April 28, 2025 • 9 mins
This episode unpacks the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and its six key components to improve organizational performance. Hear how Teal implemented the framework to scale effectively, with tools like the Vision/Traction Organizer and Level 10 Meetings driving alignment and accountability. Insights from Reid and Gar reveal key takeaways for businesses looking to adopt EOS.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome back to another episode ofVisionary IT,
(00:02):
where we explore strategies and systemsthat help businesses succeed
in today's fast-changing landscape.
Yeah,
this topic is one I'm really excitedabout because it's not just a bunch
of theory.
It's something we've actually used totransform how we run our own company.
It
is.
Today, we'll be diving into theEntrepreneurial Operating System,
(00:26):
also known as EOS.
It's a framework we've used at Teal for afew years now,
and it's been a game changer.
EOS is designed with small and midsizebusinesses
in mind.
If you're an entrepreneur or part of aleadership team,
this could be what you've been lookingfor to break through those business
plateaus.
Exactly.
(00:46):
So, if you've ever felt like yourorganization is sort of stuck or just
spinning its wheels,this episode is for you.
Yep.
And we'll break it all down-step bystep-so by the end of this conversation,
you'll have a crystal-clear idea of howEOS works and why it matters.
Alright,
let's get into how EOS can help.
It's a framework designed to align yourvision with your daily operations
(01:10):
through clarity, structure,and execution.
The results have been,
well, kind of incredible.
Gar, do you want to talk through the nutsand bolts-the six components?
Sure.
At its core, EOS is built around six keycomponents: Vision,
Data, Processes, Traction, Issues,
and People.
Let's unpack those a bit.
Vision, for example, is all aboutensuring everyone in your organization
(01:34):
is on the same page about where thecompany is heading and how you're
going to get there.
Yeah, and that's so critical,
right?
Like,if your team doesn't know the destination,
it's almost impossible for them to helpget you there.
Makes sense.
What's next?
Next is Data.
This component focuses on measurableperformance.
Think of it as cutting through any noiseand relying on the Key Performance
(01:59):
Indicators-the hard numbers-to guidedecisions.
Then, you have Processes,which are all about consistency.
It's making sure that how you do thingsis clear and repeatable across
the organization.
And it keeps things from feeling chaotic,
right?
Especially for small businesses whereeverybody's wearing a million hats.
Exactly.
(02:22):
Next is Traction.
Here's where the magic happens-it's theexecution piece.
EOS helps teams set quarterly priorities,
or what they call "Rocks," so you tacklegoals in smaller,
achievable chunks.
Then there's the Issues component,
which is crucial for problem-solving.
It's about identifying, discussing,
(02:43):
and solving anything holding your companyback.
That IDS process-you know,
Identify, Discuss,Solve-has been huge for us.
It totally shifts how your teamapproaches challenges.
It really does.
Lastly, the People component is aboutgetting the right folks in the
right roles.
(03:03):
EOS uses something called GWC-get it,
want it, and have the capacity to doit-to ensure everyone contributes
effectively.
When all six components work together,
EOS creates alignment and focus inorganizations.
And to add some perspective,
there's data backing this up.
Research shows businesses using EOS seemajor improvements-not just in
(03:28):
employee engagement, but also inprofitability and productivity.
And these
components don't exist in silos; they'reinterconnected,
reinforcing one another to build astronger organization.
So,
we've walked through the six keycomponents of EOS and how they
interconnect
to strengthen organizations.
Now let's explore the practical toolsthat bring this framework to life
(03:51):
and make it actionable for your team.
Yeah,
because without the tools,it's just ideas,
right?
Tools really give you the structure toput all these concepts into practice.
Absolutely.
The Vision Traction Organizer,
or VTO, is at the heart of gainingalignment in your organization.
It's essentially a roadmap.
On one page, you have everything fromyour core values to your 10-year
(04:14):
target, down to specific quarterly goals.
That clarity is huge.
And I love how simple it is.
It's not some massive document you spendsix months on.
It's concise, actionable, and somethingthe entire team can rally behind.
Right,
then there's the Accountability Chart.
