“Our vision is to inspire others and change the world for the better.”
Unattainable goals. Vague terms. Broad scope. Everyone wants to inspire others and change the world, but such a vision statement will leave the work to get there fuzzy, scattered, and unsatisfying. The scope of work that could fall within a vision statement like this is endless – and unrealistic.
Businesses grow into strong, healthy workplaces when your goals point in one direction.
The EOS Model Overview
The EOS model or Entrepreneurial Operating System is a program and toolbox that helps growing companies achieve their potential by bringing awareness to the fundamental functions of your team members. There are six components of the EOS model: Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction. Integrating these components within your organizations will focus your organization and simplify its path to success.
The first step to working together as a healthy, functional, cohesive team is establishing a clear Vision.
When everyone on your team is on the same page, you can move forward in the same direction – towards success! However, if your team has different visions for the company, you may move forward, but scattered to the winds. If your vision has grown blurry, that’s ok – we have the tools to help you get back on track.
Defining Your Vision
Every company should have a vision. But not every vision is clear and focused enough to be useful. The EOS model guides a company’s vision by asking these eight questions:
- What are your Core Values? These are the fundamental beliefs that drive everything you, and your people, do as a business. These guiding principles help your people know the difference between right and wrong when making decisions on behalf of the brand.
- What is your Core Focus? This is your reason for being. Your Core Focus keeps you from getting distracted by projects that might hinder or delay reaching your long-term goals.
- What is your 10-year target? This is the largest goal of your business, one that keeps you from changing course during your journey, staying true to your objective.
- What is your (high level) marketing strategy? In order to reach your goals, it’s critical you know what you should say and to whom you should say it.
- What is your 3-year picture? Painting a clear picture of what your business will look like in 3 years helps you and your team visualize success.
- What is your 1-year plan? With your 10-year target and 3-year picture in mind, a 1-year plan is the strategy you’ll use to take those first steps towards your vision.
- What are your Rocks (quarterly priorities)? Each quarter, identify the key results you want to conquer in order to progress within your 1-year plan. These should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely.
- What are the issues getting in the way of achieving all of this? Not all issues are bad, but rather opportunities for new business, improved efficiency, or strengthened team building. Identifying issues, the good and bad, is a powerful tool when creating your vision.
Taking time to thoughtfully develop answers to these questions will clarify your destination. You’ve likely thought about these questions before, but writing down your thoughts and putting together a solid goal-oriented roadmap, with the help of your team, will align your company’s action to success.
After you identify the vision, share it with everyone, including stakeholders. It’s impossible to move toward a healthy work environment without clear direction and solid vision.
How To Get Started
If you’re serious about growing your business, establishing a clear vision is the first step. Combining the six components of the EOS model will set your company up for healthy growth.
Are you ready? We can help you implement. The EOS program is proven to guide growing businesses towards success, time and time again. We believe in it so strongly, we offer single and multiple day engagements to define, build, and develop your teams into cohesive teams working toward a vision. Get in touch with us to learn more.