When implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), many entrepreneurial business leaders face the decision of whether to self-implement or engage an EOS Implementer®. While it may be tempting to self-implement, there are several reasons why partnering with a trained EOS Implementer can significantly accelerate progress, increase effectiveness, and lead to better long-term outcomes for the business.
Expertise and Experience
An EOS Implementer brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from working with hundreds of companies in diverse industries. Implementers are trained not only to teach the tools but also to facilitate discussions and coach leadership teams through difficult decisions. Their deep understanding of EOS, honed through extensive training and real-world application, ensures that your business will follow the process correctly, avoid common pitfalls, and get the most out of the system.
Self-implementers often struggle with interpreting and applying EOS tools consistently, leading to delays in realizing results. For example, while many companies can work through the Vision/Traction Organizer™ (V/TO) themselves, without expert guidance, the clarity and alignment that comes from having an EOS Implementer guide that process may be missed.
Accountability and Objectivity
Implementers act as impartial third parties who can help teams stay accountable to the process and to each other. One of the biggest challenges for leadership teams is maintaining focus and discipline in execution. An EOS Implementer holds the team accountable for following through on commitments, ensuring that the team doesn't drift from the process or water down the system.
Without an implementer, it's easy for businesses to slip back into old habits or modify the tools in ways that reduce their effectiveness. As stated in the EOS Guide, "Changing the tools or the process leads to diminishing returns. By staying true to the system with the help of an EOS Implementer, teams can be confident they are on the right track.
Facilitating Difficult Conversations
A major value of working with an EOS Implementer is their ability to navigate difficult conversations and ensure open, honest dialogue. Implementers are trained to facilitate discussions that might otherwise be uncomfortable, helping teams address deep-rooted issues and identify the real causes of friction. This is crucial when solving complex business problems or making tough decisions about people, priorities, or processes. Self-implementation often needs more facilitation, leading to unresolved tensions within the team.
Implementers are skilled at creating an environment where every voice is heard, while guiding the team towards resolution and alignment. The ability to handle these dynamics is one of the core strengths of an EOS Implementer, whichoften leads to breakthroughs that self-implementing teams might never achieve.
Speed and Efficiency
Time is a critical factor when implementing any business system. Working with an EOS Implementer speeds up the learning curve and accelerates results. Implementers guide the leadership team through each phase of the EOS Process™ efficiently, ensuring that the tools are understood and adopted in the right order.
Self-implementing teams can get bogged down in the details, trying to figure out which tools to use when and how to apply them correctly. This can lead to frustration and slow progress. An EOS Implementer keeps the team on track, ensuring consistent forward momentum and reducing the time it takes to see meaningful results.
Long-Term Success
Ultimately, the goal of using EOS is to help leadership teams strengthen all six key components of their business: Vision, people, data, issues, process, and transaction. While it's possible to self-implement EOS, the guidance of a professional ensures that you don't just implement it—you master it. Companies that use an EOS Implementer are far more likely to see lasting success, fully integrate the tools into their operations, and reach a level of independence where they no longer need external help.
While self-implementation might seem cost-effective, engaging an EOS Implementer delivers unmatched value. Their expertise, objectivity, and ability to drive accountability can dramatically improve the speed and effectiveness of the implementation, making your Implementer an essential partner on the path to achieving Vision, Traction, and Health within your organization.