Traction: Getting a Grip on Your Business – The EOS Way
Are you trying to get your business to go somewhere? You’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs feel stuck. They work harder, yet they gain no ground. Does this sound familiar? It might be time to discuss getting some Traction.
By the way, let’s address a common issue with the books.
Should you read Get a Grip or Traction first?
Great question! It’s like asking if pants go on before shoes. In this case, the answer is Traction first. Think of “Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business” by Gino Wickman as the playbook. Once you’ve absorbed that, “Get a Grip” acts as the deeper sequel. For those truly committed, read “Rocket Fuel” for advanced insights. Start with Traction, trust us.
Decoding EOS: It’s Not Just Greek Letters
You’ve probably heard about EOS. No, it’s not a tech company or a new planet. In business, EOS stands for Entrepreneurial Operating System. Think of it as the manual your business needs. But it likely didn’t come with it.
What’s the purpose of EOS? It’s simple: to help businesses like yours manage growth systematically. Clarifying your vision is key, simplifying chaos matters, and achieving goals is essential. Let’s be honest, “winging it” works only for so long. EOS gives you practical tools to maintain control, even when it feels like you’re riding a rocket ship (hopefully upwards!).
The Six Pack: Key Components of EOS
EOS isn’t vague or theoretical. It’s built on six core components you must know well:
- Vision: Where are you actually heading? Everyone needs clarity on long-term goals and the roadmap.
- People: Are you surrounded by the right team? EOS helps ensure you have the right people in their positions, doing what they excel at (and enjoy).
- Data: Are you flying blind or using numbers? EOS emphasizes tracking metrics for informed decisions, not gut feelings.
- Issues: Problems are unavoidable, but EOS provides structured processes to identify, discuss, and SOLVE them. No more hiding them.
- Process: What’s your “secret sauce”? Documenting and streamlining processes ensures consistency and efficiency.
- Traction: This is where action happens. Traction is about execution and accountability – actually doing what you promised.
EOS Benefits: Beyond Buzzwords
Implementing EOS goes beyond checking boxes. It involves tangible improvements. Think of:
- Fire Prevention: Tackling issues before they escalate into crises.
- Right People, Right Seats: Maximizing talent by putting the right people in suitable roles.
- Meetings That Don’t Suck: Making meetings effective and focused instead of time-wasters.
- Accountability Culture: Creating a workplace where everyone knows their responsibilities and follows through.
- Real, Lasting Change: EOS isn’t a quick fix; it aims to create fundamental and positive changes that stick.
- Clarity and Simplicity: Cutting through complexity to focus on what truly matters for achieving your vision.
EOS Worldwide provides a detailed explanation of
EOS Implementation: Not a Weekend Project
EOS gives a structured approach to running every part of your business. From hiring top talent to managing your marketing and sales teams, to ensuring operations run smoothly, EOS aims to ensure every department works from the same hymn sheet – in tune. It’s a holistic system.
Who is EOS for? Are You the “Target Audience”?
EOS is highly effective for entrepreneurs and leadership teams in small to medium-sized businesses. Think of firms with enough moving parts to feel disorganized, but reachable enough to change. Don’t let the “small to mid-sized” descriptor mislead you. Companies of all sizes, even startups and corporations, can gain from Eagle’s structured methods. If your business has more than two persons and seeks intentional growth, EOS is worth considering seriously.
“What the Heck Is EOS?” – A Guide for Your Team
You, the leader, are excited about EOS. Great! But how about your team? Enter “What the Heck Is EOS?” This book helps break down EOS concepts in common language for each team member, illustrating how it works and why it matters, crucially highlighting their role in the entire picture. Gaining buy-in from your team is half the battle, and this book works effectively in that regard.
Traction (The EOS Component, Not Car Tires)
Recall those Six Key Components of EOS? Well, Traction is one. It isn’t just a component; it’s also a critical one. Consider Vision, People, Data, Issues, and Process as the setup. Traction is what drives your performance.
In EOS terms, Traction concerns your business’s “Way.” It focuses on two things: documenting your key processes and actually following them. Sounds simple? It is. Sounds easy? Not always. That’s where the real magic occurs.
Gino Wickman: The EOS Architect
Behind any great system is a brain, in this case, Gino Wickman. He created EOS for entrepreneurs. He discovered that many businesses, particularly those with 10 to 250 employees, faced similar growing pains. Thus, he devised a method to tackle those challenges.
Gino Wickman isn’t a distant guru; he remains involved, passionate about helping businesses succeed. At 54 (currently!), he combines energy with experience. He authored the bestseller “Traction”, with a clear mission: to assist people in getting what they want from their businesses. A noble mission indeed.
Key EOS Tools: Your Business Toolkit
EOS isn’t theoretical; it includes practical tools to accomplish tasks. Here are some essential tools you’ll know well:
Accountability Chart: Beyond the Org Chart
Forget dusty organizational charts that merely depict titles and hierarchies. The EOS Accountability Chart differs. It defines roles, responsibilities, and accountability. This ensures clarity on who is responsible for what, enhancing communication and performance.
The Accountability Chart emphasizes functions, not just titles. This guarantees everyone is in the “right seat,” meaning they “get it,” “want it,” and have the “capacity to achieve it” (known as GWCTM in EOS). If someone isn’t in the right seat, operations will not run smoothly.
