Implementer Posts
The Power of a Shared Vision: Moving Beyond Revenue Goals
As an EOS Implementer, one of the most rewarding parts of my work is helping leadership teams gain crystal-clear alignment on their vision. Through the Vision/Traction Organizer (V/TO), we define core values, core focus, and a long-term core target—typically a 10-year target. While revenue goals often seem like the natural choice for this long-term target, I always encourage teams to think beyond just the numbers. A vision that inspires and energizes the team often comes from a deeper purpose—one that speaks to the impact they want to make. Recently, I worked with a client whose 10-year target was now only three years away. Originally, their core target had been focused on hitting a specific revenue goal. However, as we reviewed their progress during their two-day annual, we took a step back and asked an important question: Is this goal still the right one? Through discussion, the leadership team realized that
When did the price of eggs get so high?
The dark days of winter. This time of year is hard, especially with all the Christmas lights down. I know we are gaining on the sunlight, but we still have more than five months until the summer solstice. This season also means my hens aren’t laying many eggs. It has been two weeks since my last egg. As frequent readers know, it takes a lot of work to clean the coop, feed the hens, refill their water container, give them treats, put hats on them, and not get any eggs. The lack of egg production has forced me to buy eggs at the grocery store. I paid $10.49 for a dozen free-range eggs. When did the price of eggs get so high? Here I am, working really hard to care for my hens, and they aren’t doing their jobs. So I turned to my chicken coach for advice. My first
The Buddy System Is Not a Business System
The CEO sat at his desk long after everyone else had left the office. The tap of his pen was the only sound in the room; even his laptop was closed and silent. He had to face the unpleasant facts: quarter after quarter, the company was not hitting its goals. He couldn’t understand it. His leadership team was comprised of great, capable people. Team meetings were congenial and collaborative. Conflict was almost unheard of; in fact, there was outstanding camaraderie at the top level of the org chart. It should be a culture where productivity flourished. But somehow, the business was not thriving … If you as owner, founder, or CEO of a business resonate with this scenario, it may be that you have unintentionally established a “buddy system” instead of a “business system” among your company’s leadership. A buddy system is where the primary relationship between leadership team members
THE POWER OF FINANCIAL CLARITY: 7 KEY METRICS EVERY BUSINESS LEADER MUST MASTER
Having clear financial visibility isn’t just about knowing your bottom line—it’s about understanding the metrics that drive business decisions and create enterprise value. Yet many businesses struggle with financial clarity, operating with delayed or incomplete information that hampers their ability to make timely, strategic decisions. The Foundation of Financial Clarity Before diving into specific metrics, it’s crucial to establish a strong financial foundation. This requires three fundamental elements: The 7 Critical Metrics That Drive Profitability Every leadership team should focus on seven key metrics that directly impact their bottom line. These metrics form the foundation for management decisions that drive profitability: Revenue Drivers Cost Management Balance Sheet Efficiency Making These Metrics Work for You The goal isn’t just to track these metrics—it’s to improve them consistently through a systematic approach. Start by setting quarterly goals that target a 1% improvement in one or two metrics every quarter. While this might
Hitting the Ceiling
When we kick off our first EOS Worldwide session called “Focus Day,” we introduce the Leadership Team to a concept called Hitting the Ceiling and 5 Leadership Abilities that will help them from that moment on to break through the ceiling and continue growing. The backbone of this teaching comes from Dr Larry Greiner’s Evolution and Revolution of Business. Now EOS focuses on building strong leadership teams and making them Vision. Traction. Healthy. Our clients are privately-held businesses with 10-250 employees and anecdotally, I’d put them in the first 2 phases in the above chart. The chart itself is as fascinating as this insight: every single company in the history of business will experience “Hitting the Ceiling.” EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. Multiple Times. It got me to thinking about a different type of company segmentation. I wonder which one you are and wait for the catch at the end… 1. Smooth
Your growth checklist for 2025 – how did you score?
This year, I received the greatest gift in the world. I got to fly and build a plane mid-flight. As a business and leadership coach, I got to experience life on both sides of the equation. I got to elevate myself above the business and see the good, bad and ugly: The Crests, Cracks and the Chasms. Here are my top 10 learnings (which I’ll explain in both EOS Worldwide and Muggle terms.) (Plus there’s a challenge for you right at the end…but only for the brave…and fortune does favor the brave, but sadly courage is not always present amongst so many of us.) Bonus Insight: It’s all about people. Let me repeat: it’s all about people. It always was. It always will be. To requote Patrick Lencioni in 5 Dysfunctions: “Not finance. Not strategy. Not technology. It is teamwork that remains the ultimate competitive advantage, both because it is