EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System) is a framework designed to help $1 million+ businesses run more efficiently. It covers all the major components required for running a business professionally. This includes people management, forming the right organizational structure, aligning the team under a clear strategy, and executing systems. An EOS Implementer is an external consultant or coach hired to help organizations adopt the EOS system.

Certified EOS Implementers in the EOS franchise receive appropriate training and act as official representatives of EOS. They follow the "EOS process" and usually conduct full-day sessions. These sessions are with the leadership team once a month (in the beginning) and quarterly after an initial period. By using a managerial system like EOS, businesses mature and become more focused, decisive, and proactive.

Like an EOS Implementer, a Fractional Partner also works on building a stronger business and maturing the operation. Similar to an EOS implementer, a Fractional Partner implements a holistic business operating system. In the Fractional Partners case – it’s called The Clarity Framework. This framework was designed to give business owners maximum clarity in three key areas of their businesses: finance, strategy, and operations, so they can gain clarity while increasing profits.

A fractional partner professionalizes the business through this framework in a few different ways. This usually starts with cleaning the organizational structure, developing systems and SOPs, developing the growth strategy, and ensuring professional execution, all through a clear, methodological approach rooted and grounded in getting extreme clarity.

There are a few key differences between the two though. A Fractional Partner takes a greater hands-on approach to helping your business optimize for profits. Additionally, a fractional partner participates in the process, rather than simply facilitating. They become a part of the leadership team to help you answer questions and develop the growth strategy.

A fractional partner is more hands-on. You’ll get significantly more face time with meetings, at least twice weekly compared to once a month or a quarter.

In this article, we will explore the roles and responsibilities of a Certified EOS Implementer. While EOS Implementers are an excellent option for some businesses, they may not be the right choice for others. Continue reading to learn if you should engage with a Fractional Partner to help your business scale and grow.

How do certified EOS Implementers help businesses grow?

The primary objective of certified EOS implementers is to educate businesses. This starts with the leadership team and how to use the EOS framework. They achieve this by:

Facilitating sessions to gain clarity, alignment and solve issues

An EOS Implementer serves as an external facilitator. They guide the team in engaging discussions to achieve alignment and resolve issues professionally.

These sessions are typically highly structured full-day sessions that cover various aspects of the business. Things like developing the vision, building the correct organizational chart, solving issues, and creating an environment of clarity and accountability. It’s not like the “business coaching” program’s you see.

Teaching the leadership team how to use the EOS Toolbox™

The role of the EOS Implementer is to teach the business. They show the leadership team how to use these practical tools and put the methodology into execution mode. The EOS system consists of six components, each holistically designed to address key aspects of a business. Each component requires different tools and aids for implementation.

For example, EOS utilizes a practical tool called "The Accountability Chart™". It creates the appropriate structure for the business and it cleans and organizes the org chart. The  "The Accountability Chart™" and many other tools help the implementer (and the business) connect the different components and bring the framework to reality.

Holding the team accountable from session to session

A significant aspect of an EOS Implementer's role is providing external accountability. Business owners typically need someone to hold them accountable. Having an external facilitator fulfill this role is valuable for a few reasons.

EOS Implementers also ensure that the organization learns to hold everyone accountable for their actions. You achieve accountability by clearly defining roles, goals, and expectations. It's also important to make sure that every employee within the organization has and understands their expectations.

How is EOS implemented?

EOS Implementers follow the EOS process. After an initial 90-minute meeting, the Implementer will meet the team for a full Focus Day. Focus Days introduce basic tools and establish foundational execution systems. The team will clean the org chart, set the first quarterly plan, and develop forward-looking metrics to track progress during Focus Day.

After 30 days, the group will meet again for Vision Building Day 1 to address the rough strategy and vision. A second Vision Building Day usually occurs 30 days later.

This allows the team to answer more basic strategic questions, known as “The 8 Questions.” The group will explore and answer a couple different questions. Things like 'Who’s the ideal customer?' and 'What are our differentiation points?’.

