What is a Business Operating System? And why should you care?

You can wake up and hope for success.

OR you can plan for it.??

A Business operating system (BOS) is just that and refers to the set of processes and practices that a company uses to run its operations effectively and achieve its long-term vision.

This typically includes;

• Business processes
• Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Performance metrics
• Data management tools and more

Today we're taking a look at a specific operating system called EOS Worldwide ?and how to use it to scale your business. ??

What is EOS??

The Entrepreneurial Operating System? has inspired the masses. But what exactly is EOS?? And how do you get started with running your business on EOS? Learn more about how to win with EOS?.

Nearly 22 years ago, business mogul Gino Wickman started a revolution that was set to change the business world as we know it:?the Entrepreneurial Operating System.

Gino’s aim was a simple one. He wanted to help organizational leadership teams?get what they want?out of their businesses. And with over 1 million books sold and more than 100K companies running on EOS, it’s safe to say his vision has inspired the masses.

But first things first. What exactly is EOS?? Why do companies rave about the results? And how do you get started with running your business on EOS?

We spoke to EOS? Community Leader for Europe and an expert EOS Implementer Dean Breyley to share his insights.

The Entrepreneurial Operating System, or EOS?, is a set of concepts and tools that comprises a complete business management system that empowers entrepreneurs to reach their business goals and improve the lives of every individual the business affects.

But if you’re still wondering: ‘How do I explain EOS?’, it’s best to start by explaining the?EOS Model??and the Six Key Components? it’s built on;

PEOPLE

VISION

DATA

PROCESS (This is where Whale (usewhale.io) comes in)

TRACTION

ISSUES

EOS Component #1: Vision Component?

Behind every great business is a robust set of values that promote the tone for the company culture. And everyone, at every level and in every function, has to be in alignment about the things that matter most.

Once your core values are locked down, it’s easier to visualize your end destination, map out the route that will get you there, and focus on the?key milestones ?along the way.

Having a vision puts you firmly in the driving seat, but it also gives your team a fixed place to return to if they ever lose their way.

EOS? Component #2: People Component?

To bring any vision to life, you need the right people around you. We’re not just talking in the boardroom, either. Every position you recruit for needs to be filled with someone who understands your vision, believes in it and promotes it.

Remember, there may be a lot of great candidates out there. But they might not be great for?your?company and?your?vision.

So when you find someone who’s the perfect fit, make sure to?optimize their employee experience ?from day one.?

EOS? Component #3: Data Component?

You know the line, “It’s not personal. It’s strictly business.” from The Godfather?

Well, when it comes to living the EOS life, Michael Corleone hit the nail on the head.

Because basing business decisions on opinions, feelings or personalities will get you nowhere. But sticking to a few objective and trackable metrics will keep you way ahead of the game.

EOS? Component #4: Issues Component?

No successful business has a smooth ride. There’s always the occasional pothole on any route worth taking.

A core component of EOS is mastering the art of uncovering issues, solving them, and learning from the experience.

EOS? Component #5: Process Component?

Process is the glue that holds any and every business together.?

This component is all about identifying, simplifying, and documenting your core processes for?company-wide clarification .?

Slay the?Process Component , and watch your efficiency soar and profitability skyrocket.

EOS? Component #6: Traction?

All of the above is great, but if you don’t put the wheels in motion, you’re never going to reach your destination. So pump up those tires, fill that tank, and get the show on the road.

That means?filtering your roadmap ?to each business level, holding everyone to account (including yourself), and executing each leg of the journey with speed and skill.

Why use the Entrepreneurial Operating System?

Okay, so we’ve covered what EOS is and the bases it covers. But with over 100K companies running on EOS, what are the benefits that keep them coming back?

Well, to start with, here are just a few:

?Alignment refinement

By getting crystal clear on your vision and?doubling down on your process implementation , you’re taking the guesswork out of your business.

Instead of employees constantly asking the same questions (or worse, simply doing whatever they want), implementing EOS sets everyone on the same path with the same goals.

And if there are any tricky decisions along the way, the team can revert to the vision and?choose the route ?most aligned with getting them to that end destination.

In real terms, that EOS-driven alignment means:

• An end to vision procrastination: There’s an external pressure to figure it out, get it documented, scale it and pursue it fiercely.
• Building a rockstar team:?With a vision in mind and a company aligned, you can choose people from day one who will share that vision and promote your values.
• Enhanced employee focus:?Now everyone knows where the company is going, their role, and how to ace their part, they can crack on and get you there.

?Absolute accountability

Using EOS? to identify, discuss and cement your vision enables company-wide transparency. And with such open and?frank conversations ?on the agenda, a culture of accountability is born.?

