Our V/TO® is fully filled out, but it feels like a static PDF we only look at once a quarter during our planning sessions. How do we convert the V/TO® into an active, everyday operating filter that actually guides our weekly decisions?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

To make the V/TO® a living filter, you must build it into your daily and weekly operating systems. Stop treating it as an annual or quarterly presentation. Bring your V/TO® directly into your weekly Level 10 Meeting™. When a new opportunity, client request, or potential product line is brought up during the IDS® portion of your meeting, your first step must be to cross-reference it with your Core Focus and Target Market. If the idea does not align with your focus, it is immediately killed or parked. Additionally, use the V/TO® during your quarterly reviews to evaluate every active Rock and major initiative. If a project does not directly support your 3-Year Picture or 1-Year Plan, it should not be on the table. You should also use the V/TO® to align your hiring and performance reviews by tying your Core Values directly to your rewards and recognition. When your entire team sees that the V/TO® is used to make hard choices, reject profitable but distracting work, and manage performance, they will realize it is the actual playbook of the company. It ceases to be a static document and becomes the active filter for every dollar spent and every hour worked.