After outlining the basic systems and rough strategy during Vision Building Days, the EOS Implementer will meet with the group once a quarter. This is for a Quarterly Planning Session Day, and once a year for a two-day Annual Planning Session. Overall, the business will meet with the Implementer once a month during the first quarter and once every 90 days after that.

Businesses typically 'graduate' after 2-3 years. Graduation means that the business can run its planning sessions. They can address their issues without the facilitation of an external Implementer.

Why EOS Implementers aren’t the best option for growth stage businesses

Professional EOS implementers provide a lot of value and are generally positive. However, it's important to note that the EOS model may not be suitable for every type of business. Usually, those in the $1-5M stage that are also looking to grow and scale don’t fit. Here's why:

They’re facilitators, not participators

A professional EOS implementer facilitates but does not participate. Their role is to help the team figure out how to develop their own strategy and decisions. It’s not to actually develop the business strategy or make decisions. They actively refrain from sharing their opinions.

While this may sound good, more is needed to solve the root problem. Many small businesses lack the experience or skillset required to make the right strategic decisions. It’s either that or they do not have a professional staff to make those decisions. The system will help them focus and enhance decision-making, but it won’t help them prioritize the right decisions.

This approach may be too hands-off to satisfy most founders

Based on my own experience, I have found that this level of contact is not enough to have the strongest impact. An EOS Implementer will provide a full-day session once a month for the first quarter. A quarterly session follows afterward.

A full 8-hour session can overwhelm a team, with diminishing returns often occurring after just 4 hours. Interacting once every 30/90 days isn't hands-on enough. Ensure the team uses the tools and procedures correctly.

Many times, owners find themselves "figuring it out as they go”. What happens when you do this? Subpar execution and a lot of frustration.

I’ve implemented the EOS framework many times over. I worked with it so much in my experience as an Entrepreneur in Residence at a venture capital firm. What I found is that simply providing the system to the team wasn’t enough. Founders needed a lot of help. Especially with using the new system daily as well as actively participating in discussions themselves.

Forced only to use the EOS framework and tools

An EOS implementer is often considered a "purist." This means that they adhere strictly to the EOS framework and methodology without deviating from it. However, this approach may be limiting.

By forcing the team to use only EOS tools, it assumes a “one-size-fits-all” approach. It is rarely the case that one cookie cutter solution can fit all your probelms. Many other tools can help businesses with specific challenges. These are tools that an EOS implementer may not be aware of or may not share with the business.

Unfocused growth strategy

EOS is a business framework, not a strategic one. The "strategy" page (i.e., the "vision" section) contains only eight questions, focusing on basic aspects of the strategy such as the ideal customer profile, differentiation, and guarantee. This is not sufficient for business growth as it only aligns the whole business around a shared vision and not a growth strategy.

In contrast, at Fractional Partners, we use our Strategic Clarity Canvas that enables us to ask more in-depth questions and fills strategic gaps left by EOS.

Click here for a side-by-side comparison of the Strategic Clarity Canvas vs Vision Tractional Organizer

EOS implementers are strategists who are professional in implementing the framework. To address the gap in strategy, they refer businesses to other tactical professionals who specialize in specific strategic challenges. People like marketing and sales consultants.

How much does an EOS Implementer cost?

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EOS implementers charge by the session, with fees differing by the experience level of each implementer.

• A Professional EOS Implementer® (just started) charges an average of $4,500 per session.
• A Certified EOS Implementer® (worked with at least 10 clients) charges an average of $5,200 per session.
• An Expert EOS Implementer™ (completed 500 sessions) charges an average of $6,600 per session.

During the first year following the EOS implementation process, a business can expect to have 8 full-day sessions. Here is the breakdown:

• First 90 days (Q1): First meeting (free), Focus day, Vision Building Day 1, Vision Building Day 2, and First Quarterly Planning Day - 4 sessions ($18k-$26.4k)
• Q2-Q3: Quarterly Planning Day - 2 sessions ($9k-$13.2k)
• Q4: 2 Annual Planning Days - 2 sessions ($9k-$13.2k)

Total cost for the first year: $36,000-$52,800.

After the first year, the business can expect to have 5 full-day sessions, ranging from $22,500 to $33,000.