Vision/Traction Organizer (V/TO): The Two-Page Business Plan (On Steroids)
If EOS has a “holy grail” document, it’s likely the Vision/Traction Organizer (V/TO). This isn’t your grandpa’s 50-page business plan collecting dust. The V/TO is a succinct, two-page template. Yes, two pages. It organizes your plans and projects your company’s future clearly and actionably. It’s a document you’ll revisit often to stay aligned.
Rocks: 90-Day Sprints to Success
In EOS, “Rocks” aren’t geological structures. They are your 90-day priorities. View them as your most critical goals for the next quarter. Why 90 days? Because it keeps focus and momentum yet is long enough for significant progress. Rocks help avoid trying to do everything simultaneously, encouraging focus on what drives results.
Scorecard: Your Weekly Business Pulse
The EOS Scorecard serves as a weekly checkup for your business. It’s a simple, one-page tool that monitors Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The Scorecard doesn’t track vanity metrics; it identifies numbers that reflect your business’s health and progress. Weekly tracking keeps accountability high and ensures you’re on track for your goals.
LMA: Leadership + Management = Accountability (Duh!)
LMA in EOS is clear: Leadership + Management
= Accountability. This is key for a culture of accountability. Leadership sets direction. Management ensures tasks are completed. Together, they build an environment where people take responsibility for their results. Simple math leads to powerful results.
EOS Implementers: Your Guides Through the EOS Maze
Implementing EOS is not rocket science. However, a guide is helpful. This is where EOS Implementers come in. They are experienced coaches. They have run the EOS marathon before. They know the potential pitfalls and the best strategies to reach your finish line. That means a well-oiled, EOS-powered business.
What does it cost to hire an EOS Implementer? Quality help has a price. Professional EOS Implementers charge about $4,536 per session. A two-year engagement could cost from $20,000 to $45,000 per year. It’s a significant investment. Think of it as investing in a finely tuned business machine. Certified Traction Implementers bring expertise to the table. They bring accountability, which makes your EOS journey smoother. beSlick’s Traction®️: Get a Grip on Your Business®️ provides resources and connections to assist you on your EOS journey.
EOS vs. The Rest: Framework Face-Off
EOS is not the only business framework available. Let’s compare it against a few other popular options:
EOS vs. OKRs: Who’s Aiming Higher?
OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) focus on goal-setting. They are used in many organizations and for personal objectives. EOS, however, zeroes in on business leaders and entrepreneurs. It offers a complete system for running the entire business, not just setting targets. OKRs may be part of EOS, especially within the “Rocks” framework, yet EOS serves as a broader operating system.
EOS vs. Agile: Product vs. Business
Agile excels in product development. It emphasizes iterative development and flexibility. EOS concerns total business execution. While Agile focuses on product development, EOS manages entire operations: marketing, sales, finance, and more. They can coexist but serve different levels of business.
EOS vs. Rockefeller Habits: Growth vs. Foundation
Both EOS Traction and Rockefeller Habits aim for business growth, yet their focuses differ. Rockefeller Habits targets sustainable development and scalability. It centers on key priorities and a strong company culture. EOS Traction prioritizes a clear vision, team alignment, and accountability as foundations for growth. Rockefeller Habits is about scaling up, while EOS emphasizes solidifying the base before scaling.
EOS Target Market: Who’s It Really For?
EOS is particularly beneficial for companies with 10 to 250 employees. This is often where growth pains emerge without strong systems. However, EOS is not limited to this company size. It can be applied to smaller startups, non-profits, and large corporations. The core elements of clarity, accountability, and process improvement are valuable for all.
The Not-So-Rosy Side: Potential Downsides of EOS
No system is flawless, and EOS has downsides:
“Overly Burdensome”?
Some critics argue EOS is too process-heavy. The numerous components and meetings can feel overwhelming, especially at the start. While business improvement takes time, some see EOS adding complexity. It is important to recognize that EOS aims to simplify in the long run, but initial implementation does require considerable effort.
“My Way or the Highway” EOS?
Like many structured business systems, EOS stresses strict adherence to its framework. Deviating from the method can be viewed as a mistake. This rigidity might deter businesses that prefer a flexible approach. It is key to balance following the EOS framework with tailoring it to meet your needs. EOS is a framework, not a dogma.
Traction: Business vs. Car Tires (Yes, Really)
Let’s briefly discuss “traction” in a non-business context to clear up any confusion. In broad terms, traction refers to dynamic response, while grip relates to steady-state characteristics. Picture a race car needing traction to speed up and grip to make sharp turns.
Car Traction: Tires and Slippery Surfaces
Regarding car tires, “Traction AA” is top-tier on the UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) scale. It follows with A, B, and C ratings. This grade measures a tire’s capability to maintain traction in straight-line braking on wet roads. It’s crucial for safety!
While traction control systems in cars are usually beneficial, there are moments when turning them off helps, like getting unstuck from mud or snow. For most driving situations, leave it on and let it work. Ultimately, car traction, like business traction, is about “the ability of a wheel or tire to hold the ground without sliding.” In business, it’s maintaining your market position while moving forward.
In conclusion, you now understand traction in business and how EOS works. You’ve even learned a bit about car tires. Hopefully, you feel better prepared to gain real control of your business and actually achieve some significant traction – the EOS way.
