What does EOS stand for in business?
As a StratOp facilitator and guide, I’m often asked about EOS. What is EOS? EOS stands for “Entrepreneurial Operating System”. It’s a set of processes and tools that help small and mid-sized companies to be more efficient in running their businesses.
StratOp, the system that I implement, is a comprehensive framework that helps companies build and implement a strategy to improve company performance.
On the surface, both systems look like they do the same thing. However, when one looks closely, it’s pretty clear that although both systems are viable, they are indeed different. Let me explain.
What is the EOS planning model?
As I mentioned, EOS stands for Entrepreneurial Operating System. The key word here is “Operating”. This is the strength of EOS. The bulk of this system helps companies to OPERATE more effectively. Of the 6 EOS components, 5 are operational: People, Issues, Traction, Data, and Process. Within each of these components are easy to understand tools that leadership teams can implement for improved operations.
How does EOS strategy compare to StratOp?
Conversely, StratOp combines STRATegy (working on tomorrow’s business) and OPerations (managing today’s business). StratOp has 6 components (called “phases”) as well: Perspective, Planning, Action, Structure, Management, and Renewal. The Perspective phase is quite unique to StratOp. It forces teams to answer the question “Where are we now?”. Without knowing where you are, it’s really difficult to know where to go.
Where both systems overlap is in StratOp’s Structure phase. In this phase, teams are seeking to determine the processes, systems and people necessary to carry out the plan. The EOS tools fit beautifully within this phase, making faster work of determining the necessary structure.
Should I try EOS or StratOp?
So, should you choose StratOp or EOS for creating a strategy to improve company performance? Great question – and the answer is “it depends”. If your focus is to think about the future and how to get there, then StratOp is the better tool set. If, however, you only want operational efficiencies, then maybe EOS is the right choice.
What can I do today to improve my business strategy?
For me and my clients, I’m leveraging both EOS and StratOp. We begin with StratOp tools to gain perspective, then create a roadmap for where we’re going, and how we’re going to get there. From there, the EOS system is used to build out the “Structure” phase, providing my clients with solid processes. The results have been transformational to say the least. Contact me today to get started.