It's different from a traditional orgchart-it's not about hierarchies.
(04:35):
Instead,it's about who owns what responsibilities.
This makes roles crystal clear,
reducing any confusion and overlap.
Yeah,
that's critical.
I mean, how many times have we seencompanies where no one's sure who's
actually accountable for something?
This really helps eliminate that.
It really does.
And when you pair these tools withregular Level 10 Meetings,
(04:56):
you create a rhythm of accountability.
These meetings happen weekly,at the same time,
and they're designed to focus on whatmatters most-progress tracking,
solving key issues,and ensuring alignment.
Wait,
you brought up the Level 10 Meeting!
Can you walk us through what a typicalmeeting looks like?
Sure!
It starts with a quick segue-basically,
(05:20):
everyone shares wins,both personal and professional.
Then, you dive into reviewing your KPIsfrom the scorecard and check
the status of your quarterly "Rocks."From there,
you tackle the IDS process-Identify,
Discuss,Solve-where you address critical issues.
The meeting wraps up with action stepsand a quick evaluation to keep
(05:42):
improving.
It's such a great system.
Everyone is on the same page, and you'reconstantly reinforcing accountability.
Plus, it's not just a "talk about stuff"meeting-it's about solving things.
Exactly.
And the discipline it brings-it'sinvaluable.
These tools and meetings ensure thatdaily tasks align with your long-term
goals.
(06:02):
It bridges strategy with executionseamlessly.
Ok,
so with all these great tools like theVTO,
Accountability Chart, and the Level 10Meetings-a big question is,
how does this all look in practice?
Let's dive into how we at Teal actuallyimplemented EOS and the impact
(06:23):
it's had on us.
Sure.
So, we started using EOS back in mid-2020,
which, as you might imagine, was notexactly the easiest time to introduce
new processes.
We were in the middle of the pandemic,
which delayed our initial kickoff.
But once we got started,the timing actually worked to our benefit.
We needed a structured framework morethan ever-and EOS helped provide
(06:47):
that.
Yeah, and I remember early on it felt...
well, chaotic, honestly.
We were wrapping our heads around newterms like "Rocks" and "IDS," and
it took some time to get buy-in.
But once we started seeing progress-realprogress-it all clicked.
And
I think that's a key point.
(07:07):
Like any system worth implementing,
there's an initial learning curve.
But once your leadership team startsusing these tools consistently,
you begin to see how they reinforce goodhabits.
It's designed to scale with you and,
most importantly, keep everyone aligned.
Totally.
Having that clarity about who'sresponsible for what?
(07:27):
It wasn't just helpful-it was freeing.
And when everyone knows their lane,
things start moving a lot faster.
Exactly.
For example, there was a point early onwhen we realized some key processes
weren't clearly defined-for things likeonboarding new clients.
EOS forced us to slow down,map out those steps,
and then communicate themorganization-wide.
(07:50):
It wasn't glamorous,but it was important for our scalability.
And scalable
frameworks are what it's all about forSMBs,
right?
But what about companies out therelooking to get started?
Where should they even begin?
Great question.
The number one resource I'd recommend isthe book "Traction" by Gino
Wickman.
It's the blueprint for everything EOS.
Beyond that, I'd strongly suggest workingwith an experienced EOS implementer
(08:14):
at the start.
They'll guide your team until you'recomfortable taking the reins.
That's what we did,and it made all the difference.
Yeah,
and once you've got the basics down,
self-implementing can be a good option.
But the key is sticking with the system.
EOS only works if you actually use it,
consistently.
So true.
To wrap it up, I'll say this (08:33):
EOS has been transformative for us,
not just in terms of scalability but increating a more cohesive leadership
team.
It's not a silver bullet, but it is aproven system that delivers results
if you commit to it.
Couldn't agree more.
So, if you're feeling like your businessis spinning its wheels,
(08:54):
it's worth looking into.
Read "Traction," maybe chat with animplementer,
and give it a shot.
You won't regret it.
Alright, that's all for today's episodeof Visionary
IT.
Thanks for tuning in, and we hope thisconversation has given you some
actionable insights into theEntrepreneurial Operating System-and maybe
even inspired you to give it a try.
