So you’ve read Traction, you’re convinced that EOS® could transform your business, and you’re ready to take the next step. But here’s the thing — choosing the right EOS implementer can make or break your entire experience.
I’ve seen companies absolutely thrive with the right implementer, and I’ve also seen teams get burned by working with someone who wasn’t the right fit. The difference? Knowing what to look for from the start.
Let me walk you through exactly how to find an implementer who will help you get everything you want from EOS®.
The Value of Working with an Implementer vs. Self-Implementation
Let me start with a bit about my experience. Before joining EOS Worldwide (my role prior to joining Strety), I worked for a company that was self-implementing EOS. We read the books, joined Base Camp, tried to learn as much as we could on our own. And we kept saying things like “Well, that just doesn’t really work for our business” or “That doesn’t work for our industry — we’re just different.”
Then when I learned more about EOS, I realized we were just doing everything wrong.
The big miss with self-implementation is that you don’t have all the information and background knowledge. It’s easy to misunderstand things and end up going your own route without trying to.
Then there’s the accountability piece. Having someone who’s truly going to hold you as a leader accountable, make sure things are done right, make sure you’re being open and honest — that outside perspective is invaluable.
When you’re super close to people on your team, it might be harder to see issues or make necessary changes because “it’s just the way we’ve always done things.” Having that outside viewpoint come in and call you out on what needs to be called out is really powerful.
Choosing the right Implementer is a key that will unlock the full power of EOS® for your business. Let’s go through the most important things to look for when you’re choosing an EOS Implementer.
Start with the Basics: Make Sure They’re Legit
This might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people try to represent EOS® without actually being trained implementers. Your first step should always be confirming that you’re speaking to a true EOS Worldwide-trained implementer.
Here’s how to check: Every legitimate implementer shows up in the EOS implementer directory. If they’re not listed there, that’s a red flag. You want someone who’s been trained and can follow the proven EOS process. If they start suggesting their own ideas outside of the framework, be cautious — the whole point of EOS® is that it’s a proven system that works when you follow it.
Look for the Right Background and Experience
Ask about their background and first-hand experience. What have they done in their businesses or organizations? What positions have they held? You want to make sure their experience instills a feeling of confidence in their abilities to support your team’s needs.
But here’s what’s interesting — industry experience isn’t as important as you might think. I get asked all the time whether companies should find an implementer who specializes in their specific industry. The answer? It doesn’t matter one bit.
The implementer’s job is to be an expert at EOS® implementation, not an expert in your field. The industry-specific answers you need are going to come from within your team — the implementer is there to help draw them out and guide the process.
Cultural Fit is Everything
Most importantly, you need to have a good cultural fit with your implementer. EOS implementation sometimes involves pretty hard conversations, and those conversations feel a lot better when you’re talking to someone you connect with — someone you truly believe is there to help your business succeed.
When they’re telling you “Hey, you’re doing this wrong, here’s how you need to do it differently,” you need to know it’s for your benefit.
Ask them about their core values. Share your company’s core values. Make sure there’s alignment. When you work through your vision with them, you want to feel confident they’re on board and supportive of where you want to take your organization.
Use the 90-Minute Meeting as Your Working Interview
Every EOS implementer offers a free 90-minute meeting, and this is your golden opportunity. Think of it as a working interview with your potential implementer.
Pay attention to how they facilitate the meeting. How do they lead the room? Even notice their tone of voice — is it something that works well for your team? Will your people be able to engage with them based on how they communicate?
This is also your chance to make sure EOS is right for you. You’ll get to review the tools and processes and see if they’re going to solve the challenges you’re facing.
The 90-Minute Meeting: Who Should Attend and When to Schedule
Bring your full leadership team to the 90-minute meeting — anyone who’s going to be a decision maker or leader within the organization. If you’re not sure what your leadership team looks like yet, that’s okay. Take anyone you think might be in a leadership position.
Here’s the thing: the people who start in that 90-minute meeting might not be the same people who go through the rest of the EOS process with you. Once you dive into your accountability chart, things often shift. But you want to start strong with whoever you think will benefit from these learnings.