Chasing your vision is like running a relay race. Each employee needs to?understand their role ?within the team, be motivated to execute it and receive feedback on their progress.

Accountability is all about fostering a culture of ownership. Cutting the excuses, managing expectations, and simplifying decisions by aligning with — you guessed it — the company vision.

Ace accountability at every level, and watch your execution speed (and revenue) accelerate.

?A+ organization

You know that feeling when you’ve just tidied a room that’s been driving you?crazy?for months? That ‘aha’ moment???

Imagine that feeling on a company-wide scale.?(That’s one big exhale right there!)

Simply put, implementing EOS gets you ‘unstuck’.

And it does that by?making you organized , healthy and functional. Especially within your leadership team. Because it’s their culture, example, and successes that set the tone for the rest of the organization.

EOS promotes tools and processes to get you ship shape and sail forwards to strengthen that culture. From strategic meetings to tracking systems and data-driven analysis techniques.

How to use EOS? to scale your company?

While companies that run on EOS certainly see a lot of success, we should note that EOS isn’t a quick fix.

No system in the world can help you magically become aligned, accountable, and organized overnight. But by combining the?EOS Process? ?with the?EOS Toolbox? , those epic results will soon be in sight.

Below are just a few ways to get your EOS journey off the ground, plus an overview of the vital EOS tools available to help you rock it.

Tip #1: Use an EOS? Implementer?

Although?you can self-implement, recruiting an?EOS Implementer ?can set you up to win.

An EOS Implementer is someone who uses their experience to help businesses excel at the?Six Key Components ?— teaching, facilitating, and coaching along the way.

If you decide to work with an Implementer, the first step is to schedule a?90-minute meeting. Your implementer will learn all about your company, how the tools work, the outcomes they could achieve for you, and share their proven process for working with companies that run on EOS.

Tip #2: Start with your meetings

15% of an organization’s time ?is spent in meetings — and if they’re not achieving anything, then you’re waving goodbye to crucial time and money.?

Implement EOS by using both of the EOS meeting tools available:

Meeting Pulse??— Keep meetings regular, consistent in format, and focused on maximizing alignment.

Level 10 Meeting??— Get to the crux of the issues and use the limited team time you have to solve problems head-on.

By making your meetings more efficient, you’re not only able to save time and money, but you’re also able to spend that reclaimed bandwidth on nurturing your employees.

Tip #3: Focus on your people

?The EOS Toolbox is big on people management tools. Because to implement EOS effectively into your business, you’ll need a heavy focus on getting your ducks in a row (and your employees too).

These five tools can help get you started on implementing EOS at every level of the business, and together, they form a set schedule for using EOS tools efficiently:

• ROCKS?— Use EOS for ultimate alignment. Choose your most important priorities each quarter and bring home the goods for your following quarter review.
• LMA??— To use EOS effectively, you have to share the load. You open up a two-way, transparent performance conversation by asking every employee for feedback.
• The People Analyzer??— Once they’ve self-evaluated, use EOS to get clear on your own opinions. Remove subjectivity and simply ask, “Do they fit our culture?”
• GWC??— So you’re onto a winner from your analysis. They mesh well and have the culture down. But if you want them to?truly?excel within your company, you have to figure out where they fit best. Otherwise, everyone is on track to the frustration station.?
• The 5-5-5??— Use the 5-5-5 to hone your people management skills. Here EOS stresses what’s essential for each employee: They live your five core values, they’re talented enough to excel at the five roles each employee plays, and they achieve their five rocks each quarter.

Tip #4: Get everyone aligned

Simply put, most organizations need at least one person who’s a delegation pro. But even then, letting go is tough. With the?Delegate and Elevate? ?tool, you’ll know which tasks to give the boot and which tasks to soldier on with.

Then you have EOS’?Accountability Chart?. This tool makes you step back, take stock and push forward without subjectivity, emotions, or past experiences getting in the way. Instead, everyone knows how to play their part and how others are contributing too.

Finally, the?Vision/Traction Organizer?. This tool takes the stress out of strategic planning, breaking it down into The Eight Questions? that will decide where your organization is going and how you’re going to get there.

Reach your goals and scale your company with EOS?

Whatever sector you’re in, whatever stage you’re at, whatever size you are, EOS? could be just the thing to take you to the next level.

Because as a business leader, you likely already know the following steps to take. But whether it’s procrastination, prioritization, or the juggling act that comes with building the plane as you’re flying it, you may likely be getting in your way.

But by breaking down those big steps and using logical tools to implement a significant change, those giant leaps and big goals seem that little bit less daunting and a heck of a lot more achievable.

?And at the end of the day, hitting those goals is what EOS? is all about.

The final word on a business operating system

You may as well plan to succeed because...