Yeah,
(09:15):
it's been great discussing this.
Until next time, stay visionary,
stay secure.
Welcome back to another episode ofVisionary IT,
(00:02):
where we explore strategies and systemsthat help businesses succeed
in today's fast-changing landscape.
Yeah,
this topic is one I'm really excitedabout because it's not just a bunch
of theory.
It's something we've actually used totransform how we run our own company.
It
is.
Today, we'll be diving into theEntrepreneurial Operating System,
(00:26):
also known as EOS.
It's a framework we've used at Teal for afew years now,
and it's been a game changer.
EOS is designed with small and midsizebusinesses
in mind.
If you're an entrepreneur or part of aleadership team,
this could be what you've been lookingfor to break through those business
plateaus.
Exactly.
(00:46):
So, if you've ever felt like yourorganization is sort of stuck or just
spinning its wheels,this episode is for you.
Yep.
And we'll break it all down-step bystep-so by the end of this conversation,
you'll have a crystal-clear idea of howEOS works and why it matters.
Alright,
let's get into how EOS can help.
It's a framework designed to align yourvision with your daily operations
(01:10):
through clarity, structure,and execution.
The results have been,
well, kind of incredible.
Gar, do you want to talk through the nutsand bolts-the six components?
Sure.
At its core, EOS is built around six keycomponents: Vision,
Data, Processes, Traction, Issues,
and People.
Let's unpack those a bit.
Vision, for example, is all aboutensuring everyone in your organization
(01:34):
is on the same page about where thecompany is heading and how you're
going to get there.
Yeah, and that's so critical,
right?
Like,if your team doesn't know the destination,
it's almost impossible for them to helpget you there.
Makes sense.
What's next?
Next is Data.
This component focuses on measurableperformance.
Think of it as cutting through any noiseand relying on the Key Performance
(01:59):
Indicators-the hard numbers-to guidedecisions.
Then, you have Processes,which are all about consistency.
It's making sure that how you do thingsis clear and repeatable across
the organization.
And it keeps things from feeling chaotic,
right?
Especially for small businesses whereeverybody's wearing a million hats.
Exactly.
(02:22):
Next is Traction.
Here's where the magic happens-it's theexecution piece.
EOS helps teams set quarterly priorities,
or what they call "Rocks," so you tacklegoals in smaller,
achievable chunks.
Then there's the Issues component,
which is crucial for problem-solving.
It's about identifying, discussing,
(02:43):
and solving anything holding your companyback.
That IDS process-you know,
Identify, Discuss,Solve-has been huge for us.
It totally shifts how your teamapproaches challenges.
It really does.
Lastly, the People component is aboutgetting the right folks in the
right roles.
(03:03):
EOS uses something called GWC-get it,
want it, and have the capacity to doit-to ensure everyone contributes
effectively.
When all six components work together,
EOS creates alignment and focus inorganizations.
And to add some perspective,
there's data backing this up.
Research shows businesses using EOS seemajor improvements-not just in
(03:28):
employee engagement, but also inprofitability and productivity.
And these
components don't exist in silos; they'reinterconnected,
reinforcing one another to build astronger organization.
So,
we've walked through the six keycomponents of EOS and how they
interconnect
to strengthen organizations.
Now let's explore the practical toolsthat bring this framework to life
(03:51):
and make it actionable for your team.
Yeah,
because without the tools,it's just ideas,
right?
Tools really give you the structure toput all these concepts into practice.
Absolutely.
The Vision Traction Organizer,
or VTO, is at the heart of gainingalignment in your organization.
It's essentially a roadmap.
On one page, you have everything fromyour core values to your 10-year
(04:14):
target, down to specific quarterly goals.
That clarity is huge.
And I love how simple it is.
It's not some massive document you spendsix months on.
It's concise, actionable, and somethingthe entire team can rally behind.
Right,
then there's the Accountability Chart.
It's different from a traditional orgchart-it's not about hierarchies.
(04:35):
Instead,it's about who owns what responsibilities.
This makes roles crystal clear,
reducing any confusion and overlap.