When should you schedule this meeting? As soon as you’ve discovered EOS and have an inkling it could be right for your business. And if you do a 90-minute meeting with one Implementer and they don’t feel like the right fit, don’t hesitate to do another one with someone else. It’s worth taking the time to find the right person.
In-Person vs. Remote EOS Implementation
Not sure if you should go with a local implementer or expand your criteria for a remote implementation? The answer depends on your team. If you’re typically a remote working team, virtual implementation can work really well — some implementers are experts at virtual facilitation and you’ll have the same great experience.
However, if you’re normally an in-person team, there’s real value in being together. Implementers do a great job of reading the room and watching for body language, which is easier to see in person. Plus, it’s simpler to make sure everyone’s fully engaged when you’re not dealing with distractions that come with being on a computer.
There’s also something to be said for getting outside your regular day-to-day environment. Even taking it a step further and going outside your normal office helps you truly unplug from working in the business so you can focus on working on the business.
Tried EOS Before? Don’t Be Afraid to Give it a New Look With a New Implementer
First, ask yourself why you didn’t like the experience. Was it because you didn’t believe in the tools and processes? Was the Implementer not the right fit? Or maybe your team wasn’t willing to truly commit and give it their all?
I’ve definitely seen issues where if the whole team isn’t on board — if you’re not really trusting the process and giving it everything you’ve got — it’s not going to work as well.
Take an honest look at what went wrong. If it was the implementer, it’s absolutely worth trying again with someone new. Go back to doing 90-minute meetings until you find the right fit. But make sure your team is going to be 100% committed this time. If they’re not, it’s not worth moving forward.
Trust the Process
Here’s one more thing that comes up pretty often: people asking if they need to follow the specific EOS process or if they can make up their own approach.
The whole point of going with EOS is that it’s a proven process that works when you follow steps X, Y, Z. If you’re not able to commit to it, accept it, and just trust the process — if you can’t follow what the Implementer is asking you to do — it’s going to be an issue and it won’t work for you.
The process is proven. You follow it step by step, exactly as it’s laid out. That’s how you get results.
Ready to Find Your Implementer?
The right EOS implementer will transform not just your business, but how your team works together. Take the time to find someone who fits your culture, understands your vision, and will hold you accountable to the process. Check out the EOS Worldwide Implementer Directory to find the right person for your business.
Once you start implementing EOS, you’ll want tools that make it easy to live the framework every day. That’s where Strety comes in — we’ve built the most intuitive platform for running EOS, with integrations that connect to the tools you already use.
Start your free trial to see how Strety can support your EOS journey, or book a demo to learn how other companies are using our platform to get the most out of their business operating system.
FAQ: Choosing an EOS Implementer
How many 90-minute meetings should I schedule?
There’s no specific number, but many people follow the “rule of three.” If you do one 90-minute meeting and feel like that Implementer is the right person for you, you can jump right in. But don’t hesitate to meet with multiple Implementers until you find the right fit.
Do I need an Implementer who specializes in my industry?
No, industry specialization doesn’t matter. The Implementer’s job is to be an expert at EOS implementation, not an expert in your field. The answers you need will come from your team — the implementer guides the process.
Should I wait until I have a Visionary/Integrator structure before starting EOS?
No, don’t wait. Implementers can help you identify if someone on your current team could fill these roles, or help you determine what to look for when you’re ready to hire.
What if I tried EOS before and didn’t like it?
Consider why the experience didn’t work — was it the implementer, lack of team commitment, or misunderstanding of the process? If it was the implementer, it’s worth trying again with someone new. Just make sure your team is fully committed this time.
Is virtual implementation as effective as in-person?
Both can work well. If you’re typically a remote team, virtual implementation can be very effective with the right implementer. If you’re usually in-person, there are benefits to being together, including better ability to read the room and fewer distractions.
What’s the difference between self-implementation and working with an implementer?
Self-implementation can lead to misunderstanding the tools and processes, plus you miss out on the crucial accountability and outside perspective that an implementer provides. The investment in an implementer typically pays for itself through better, faster implementation.
That being said, if you decide to self-implement EOS® or just want to start exploring the tools, check out our EOS® self-implementation wiki. We’re here to support your EOS® journey, no matter the road you decide to take!