. What Gets Measured

• Core KPIs (keep it simple at first)

• When and how data gets reviewed

• What 'off track' looks like

5. How You Show Up in the Market

• Your positioning (what you’re known for)

• Target audience profile

• Messaging guide (i.e. StoryBrand script) 

What You Can Skip (For Now)

❌ Hyper-detailed SOPs for one-off tasks
❌ Trying to document everything at once
❌ Fancy software that your team won’t actually use

Start with what’s causing the most confusion or friction. Build from there. The goal is progress, not perfection.

A Playbook Is a Leadership Tool

It’s not just about organizing. It’s about empowering your team, creating consistency, and finally stepping out of the daily scramble.

The real win? When your business runs smoother—without it all depending on you.

Ready to Build Yours?

Want help building yours? [Schedule a call] and we’ll map out the core pieces together.