Author of People: Dare to Build an Intentional Culture & Data: Harness Your Numbers to Go From Uncertain to Unstoppable | Visionary and CEO at EOS Worldwide

Today I'm Visionary at EOS Worldwide. But full transparency: 

I've failed more than I've succeeded.

After starting my entrepreneurial journey at 29, I built and sold 9 companies for 7 figures, made the Inc. 5000 thirteen times, and earned Inc's Honor Roll. 

I also started businesses that completely tanked (landscaping, furniture, boot camps, HVAC, and yes, a 660-acre ranch in Wyoming).

The failures taught me more than the wins.

In one of my "successful" companies, we hit pure chaos:

- Nobody agreed where we were going
- Everyone stepped on everyone else
- We fought fires daily instead of building
- We'd set goals then ignore them
- We hit a ceiling and stayed stuck

I knew there had to be a better way to run a business.

That search led me here: 

Helping leadership teams implement EOS to get control of their business and their lives.

We strengthen 6 key components: 

Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction. 

Most companies run at 20-40% strength. 

We get them to 80%+ so entrepreneurs can have what they really want: freedom of time, money, relationships, and purpose.

Ready to get what you want from your business? Start here: https://bit.ly/47a5Nfj

Built a business and want to help others? Consider becoming an EOS Implementer: https://bit.ly/49kWB99

Mark O'Donnell

Great teams solve 5-10 issues per meeting.

Weak ones waste two hours and solve one.

So many teams will sit in the same room week after week,
Discuss the same issues,
But end up resolving nothing.

That's because talking about problems isn't the same as solving them.

In Traction, we discuss the 10 Commandments of Solving Issues.

Functional filters that healthy teams use to make decisions and move forward:

1️⃣ Thou Shalt Not Rule by Consensus
↳ Trying to please everyone makes progress hard.
↳ Make space for discussion, but appoint an owner to decide.

2️⃣ Thou Shalt Not Be a Weenie
↳ Avoiding tough decisions creates confusion.
↳ Say what needs to be said. It's better to be clear than liked.

3️⃣ Thou Shalt Be Decisive
↳ Indecision is a decision. And usually a bad one.
↳ Use what you know now. Make the best call you can, and adjust if needed.

4️⃣ Thou Shalt Not Rely on Secondhand Information
↳ Hearing something third-hand leads to bad choices.
↳ Go to the source. Always check facts before solving the wrong problem.

5️⃣ Thou Shalt Fight for the Greater Good
↳ Solve for what's best for the company, not egos.
↳ When in doubt, ask: what helps the business most right now?

6️⃣ Thou Shalt Not Try to Solve Them All
↳ Not every issue needs fixing now.
↳ Pick your top priorities. Work through the real ones, let the rest wait.

7️⃣ Thou Shalt Live with It, End It, or Change It
↳ You have 3 choices. Staying stuck isn't one of them.
↳ Accept it, fix it, or move on. Stalling helps no one.

8️⃣ Thou Shalt Choose Short-Term Pain and Suffering
↳ Avoiding discomfort only makes it worse.
↳ Have the hard talk. Deal with it now to avoid bigger pain later.

9️⃣ Thou Shalt Enter the Danger
↳ The real issue is usually the one no one wants to say.
↳ Name the elephant in the room. Be brave enough to say what others won't.

🔟 Thou Shalt Take a Shot
↳ No one knows everything. That's not the point.
↳ Trust your gut. Use what you know. Action beats perfection every time.

If your team is stuck rehashing the same issues,
It's not because the issues are too complex.

You're likely just not following a clear process to solve them.

These 10 Commandments are just one piece of the Issues Component in EOS.
The full breakdown is in Traction.

📌 Grab a copy here https://bit.ly/490hqqy

Do you need to revisit any one of these with your team?

♻️ Share this if you know a leader frustrated by unproductive meetings.
Follow me Mark O'Donnell for more on systems-based leadership.

Simple systems for stronger businesses and freer lives | Visionary and CEO at EOS Worldwide | Author of People: Dare to Build an Intentional Culture & Data​: Harness Your Numbers to Go From Uncertain to Unstoppable

 10 Commandments of Solving Issues

I believed every single one of these when I started.

Until EOS showed me what really works:

"Why does success feel this hard?" 

That's the question I kept asking myself early in my entrepreneurial journey.

We were winning by every outside measure, but I was exhausted.
My team was confused. And every new level of growth brought more chaos.

Turns out, I'd been believing 9 myths that made everything harder than it should be.

Discovering EOS completely reframed my understanding of a healthy business:

❌ "More hours = more success"
✅ More structure = more success 

Systems multiply your impact, and free you from the work you think only you can do.

❌ "Vision will take care of itself"
✅ Vision only works when it’s shared

Vision has to be documented and shared constantly so everyone is working towards the same goal.

❌ "I have to do everything myself"
✅ Right people, right seats = freedom

When people own outcomes instead of tasks, they solve problems you'll never even see.

❌ “Meetings are a waste of time”
✅ Effective meetings create alignment

90 minutes a week in a Level 10 Meeting builds more alignment than 10 hours of status updates.

