A graph of my ad agency’s growth since it started in 2010 would show a steady rise, to a series of big leaps, beginning in 2016. Media Bridge earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies that year, and we’ve done it almost every year since.
What magical thing happened in 2016? Lots of factors came into play, but two stick out in my mind: We started running on the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and we encouraged our clients to run on EOS as well.
EOS is an amazing business operating system. But its real genius is how it creates something I call the EcOSphere: an affinity group of high-performing business leaders who achieve mutual growth by running on EOS together.
If you run on EOS and don’t actively seek out other EOS companies as customers and partners, you’re leaving growth on the table. In my experience, here are the top 5 growth advantages you receive when you enter the EcOSphere:
Advantage #1: Solutions, not finger-pointing. Businesses break up when trust breaks down. Compared to companies who don’t run on EOS, EcOSphere companies operate with more clarity and focus. This translates to a culture of accountability and trust.
Bottom Line: EOS companies grow together by spending less time assigning blame and more time-solving problems.
Advantage #2: Greater speed and efficiency. EcOSphere companies are like twins who speak a private language. You know what a V/TO is. You know what Rocks are. You can talk about your L10 meetings and Quarterlies. EcOSphere companies also have more defined roles and responsibilities, which reduces confusion and speeds things up.
Bottom Line: EOS companies grow together because they hit the ground running, speak the same language and don’t get bogged down by lack of clarity.
Advantage #3: Faster problem-solving. EOS forces you to consistently identify and solve your issues. If your issues involve other companies in the EcOSphere, solving them is even more efficient. The pandemic proved this; Media Bridge and our EcOSphere clients were able to stay calm, agile, and experience growth!
Bottom Line: EOS companies grow together by addressing the root of issues and keeping the smaller ones from growing.
Advantage #4: Better communication and stronger relationships. Media Bridge President, Toni Dandrea, recently led a Marketing V/TO (Vision, Traction, Organizer) session with client and EcOSphere member, Care Counseling. The exercise brought us closer together both strategically and emotionally, thanks to our common use of EOS.
Bottom Line: EOS companies grow together by sharing practices that build relationships.
Advantage #5: Constant improvement. EcOSphere companies constantly look for ways to make their people, processes and businesses better. It’s just in their DNA. When two EOS companies join together, it creates a positive feedback loop of progress.
Bottom Line: EOS companies grow together because they continually look for places for development on the individual, team, and company levels.
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Companies in the EcOSphere are just different. They’re friendlier. More approachable. More transparent. More efficient. More nimble. And more willing to help. If you already run on EOS, you know what I’m talking about.
My Advice: Enter the EcOSphere. Let your colleagues, customers and partners know about EOS. Encourage them to run on it too. And inspire mutual and sustainable growth for everybody.