Upgrading EOS Rocks with the Quarterly Theme

Welcome back to the Business Builder newsletter! I’m excited to resume the Business Builder series.

In today’s issue, I’ll be breaking down how to elevate your EOS quarterly planning by introducing the Quarterly Theme from Verne Harnish’s Scaling Up method.

Estimated read time: 3 minutes.

Upgrading EOS Rocks to a Quarterly Theme in Scaling Up

As your business evolves, so should your approach to planning and growth. By transitioning from EOS to Verne Harnish’s Scaling Up method, you can take your quarterly planning to the next level.

“Goals” and “tasks” don’t have to be serious all the time. When they’re fun and competitive, you’re much more likely to achieve them—especially when working together.

A fun, engaging Quarterly Theme sets clear priorities and unifies your team around a common goal.

Creating a Winning Quarterly Theme:

The One-Page Strategic Plan (OPSP) is a simple yet powerful tool in Scaling Up that helps keep your team aligned and focused—much like the V/TO from EOS. (Gino Wickman actually took the idea from Scaling Up.)

Here’s how you can create a fun, effective Quarterly Theme:

1. Brainstorm theme names: Come up with three or more potential theme names based on the “Main Thing” for the quarter. For example, "Fast & Furious" could be a good fit if speed and efficiency are your focus, or "Life Begins at 40" if you’re aiming for a big revenue milestone.

2. Engage the entire team: There’s no room for wallflowers when it comes to implementing a quarterly theme. If you want to bolster morale and reach your goal together, you’ve got to have full participation.

3. Plan a fun, theme-related celebration: When you hit (or miss) your target goal, the Quarterly Theme gives you a great reason to host an event to either celebrate a big achievement or commiserate.

Rewarding Your Team for Success

Any good challenge deserves a reward when achieved. Sure, bragging rights are fun, but people love to celebrate success. Decide on a fun reward to motivate team members through the tough times and celebrate together at the finish line.

This could be as simple as a barbecue in the parking lot or as exciting as a significant team trip. It’s even more fun if you pick a celebration destination that aligns with your theme (like a go-karting event for a "Fast & Furious" theme).

The truth is, if your employees aren’t growing and developing (individually and together), you’re not getting their best—in or out of the workplace. The more you invest in your employees, the more returns you’ll see in productivity and company loyalty.

I’ll keep sharing actionable insights on growing your business with the Scaling Up method.

Stay tuned.