What management methodologies/tools do you use?

by a professional from Harvard University - Harvard Business School

2 years ago

I'm referring to management methodologies like Traction/EOS, Scaling Up, 4 Disciplines of Execution, OKRs, etc. -- I'm not referring to tech platforms like Trello, Asana, Basecamp, etc.

For Operators: I'm curious if you use any of the above to run your business -- For Searchers: I'm curious if you look for companies that have already implemented any of the above

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searcher from Harvard University

The OKR methodology is a nice middle ground between aspirational vision and measurable daily activities. I further like that it doesn't pretend to be a framework of everything, just a "if we nail these 5 things at 75% we'll have a great year."

2 years ago | like reply | 0 likes

searcher from Harvard University - Harvard Business School

As Scott mentioned above, the best system is the one that you best stick to for the long haul. Most of those programs are 90% the same. The most successful businesses are ones who find one that they (mostly) all believe in and proceed to work the plan. The ones that have far less success are the ones where (usually) the owner or CEO reads a new book each quarter, gets super excited and forces everyone to read it, tries to get everyone to follow it, and then does it with a brand new model/book/article/idea the next quarter.

If you forced me to compare them, I’d say EOS is a simplified version Scaling Up and OKRs are more of an execution tool than a system to follow. If you buy a smaller company or less sophisticated business (one that’s never used a system like this before), EOS is probably a good place to start. If you are buying a bigger company, Scaling up is more strategic and flexible (which can be detrimental if your team isn’t ready for it yet). If there is significant resistance to any type of “system”, just start w/ some simple OKRs and evolve them as they’re ready.

Both EOS and Scaling Up have facilitators who I’ve heard are good. I’ve never used one (and most I’ve met aren’t worth the cost), but I’ve heard the best of them are excellent CEO coaches. I’d interview a few to learn about the system and their methodology, and then decide if the juice is worth the squeeze.

2 years ago | like reply | 0 likes

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