I drove past a gym named EOS the other day and wondered what their acronym stood for — since ours stands for the Entrepreneurial Operating System®. Eating Only Salad? Exercising On Steroids (let’s hope not)?
That got me thinking about the EOS Scorecard, the tool in our toolbox most likely to help you lose weight, and it’s cheaper than a gym membership (it’s free!).
The Power of Data-Driven Decisions
My first job out of college was as an Organizational Development project manager at Capital One. Back in 1999, Capital One was disrupting the credit card industry by using data—your spending habits—to create innovative, customized credit card offers. Those pre-approved credit card applications in your mail? Capital One. The balance transfer offers at lower interest rates? Capital One. They could do this because they could predict your future spending behavior based on your past behavior.
In my 14 years at Capital One, I was trained to be an analytical, data-based decision maker. Even in the “soft skills” space of performance management, leadership and culture, we used data to pilot, improve, and prove-out the effectiveness of any effort.
As you might imagine, I’m a big fan of the EOS Scorecard because it’s the foundation for making data-based decisions. Data drives results, even when it comes to shedding a few pounds.
The EOS Scorecard Approach to Weight Loss
Let’s say your goal is to weigh 175 pounds. The “traditional” measurement activity would be standing on the scale at the end of every week. Here’s what you might see: 185, 185, 184, 185, 183…
Frustrating. A little demoralizing.
If this were an EOS Scorecard measurable, we’d ask: What activities do we take before we get on the scale that impact the number on the scale? What numbers do we need to watch every week to know we’re on track to getting a lower number on the scale?
Weekly EOS Scorecard measurables might include:
- Espresso Martinis consumed (Goal: <3)
- Minutes of exercise completed (Goal: >90)
- Non-work hours on screens (Goal: <10)
- Meals not made at home (Goal: <2)
Now we are tracking the activities that lead to our desired outcome versus just the outcome itself. More importantly, each measurable tells us where to take action the coming week to course correct. Did we only get 45 minutes of exercise this week? That means next week we need to change our scheduled happy hour to a game of pickleball instead.
When it comes time for the monthly weigh-in, there will be no surprises. You’ll have seen the trends in your data over the last four weeks, so there should be a strong correlation between the actions you took and what the scale says. (Okay, I hear you peri- and post-menopausal ladies, the math just doesn’t math in the same way it used to, but hopefully you get my point.)
From Personal Health to Business Health
The EOS Scorecard shows a leadership team the 5-15 numbers they need to get a pulse on their business. Most importantly, it tells them to “take action!” when a measurable is off track.
Unlike a monthly P&L, a great weekly EOS Scorecard includes measurables that are:
- Activity-based
- Forward-looking
- Focused on what leads to the results you want
A weekly scorecard gives you 52 opportunities to make corrections in your business instead of 12. That gives us time to adjust and put extra effort into getting back on track next week.
When applied to your business, this same shift in thinking about data has a similar impact:
- More focus on what leads to the outcomes you want
- Better ability to drive the right action in your company
- More control of your business
Carrying a little weight around the middle of your business? EOS (the operating system, not the gym) might be the best place to start. Happy to talk about how the EOS Scorecard and other tools can help you track what matters and take action with real impact.