If you’ve ever thought, “If only my team could read my mind,” then The Business Playbook by Chris Ronzio was written for you. Ronzio, the founder of Trainual, makes a compelling case for why documenting your business processes isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must-have if you want to scale, step away from day-to-day operations, or simply sleep better at night.
At its core, The Business Playbook is about clarity. Ronzio argues that chaos in a business—missed steps, inconsistent service, or over-reliance on a few key people—comes from a lack of defined systems. His solution is simple and powerful: create a playbook. Think of it as a “how we do things here” guide for your business. One quote that stuck with me was: “People don’t fail, processes do.”
That hit home. How often have we blamed a team member for a mistake, when the truth is, they were never really shown the right way to do it in the first place?
Why this matters for small business owners Most small business operators are already wearing multiple hats. It’s easy to fall into the trap of being the only one who knows how things really work. But that model isn’t sustainable. When team members can’t act without your input, your growth stalls, and burnout looms. Ronzio’s message is that true freedom comes when you start working on the business instead of just in it—and documented processes are the bridge that makes that possible.
A personal lesson learned Several years ago, I lost a key employee unexpectedly. She handled everything from client onboarding to invoicing. I had no idea how many details she managed until they started slipping through the cracks. Rebuilding that knowledge from memory took weeks—and exposed a big vulnerability in the business. That experience is exactly what Ronzio is trying to help us avoid. If we’d had clear, written processes, anyone could’ve stepped in and kept things running.
What you’ll take away Ronzio breaks down how to:
● Identify your key processes and start documenting them (without feeling overwhelmed).
● Build a playbook that grows with your team and your business.
● Use your playbook to onboard new employees faster and delegate with confidence.
● Foster a culture where people know what’s expected and how to succeed.
He’s not advocating for corporate red tape—just enough structure to give your team the tools to perform at a high level. His tone is approachable, and the book is full of actionable tips and examples from his own entrepreneurial journey.
Bottom line The Business Playbook is especially valuable for small business owners who want to scale without sacrificing sanity. If you’re tired of answering the same questions over and over, or if you dream of taking a vacation without your phone blowing up, this book is your blueprint. Start small. Document one process this week. Then another next week. Over time, you’ll build your own business playbook—and create a company that runs more smoothly, grows more easily, and depends less on you.
Purchase your copy of The Business Playbook here. This is a paid link.