For an average 36-month engagement, the business should plan to pay anywhere between $81,000 to $118,800 to the external implementer.

A Fractional Partner isn’t incentivized by fees

Unlike an EOS Implementer, a Fractional Partner is not interested in collecting consulting fees. Instead, the Fractional Business Partner model uses a "rent-me-before-you-buy-me" model that transfers into a profit-share once an official partnership relationship has been established.

• We start each engagement with a Free Clarity Call to see where your business is most in need of clarity and optimization.
• We then dive into your numbers by assessing the financial health of your business during a 2-week Financial Clarity Sprint. We do a deep dive into your revenue streams, understand your profits (and losses) and get super clear on your finances
• We then turn our attention to your overall business strategy during a 12-week Strategic Clarity Sprint to get a clear view of your winning business model so we can build the most profitable version of your business.
• At this point we've now spent more than a quarter working side by side both in and on your business. We are very selective with who we become full Fractional Partners with. The companies we end up partnering with get continued hands-on expertise as we join their team as a partner. We get paid through a profit-share--we get a percentage of the new profit generated together.
• For companies we don't continue to work with, we part ways as friends after completing two sprints and providing maximum clarity. The objective is not to "keep businesses on the hook”. Our objective is to deliver the greatest value in a few months, build trust, and convert into a real partnership

The most importance difference between an EOS Implementor and a Fractional Partner

By far, the most important difference is the level of participation. Fractional Partners are right there in the passenger's seat alongside you on your journey to extreme profits. They join your weekly leadership team, are involved in the day-to-day aspects of running your business and are fully in the loop.

Fractional Partners meet with you often, are much more readily available, give much more face time, and have a vested interest in your ongoing success. You will truly develop a real partnership, rather than a merely transactional short-term relationship.

To be clear, working together doesn't automatically begin at the Fractional Partner level. Like mentioned above, we have two to three engagements together running Clarity Sprints and other experiences to make sure we work well together before becoming full partners.

Once we are at that level however, Fractional Partners show up in big ways.

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• They are there at 10 PM when the website stops working and are able to help put out catastrophic fires--it's happened, and we are ready for it.
• They are there when it matters most seasonally to suggest strategies on how to approach sales and marketing (like how to be smart about approaching Black Friday deals to be strategic and not random or ad hoc). You'd be surprised how NOT intuitive this process is!
• They are there during ongoing quarterly (and monthly) planning sessions to make sure the strategy is continued to be followed effectively and correctly.
• They are there to be honest and real with you about the direction of your business. You're always still in the driver's seat--but you have someone in your corner for regular sanity checks so you can feel fully supported.

Quite simply, if you need a more hands-on partner, a Fractional Partner may be the best option for you

‍‍Get the right growth strategy with a Fractional Partner

Both EOS Implementers and Fractional Business Partners provide business operating systems. Fractional Business Partners take a more hands-on approach, though.

While EOS Implementers facilitate the implementation of the EOS system, Fractional Partners hyper-focus on optimizing the business for profit. A Fractional Partner excels in providing structure, participating in the process of developing a growth strategy and helping the team execute weekly. In addition, EOS Implementers charge by the session. Fractional Partners only take from revenue generated together in a profit-share. We have a vested interest in your success because our success depends on it.

If your business has a strong leadership team with a clear vision and an experienced founder who just needs a little bit more structure and efficiency, an EOS Implementer is the right choice and will provide a lot of value.

Does your business lack a strong team with an inexperienced founder? Do you want extreme clarity and to move forward strategically? Do you want to scale your small business into a powerhouse? If you’re thinking yes – a Fractional Partner is the better choice.

Fractional Partners will help you focus on building a leadership team. They’ll develop a growth strategy, implement systems, and help execute weekly from within.

Interested? Click here to learn more about what Fractional Partners can do for your small business.

^{Disclaimer and Trademarks}

^{I want to make it abundantly clear that EOS®, Professional EOS Implementer™, Certified EOS Implementer™, and Expect EOS Implementer™, as well as some other words mentioned in this article, are registered trademarks that belong to the EOS franchise. Fractional Partners has no association with EOS and does not offer EOS implementation services.}