Why Your Business Already Has a BOS (and What to Do About It)

I’ve been an entrepreneur for most of my life. I’ve launched startups, run companies, and coached dozens of organizations—and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: every business has an operating system, whether they realize it or not.

And here’s the kicker—most businesses are running on an unintentional BOS. It’s clunky, inconsistent, and leaves people feeling frustrated and stuck. The problem isn’t that you don’t have a system. It’s that the system you have isn’t working for you.

When I first picked up Traction in 2019, I had one of those “oh no” moments. I thought I was doing pretty well running my business, but the book made me realize something huge: there are simple, foundational things businesses either do well or don’t—and those things determine whether a company thrives or just survives.

So, let’s dive into why a Business Operating System (BOS) is essential for growth—and why making it your own is the secret sauce.

1. Your BOS Already Exists (Even If It’s a Mess)

Every organization, from Fortune 500 companies to school booster clubs, has systems, processes, and people. But the difference between a thriving organization and one that struggles comes down to intentionality.

Think of your BOS like riding a bike. You can’t pedal faster or lead a peloton until everyone on your team knows how to ride—and most companies throw people on the bike without teaching them the basics. A strong BOS isn’t optional if you want everyone moving forward together.

2. Structure + Alignment = Scalability

Without structure, it’s chaos. Without alignment, you’re pedaling in circles.

A healthy BOS ensures that every person, process, and priority is aligned. It’s not about adding more meetings or creating endless rules—it’s about simplifying, streamlining, and focusing on what really matters.

Yes, there’s noise today about “meetings being useless,” and I get it. Most meetings do suck because they’re poorly run. But with a clear BOS, meetings transform into productive, energizing checkpoints that drive progress.

3. The Power of Agreements and Consistency

Here’s the truth: high-performing organizations don’t wing it. They have non-negotiables—core values, clear strategies, and processes everyone agrees on.

But those agreements don’t stifle creativity; they unleash it. When your team knows the rules of the game, they can stop second-guessing and start excelling.

That’s why at Top Teams, we don’t just adopt BOS frameworks like EOS or Scaling Up—we customize your BOS, because it’s your roadmap to success, not a one-size-fits-all solution.

4. Why Most Companies Stop at “Decent”

Here’s the hard truth: most companies who work on their BOS get stuck halfway.

They might read a book like Traction, Business Made Simple, eMyth, or Scaling Up; hire a coach, or implement some processes—but they don’t see the full transformation. Why? Because rolling out a BOS across the entire organization is hard. It’s not just for the senior team; it’s for everyone.

Less than 5% of companies achieve the kind of full-scale rollout that leads to true scalability, trust, and team alignment. But when they do, the results are undeniable:

• Teams that work together seamlessly.

• Leaders who trust (and delegate to) their teams.

• Companies that go from “stuck” to scaling.

5. Your BOS Should Fit You Like a Glove

In Top Teams, we focus on the 7 Building Blocks of a BOS—Strategy, Impact, Teams, Flow, Focus, Data, and Growth—and we go deeper to address gaps most systems overlook.

The result? A BOS that’s not just functional, but transformational. It fits your organization, your culture, and your goals.

And when it works, you’ll feel it:

• Meetings that run like clockwork.

• Teams that trust and respect one another.

• Progress you can see, measure, and celebrate.

The Takeaway

Every business has a BOS. The question is: is yours working for you—or against you?

A strong BOS isn’t about copying a framework; it’s about creating a system that reflects your vision and aligns your team. When done right, it’s not just a tool for growth—it’s a catalyst for transformation.

If you’re ready to assess where your BOS stands, keep an eye out for my new BOS assessment tool. And if you’re curious about how platforms like Ninety can help you strengthen your BOS, start your free trial here—and let’s build something extraordinary.