Implementing EOS® in Larger Companies – Enjoying 23% more to your bottom line.

For larger companies, implementing EOS® without a clear starting point can cause more harm than good. It’s like navigating a dense forest filled with bear traps— The risks are real, but so too are the rewards, i.e. a 23% increase in your bottom line, provided the approach is thoughtful and adaptive.

Avoiding these traps and helping you create the rewards is what I do, feel free to connect with me directly walt@waltbrown.co or. Walt at Linkedin 

(Perspective note: I am not practicing on you.  I am the third EOS Implementer and have helped 187 companies install EOS since 2008 and many of these companies have been larger, outside of the “EOS target market” – be sure to see a partial list below.)

EOS and the dangers with larger companies.

My process starts with a simple, painless assessment that gives you a marker, a # measuring the effectiveness of your current OOS (organizational operating system) to drive profit.

We are assessing your current system’s ability to meet seven critical needs.

The purpose of an OOS like EOS®, Pinnacle™, Scaling Up®, System and Soul™… is to harness and direct the energy of the organization i.e. your people.

The tools of a complete OOS will enable your people to stay positively aligned with their seven critical needs. To Belong, To Believe, To be Accountable, To be Measured, To be Heard, To be Developed and To be Balanced… the best systems leave no gaps.

“What gets measured, gets done.”

So, to discover your gaps and to know where to focus, you administer the BITE7 Survey, a 7 question survey to find out exactly where your current tools are falling short = simple, easy.

Leveraging Existing Strengths: The often overlooked hidden value of a Legacy Operating System

Established organizations bring a wealth of expertise and experience, built upon years of refining their own organizational operating systems (OOS) and methodologies. These systems, often unnamed but deeply embedded, are the backbone of the company’s success. Ignoring this treasure trove of tools and practices isn’t just a missed opportunity—it’s a disservice to the company’s hard-earned progress.

EOS, on the other hand, excels in empowering leaders of smaller organizations (10 to 150 employees) with streamlined tools to simplify and align their operations. In these cases, the CEO often spearheads the process, leveraging a centralized decision-making structure for swift implementation.

Why Larger Companies Are Different

In larger organizations, the dynamics shift. Established systems, tools, and strategic methodologies guide decision-making. These companies didn’t grow by chance; they have functional frameworks that deliver results. Implementing EOS in this context requires a nuanced approach.

A rigid, one-size-fits-all application of EOS can inadvertently discard what already works—“throwing the baby out with the bathwater.” Instead, the process should build upon existing strengths, integrating EOS tools where they add value and retaining elements of the current OOS that continue to serve the organization effectively.

we don't need to throw the existing oos out with the bathwater

A Roadmap for Success

In my experience leading over 187 EOS implementations and advising hundreds more, the most successful engagements begin with a clear assessment. My large clients first evaluate where they stand through a 7-question BITE survey—measuring Buy-in, Inclusion, Trust, and Engagement.

This survey provides insights into the seven critical workforce needs:

  1. To Belong
  2. To Believe
  3. To be Accountabile
  4. To be Measured
  5. To be Heard
  6. To be Developed
  7. To be Balanced

Most companies start with a BITE Index™ of 42 to 62. The results help identify areas of strength and gaps to address. This diagnostic process also involves a full inventory of existing OOS tools and processes. EOS tools are introduced only when they demonstrably enhance or fill gaps within the current framework. Our goal is a BITE Index of 80+ – each point move in your index typically translates to your bottom line.

The Role of the Flexible EOS Implementer

In large organizations, the EOS Implementer must embrace flexibility and partnership, transforming the implementation process into a collaborative journey. Key elements of this role include:

1. Collaborating Across the Organization

Engaging all stakeholders to map a shared vision of success and chart a clear, actionable path forward.

2. Preserving What Works

Recognizing the value of the existing OOS and integrating EOS tools to enhance, not replace, proven systems.

3. Tailoring Solutions

Understanding when alternative tools or methods may achieve the same goals, avoiding rigid adherence to the EOS framework when it’s counterproductive.

4. Financial Fluency

Navigating the complexities of large, often PE-backed organizations requires advanced financial expertise, ensuring changes align with business objectives and financial realities.

5. Driving BITE through Engagement

Understanding how changes in the operating system impact Buy-in, Inclusion, Trust, and Engagement is critical. Ensuring alignment with these principles fosters a motivated and cohesive workforce.

Embracing the Hybrid Approach

In larger organizations, success lies in collaboration and adaptability. The goal is to create a unified operating system that combines the best of EOS with the proven elements of the company’s existing framework.

By doing so, the organization retains its strengths, enhances its capabilities, and moves forward with clarity and purpose. In this hybrid model, we ensure that the baby stays firmly in the tub—ready to grow stronger and thrive.

Benchmark your company’s potential to drive more profit.

Our process is designed to ensure clarity and confidence at every stage. Here’s how it works:

Contact me via email walt@waltbrown.co and we will have:

  1. The Initial Phone Call
    We begin with a call where we talk about what you have going on, figure out if you are a good fit, then if you are, I will walk you through the survey and assessment process, step by step, answering any questions you may have.
  2. Benchmark your potenential – Administer the BITE7 Survey
    If you choose to proceed, we conduct the BITE7 Survey, which provides a BITE Index to show your profit improvement potential and valuable insights into your organization’s Buy-in, Inclusion, Trust, and Engagement across the seven critical workforce needs.
  3. Debrief and Develop a Roadmap 
    Next, we hold a debrief meeting to review the survey results and map your existing Organizational Operating System (OOS) tools to these insights. This collaborative session lays the groundwork for your tailored implementation roadmap.
  4. An informed Decision Point
    With the plan in hand, you decide whether it’s the right path for your organization. You have the freedom to stop or proceed—no pressure, just what’s best for you.

*The initial assessment is free, allowing you to explore this process risk-free and discover how it can drive meaningful change for your organization.

500+ employee graduated clients

Walker Auto and Truck

Bob Barker Co

Baker Roofing

Southern Industrial Constructors

Care South

Certipay

Control Southern

Hiester Automotive

ECVC

LC Industries

Brady Trane

Sandia National Laboratory

ORNL – Biological and Environmental Systems Science

ORNL – Computing and Computational Sciences

McGreat – Great Clips

AJT – Aqua Tots

etc.