Taking the Leap in 2011

The New Year is a natural event to help us reflect, change and set new goals. At EOS, we have been reflecting and incorporating those new changes into our goals for 2011. Last November marked the 5th year anniversary for EOS. Five years is a crucial turning point for small businesses and the goddesses are excited to take EOS to the next level in 2011.

As I sat in a brainstorming session with the team, excited by all of the talk of change and growth we wanted to achieve in 2011, I thought back to a book I read in college, Good to Great by Jim Collins.  An extremely beneficial book for any young professional to read, I want to share what I learned.

Jim Collins and his research team compare and contrast 28 companies in a five year research experiment. The team identified the companies that took the leap from good to great, and compared them to companies that either failed to make the leap, or failed to sustain it. The comparisons of the success and failures of the different companies make it relatively easy to understand the importance of a company’s management structure.

Collins describes a successful buildup as getting the right people, in the right positions and then deciding on a plan of action. He acknowledges that although people are an important asset to the company, the Right People are the Crucial Factors in becoming great. Margaret and Susan have used their experience and knowledge to compile a management team with multiple competencies who work together to bring success to their clients as well as to EOS. Working in an integrated agency, we give our perspectives on projects that help create well-rounded campaigns that show results for our clients. By flattening the hierarchy but not completely disregarding it, the goddesses are able to effectively combine related tasks and get rid of irrelevant ones.

After reading Good to Great, I have a better understanding of the importance of a company’s management structure and how each system can work differently for individual companies. As a young goddess, it is important that I understand EOS inside and out. Good to Great stresses the important relationship between effective management strategies and good public relations practices. EOS embraces this relationship and I have seen first-hand just how successful it can be.

Our team at EOS is full of passionate and independent women, all with different experiences that offer insights into one another’s lives. This momentum keeps us engaged–we are constantly learning from each other in every aspect.  Jim Collins says that “For, in the end, it is impossible to have a great life unless it is a meaningful life. And it is very difficult to have a meaningful life without meaningful work.” I agree—it’s great to have meaning and to make a difference for the clients we have the opportunity to serve.

4 Comments

• By toasty redhead, May 14, 2011 @ 2:16 am

  I never thought of it that way, well put!
• By toasty redhead, May 14, 2011 @ 6:04 pm

  Right on!
• By toasty redhead, May 14, 2011 @ 8:01 pm

  I agree 100%

Other Links to this Post

1. Taking the Leap in 2011 | eos blog | Jim Collins: Author — January 25, 2011 @ 11:41 pm

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