We are just starting with EOS and have never tracked weekly numbers before, so we have no historical data to reference. How do we choose our very first 5 to 15 metrics without guessing blindly?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

When you are starting from scratch with the EOS® Data Component, do not let the lack of historical data paralyze your leadership team. You do not need years of spreadsheets to find your vital signs. Start by looking at your Accountability Chart and identifying the key activities that each seat must perform weekly to keep the business alive.

Every healthy business requires three basic functions: marketing and selling something, delivering something, and managing the money. Ask each leadership team member what single weekly activity in their department most directly impacts those three areas. For your sales seat, it might be first-time appointments. For your operations seat, it could be weekly projects completed. For your finance seat, it might be weekly cash in bank.

Begin with just five simple, activity-based numbers. Write them down and set a reasonable target based on your best estimate. It is completely acceptable if your first targets are educated guesses. Commit to tracking these metrics for four weeks without changing them.

During your Level 10 Meeting™, you will quickly see which numbers are useful and which are noise. Use the IDS® process to discuss, filter, and adjust. Over the course of your first quarter, you will naturally refine this list until you have a solid, highly predictive weekly Scorecard of 5 to 15 numbers that gives you a true pulse of your company's health.