It's really not so hard to figure out what goes in a good desk manual. Recall your first day on the job? Start a list of the things you didn't know on that first day, add to it, the things you've implemented since you took your position, finish off with Corporate Standards. Font sizes, memo templates, the location of logo files, should all be within easy reach of someone who's filling your seat for a temporary run.

Let's assume that you need to document your process for creating a Sales Team meeting. Jot down a list of all the things you need to do to create the meeting; try not to forget those items that you might do routinely.

Mentally, take the process from start to finish, whom to email, what actions you must take and which actions you must oversee that are being taken care of by others. Is there a need for a meeting agenda? Where does that information come from? Do you need email confirmations from potential attendees? Where's the email list to be found? Is the conference room reserved ahead of time or does it need to be done prior to your meeting? Where does that coffee come from? In fact, where is that coffeepot anyway?