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Gaining Traction with EOS®

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What the Heck is EOS book is laying on a wood table with a hand placed on the book. The background of the book is organge with black and white lettering.

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The Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®) dramatically changed 8THIRTYFOUR as a business, culture and team. We had some hard times before we worked the system into our business, and now that we’ve embraced EOS®, we’ve had nothing but strides in the right direction.

But what is EOS®, and why were we so excited to implement it for 8THIRTYFOUR? Keep reading to hear first-hand from 8THIRTYFOUR’s owner, Kim Bode, about why we do things the way we do.

Kim writes…

A Rocky Start

The EOS® journey for 8THIRTYFOUR started a little over two years ago when I was feeling extremely burned out. I dreaded going to work and really disliked where the business was at the time and where it was going.

Enter the book, Traction by Gino Wickman. A potential client handed it to me and told me that it would change my life. Those are his words, not mine. It seemed over the top. I was certain that he’d drunk the Kool-Aid, if you know what I mean.

Despite my skepticism, I read the book over the next few days.  I knew it was the answer to righting the ship and helping me remember why I started the firm in the first place.

I drank the Kool-Aid, too, and I am now currently selling it on the street. Here’s why:

Vision and Values

Most business owners have a vision in their head but have never taken the time to write it down or communicate it. If no one is on the same page, how can you make sure you’re moving in the same direction?

By defining the vision and core values of our agency, I was able to make better decisions about people, processes, finances, strategies and clients.

8THIRTYFOUR has defined core values, a core focus, a one-, three- and ten-year target, and a foundation set for our marketing strategy. We have never been more in sync.

Right People, Right Seats

It is no secret that entrepreneurs and business owners make a lot of decisions based on emotions. Our businesses are like children to us; our passion, hopes and dreams are all wrapped up in them. However, making professional decisions based on emotions is a stupid and harmful way to run your business. You can’t hire people based on “like” or “dislike.”

That’s where EOS® comes in. Traction coins the phrase, “Right people, right seats.” It is pretty self-explanatory: you need the right person in the needed position. The position/need comes first, and the person is second.

The right people are determined by your core values. Do your employees embody all of those values? Some of them? None of them?

By analyzing employees in this way, you take the emotion out of it. They either do, or they don’t.

This was the hardest part of EOS® for me. It meant that some people wouldn’t make the cut, but it was a business decision for the good of the agency.

The Process

What are the core processes that make your business tick? Once you define them, document all of them at a high level and implement internally and externally.

We created checklists that included client management, strategy development and more. We have a manual filled with standard operating procedures that all staff can refer to for organization structure, vision, core values and more.

The EOS® process is not rocket science. It is a roadmap for your business. It provides you with the tools to be successful. What you have to do as the owner is give up the control.

Can you do it?

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Have you tuned into The Happy Hour Hustle Podcast yet?
If not, a) you’re missing out and b) you need to follow immediately. Hosted by @bodespeaks, episodes drop every other week, and feature some pretty bada$$ guests if we do say so ourselves.

This week, Kim sits down with @kelsey_orchard , VP of Marketing and Communications at @fifthwheelfreight to chat building a personal brand, Gen Z entering the workforce, misconceptions about logistics, spotting fake LinkedIn profiles – oh and why your GPA doesn’t matter anymore.

Grab a watermelon margarita, sit back and enjoy for lots of laughs and real talk.

Listen now at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18112263326023209
Have you tuned into The Happy Hour Hustle Podcast yet? If not, a) you’re missing out and b) you need to follow immediately. Hosted by @bodespeaks, episodes drop every other week, and feature some pretty bada$$ guests if we do say so ourselves. This week, Kim sits down with @kelsey_orchard , VP of Marketing and Communications at @fifthwheelfreight to chat building a personal brand, Gen Z entering the workforce, misconceptions about logistics, spotting fake LinkedIn profiles – oh and why your GPA doesn’t matter anymore. Grab a watermelon margarita, sit back and enjoy for lots of laughs and real talk. Listen now at the link in bio.

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We were taught to be ashamed, keep quiet, and to accept that it is just part of being a woman. We reject that narrative. In fact, like @bodespeaks, we want to bring it up in every conversation.

When we normalize perimenopause and the conversation around it, we stop isolating, and we’re all more prepared.
Join us for Uncomfortable Conversations: The Pause on September 24th — a powerful conversation hosted alongside the @smallbusinessassocofmichigan
Women’s Business Council, featuring some kicka$$ experts who will give you the real talk on perimenopause (more to come on them later).

Register at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18132641716644887
National Perimenopause Month starts today. We have a LOT to say, and we’re not going to be quiet about it, especially this month, so buckle up. We were not prepared for perimenopause, much like our periods, sex, or anything else to do with our bodies. God forbid we talk about it openly. We were taught to be ashamed, keep quiet, and to accept that it is just part of being a woman. We reject that narrative. In fact, like @bodespeaks, we want to bring it up in every conversation. When we normalize perimenopause and the conversation around it, we stop isolating, and we’re all more prepared. Join us for Uncomfortable Conversations: The Pause on September 24th — a powerful conversation hosted alongside the @smallbusinessassocofmichigan Women’s Business Council, featuring some kicka$$ experts who will give you the real talk on perimenopause (more to come on them later). Register at the link in bio.

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Introducing the Women`s Owners Network - a new program built for what comes first, joining our proven Fellowship model to support Michigan women at every stage of business ownership.

Whether you`ve got a team of 10 or it`s just you and your laptop, you deserve a room full of women who get it.

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Applications due October 1. Apply now at the link in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18089775152664042
You asked, we delivered. Introducing the Women's Owners Network - a new program built for what comes first, joining our proven Fellowship model to support Michigan women at every stage of business ownership. Whether you've got a team of 10 or it's just you and your laptop, you deserve a room full of women who get it. Six months of leadership, finance, operations, capital access, paired with real support for the isolation, emotional volatility, and decision fatigue that come with owning your own business. You'll have your own board of directors in your corner, including @bodespeaks plus a group of mentors, instructors, and coaches who've been exactly where you are. Applications due October 1. Apply now at the link in bio.

"I am big enough to admit that I am often inspired by myself" - Leslie F*ucking Knope

You are the hero in your own story. Be like Leslie and believe it.

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It`s personal branding with a shot of tequila. Register in bio.

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Open post by 8thirtyfour with ID 18026151482745649
"I am big enough to admit that I am often inspired by myself" - Leslie F*ucking Knope You are the hero in your own story. Be like Leslie and believe it. Come to the Big Deal Energy Workshop, @bodespeaks will show you how. It's personal branding with a shot of tequila. Register in bio.
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