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The Battle of the Management Acronyms: EOS vs. GGOB

 

In the ever-evolving landscape of business management, entrepreneurs and family businesses constantly seek the best methods to steer their enterprises toward sustained success. In 2024, two major schools of thought exist that have evolved around coaching entrepreneurs in the best ways to manage their businesses. Both have spawned websites, books, training videos, and almost cult-like followings. These are the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and the Great Game of Business (GGOB); and a visit to either of the websites centering around these methodologies (eosworldwide.com or greatgame.com) offers testimonials and statistics from companies that have used and loved their tools. For example, EOS boasts 695 “implementer companies” ranging from non-profits to advertising agencies, and Whole Foods credits GGOB as a major factor in the 20% average annual sales growth rates they experienced since implementing the program.

But if you’re looking to spend your valuable time (and even money) investing in upgrading your management game, you’re probably asking yourself: which one of these strategies is, in fact, better? And, of course, the answer is: “it depends.” But what does it depend on? To answer that question, it’s worth looking a little deeper into these two management methodologies, as well as their benefits and limitations.

What is EOS?

The first (alphabetically anyway) of these two management methodologies is the Entrepreneurial Operating System, or EOS. This method focuses on understanding and strengthening the “Six Key Components of any business that must be managed and strengthened to be a great business.” According to the EOS website, these six components are Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction.

How does this methodology help businesses?  

According to companies that use and love EOS, the major advantage of this methodology is that it helps companies break things down and refocus on what is important. EOS really hones on defining a company’s core values associated with the “Six Key Components” and making sure those values are understood by employees and customers alike. It also values compartmentalization of surface-level problems in favor of a focus on root-cause issues, as well as a constant asking of the question “how will this help us achieve our goals.”

EFBC’s Members Insight: Dave Westerman’s and Sean Hoffman’s Experience with EOS

Dave Westerman, Owner of Carbit Paint, has enhanced his business’s internal communication with the EOS Meeting Pulse. A Meeting Pulse entails having regular meetings, optimized for frequency and duration, and including only those company members pertinent to the function of the team. For instance, the leadership team meets weekly for 90 minutes, every Wednesday to check on progress vs quarterly goals, share headlines, and resolve issues. The leadership team also meets annually, in January for a different purpose. This strategic 2-day off-site meeting focuses on team-building exercises and forward planning, helping his team reflect on the past year and create comprehensive blueprints for the next quarter, year, and three years. “These 2 days are often my favorite of the year, as it allows us to work ‘on the business’ instead of ‘in the business,’” says Dave.

Sean Hoffman, Owner of Nuance Solutions, utilizes the Vision Traction Organizer (VTO) to simplify complex strategies and align his team with the business’s vision, goals, and strategies. Over the 90 days, his Senior Leadership team crafted their VTO, outlining both long-term and short-term goals. “Nuance has already seen great benefits from this commitment, and we look forward to becoming a better organization!” says Sean.

This methodology might help your company if…
  1. You recently experienced rapid growth: With a focus on… well… focus and a commitment to advising entrepreneurs on the value of saying “no” to things that don’t align with company values, EOS can help a rapidly growing company slow down and focus on what is important.
  2. You might be losing sight of why you started: Again, focus is the name of the game with EOS, so if your company feels disorganized or like your values are starting to feel muddy, this methodology could prove invaluable.
  3. You are visual learners: EOS tends to break things down into categories and infographics, which can be helpful if you have a lot of visual learners on your management team.

What is GGOB?

Where EOS is about compartmentalization, definition, and structure, GGOB focuses on transparency, an “open-book” management style, and ensuring that all employees feel ownership over their company. The idea is that employees who know more will be able to do more, and that “people will fight for” things they feel they’ve helped create.

How does this methodology help businesses?

Again differing from EOS, which advocates for putting people with specialized training into the roles best suited for them, GGOB enables companies to create teams of people who could theoretically step into any role, because everyone has access to the same level of knowledge.  Advocates of this management style say it encourages flexibility, accountability, and collaboration, and that its implementation leads to innovative solutions coming from employees at all levels.

This methodology might help your company if…
  1. You’re a small start-up: Transparency tends to be most easily achieved within small companies, which is good because that’s where it’s the most necessary. Start-ups and other companies with small workforces often require “all-hands-on-deck” projects, and radical transparency allows employees to jump into these projects with the least amount of lead time.
  2. You want to empower upward mobility in your workforce: For companies looking to develop and promote internally, GBBO allows employees to get a “head start” on training for their net role in the company while still thriving in their current one.
  3. You have a lot of employees who are “jacks-of-all-trades:” GGOB works best when everyone in a company has a little background knowledge about a lot of different facets of the work. GGOB can be implemented in companies with highly specialized roles, but it will take a little more training and groundwork to do so.

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

Both EOS and GGOB offer valuable frameworks for enhancing business operations. As business owner, your choice should align with your specific needs and goals. Whether you prioritize structured focus or transparent collaboration, understanding the core principles of these methodologies will guide you in making the best decision for your business.

At the Entrepreneur and Family Business Council, we understand the complexities of choosing the right management strategy. Need help deciding? We’re here to assist you along the way.

Happy managing!