Yeah,
that's critical.
I mean, how many times have we seencompanies where no one's sure who's
actually accountable for something?
This really helps eliminate that.
It really does.
And when you pair these tools withregular Level 10 Meetings,
(04:56):
you create a rhythm of accountability.
These meetings happen weekly,at the same time,
and they're designed to focus on whatmatters most-progress tracking,
solving key issues,and ensuring alignment.
Wait,
you brought up the Level 10 Meeting!
Can you walk us through what a typicalmeeting looks like?
Sure!
It starts with a quick segue-basically,
(05:20):
everyone shares wins,both personal and professional.
Then, you dive into reviewing your KPIsfrom the scorecard and check
the status of your quarterly "Rocks."From there,
you tackle the IDS process-Identify,
Discuss,Solve-where you address critical issues.
The meeting wraps up with action stepsand a quick evaluation to keep
(05:42):
improving.
It's such a great system.
Everyone is on the same page, and you'reconstantly reinforcing accountability.
Plus, it's not just a "talk about stuff"meeting-it's about solving things.
Exactly.
And the discipline it brings-it'sinvaluable.
These tools and meetings ensure thatdaily tasks align with your long-term
goals.
(06:02):
It bridges strategy with executionseamlessly.
Ok,
so with all these great tools like theVTO,
Accountability Chart, and the Level 10Meetings-a big question is,
how does this all look in practice?
Let's dive into how we at Teal actuallyimplemented EOS and the impact
(06:23):
it's had on us.
Sure.
So, we started using EOS back in mid-2020,
which, as you might imagine, was notexactly the easiest time to introduce
new processes.
We were in the middle of the pandemic,
which delayed our initial kickoff.
But once we got started,the timing actually worked to our benefit.
We needed a structured framework morethan ever-and EOS helped provide
(06:47):
that.
Yeah, and I remember early on it felt...
well, chaotic, honestly.
We were wrapping our heads around newterms like "Rocks" and "IDS," and
it took some time to get buy-in.
But once we started seeing progress-realprogress-it all clicked.
And
I think that's a key point.
(07:07):
Like any system worth implementing,
there's an initial learning curve.
But once your leadership team startsusing these tools consistently,
you begin to see how they reinforce goodhabits.
It's designed to scale with you and,
most importantly, keep everyone aligned.
Totally.
Having that clarity about who'sresponsible for what?
(07:27):
It wasn't just helpful-it was freeing.
And when everyone knows their lane,
things start moving a lot faster.
Exactly.
For example, there was a point early onwhen we realized some key processes
weren't clearly defined-for things likeonboarding new clients.
EOS forced us to slow down,map out those steps,
and then communicate themorganization-wide.
(07:50):
It wasn't glamorous,but it was important for our scalability.
And scalable
frameworks are what it's all about forSMBs,
right?
But what about companies out therelooking to get started?
Where should they even begin?
Great question.
The number one resource I'd recommend isthe book "Traction" by Gino
Wickman.
It's the blueprint for everything EOS.
Beyond that, I'd strongly suggest workingwith an experienced EOS implementer
(08:14):
at the start.
They'll guide your team until you'recomfortable taking the reins.
That's what we did,and it made all the difference.
Yeah,
and once you've got the basics down,
self-implementing can be a good option.
But the key is sticking with the system.
EOS only works if you actually use it,
consistently.
So true.
To wrap it up, I'll say this (08:33):
EOS has been transformative for us,
not just in terms of scalability but increating a more cohesive leadership
team.
It's not a silver bullet, but it is aproven system that delivers results
if you commit to it.
Couldn't agree more.
So, if you're feeling like your businessis spinning its wheels,
(08:54):
it's worth looking into.
Read "Traction," maybe chat with animplementer,
and give it a shot.
You won't regret it.
Alright, that's all for today's episodeof Visionary
IT.
Thanks for tuning in, and we hope thisconversation has given you some
actionable insights into theEntrepreneurial Operating System-and maybe
even inspired you to give it a try.
Yeah,
(09:15):
it's been great discussing this.
Until next time, stay visionary,
stay secure.
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