Chapter 1: The Entrepreneurial Operating System:
The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) identifies Six Key Components of any
organization. They are:
1. Vision: Successful business owners not only have compelling visions for their
organizations, but also know how to communicate those visions to the people around
them. They get everyone in the organization seeing the same clear image of where the
business is going and how it’s going to get there. It sounds easy, but it’s not. The more
clearly everyone can see your vision, the likelier you are to achieve it. Focus everyone’s
energy toward one thing and amazing results will follow.
2. People: Successful leaders surround themselves with great people. You can’t build a
great company without help. Be truly honest with yourself. Are all of your people the
right ones for their jobs? The reality is that some are probably hurting your cause more
than helping.
3. Data: The best leaders rely on a handful of metrics to help manage their business. The
Data Component frees you from the quagmire of managing personalities, egos, subjective
issues, emotions and intangibles by teaching you which metrics to focus on.
4. Issues: Issues are obstacles that must be faced to execute your vision. Just as an
individual’s success is directly proportionate to his or her ability to solve any issues that
arise, the same holds true for a company.
5. Process: Your processes are your Way of doing business. Successful organizations see
their Way clearly and constantly refine it. Due to lack of knowledge, this secret
ingredient in business in the most neglected of the Six Key Components. Most
entrepreneurs don’t understand how powerful process can be, but when you apply it
correctly, it works like magic, resulting in simplicity, scalability and profitability. You
will never get your company to the next level by keeping your processes in your head and
winging it as you go.
6. Traction: In the end, the most successful business leaders are the ones with traction.
They execute well and they know how to bring focus, accountability and discipline to
their organization. Due to fear and lack of discipline, the Traction Component is
typically most organizations’ weakest link. The inability to make a business vision a
reality is epidemic