❌ “We can grow through chaos”
✅ You can’t scale what isn’t organized

Predictable systems give you the confidence to grow without breaking everything you built.

❌ “Accountability means micromanagement”
✅ Accountability creates ownership

Scorecards turn guesswork into data. When people measure their own numbers, they manage their own performance.

❌ “Hiring fast solves problems”
✅ Hiring right solves problems

The People Analyzer keeps you honest about fit. Slow down the hire, speed up the results.

❌ “Every issue needs my input”
✅ Leaders solve root causes, not every symptom

Stop being the bottleneck. IDS trains your team to solve issues without waiting for you.

❌ “Traction happens by chance”
✅ Traction happens by design

Rocks turn 90 days into progress you can measure. Traction is the outcome of doing the right things consistently.

Structure doesn't slow you down.
In fact, it's the only thing that lets you speed up.

If you're stuck believing any of these, EOS can help. 

See if it's right for you: https://bit.ly/3X7GIeV

♻️ Share to help bust these common myths.
Follow me Mark O'Donnell for more on EOS & systems-based leadership.

9 Myths Entrepreneurs Believe

If it feels like your business is fighting back, it’s not just you.

The problem is one of five predictable frustrations:

If you're an entrepreneur, you've probably hit all five at some point.

I know I did.

After starting nine companies, selling a few, and watching a couple tank,
I started seeing a pattern.

Now, after two decades of helping leadership teams run EOS,
The frustrations come up everywhere.

But these aren't random. They point to something specific.

Something you can fix:

1. Lack of Control
↳ Your business is running you.
↳ You're buried in decisions and can't find time to think.

✅ EOS Fix: Get your vision onto paper. Build structure and be driven by purpose.

2. People Problems
↳ Your team isn't listening or following through.
↳ Deadlines are slipping and there's no ownership.

✅ EOS Fix: Create and assign clear roles. When everyone knows what they're responsible for and they share your core values, things start to click.

3. Not Enough Profit
↳ You're working hard, but the margin isn't there.
↳ Growth costs more than it gives back. Revenue doesn't equal reality.

✅ EOS Fix: Focus on the vital few. Track the right numbers. Simplify your business so you can actually grow it.

4. Hitting the Ceiling
↳ You're always busy, but not growing.
↳ Every new idea dies in execution.

✅ EOS Fix: Delegate. Build systems. Think in 90-day priorities that compound over time.

5. Nothing's Working
↳ You've tried books, consultants, programs... but nothing sticks.
↳ You've lost belief that change is even possible.

✅ EOS Fix: Stop chasing quick fixes. Start running an operating system that aligns your people, process and purpose.

Every entrepreneur comes across these five frustrations eventually.

The question isn't whether you'll face them.

It's whether you'll stay stuck or systemize your way through.

Ready to get what you want from your business?

Let's figure out where you are and where you're going:
https://bit.ly/3X7GIeV

What's one frustration you're in right now?

♻️ Share this to help another entrepreneur out of these problems.
Follow me Mark O'Donnell for more on building systems-based businesses.

Next Chapter In My Journey

Retired

Kessenich's Ltd.

Kessenich’s, a division of Great Lakes Hotel Supply (also known as Great Lakes Ventures), is a trusted partner for comprehensive foodservice equipment solutions. With over 95 years of experience serving Dane County, Wisconsin, and now extending our reach across the country.

Our award-winning Culinary Design team excels in creating customized designs for kitchens of all sizes, whether for sole operators, large institutions, chains, or foodservice consultants. We also provide project management, interior design services, and a renowned retail showroom to ensure a complete and personalized experience for our clients.

At Kessenich’s, "Your Vision Is Our Mission!" We are big enough to matter and small enough to care, offering total package solutions that meet the unique needs of each customer.

Here's a part of our journey..........
•	Developing and implementing marketing initiatives to support sustainable business growth.
•	Establishing and strengthening partnerships with customers, manufacturers, subcontractors, and the Kessenich’s team, leveraging Great Lakes Ventures’ market position.
•	Leading the rebranding of Kessenich’s as a division of Great Lakes Ventures, highlighting the purchasing power of the combined businesses.
•	Expanding the sales team size and enhancing operational roles focused on resolving customer pain points to enable clients to prioritize their customers.
•	Transforming a 10,000 sq. ft. showroom into a conceptual space that serves as a customer showcase for commercial sales, manufacturing representatives, and local consumers.
•	Driving operational excellence to improve margins and elevate customer satisfaction across the organization.
•	Broadening product offerings to include design and build services, furniture, and smallwares, providing comprehensive solutions for customers.
•	Leveraging the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) as Integrator to promote clarity, accountability, and organizational alignment.

President  COO  EOS Integrator

Restaurant Technologies

Operations Leader

At Restaurant Technologies we have 25 years of experience providing advanced kitchen automation services to some of the most recognized brands in the foodservice industry. Headquartered near Minneapolis, Minnesota, we have 41 facility locations, covering over 46 metropolitan markets, we have over 1,200 employees serving 37,000+ customers nationwide.

Our logo, and brand colors may have changed over the years, but our bottom line remains the same: We deliver safer, smarter, sustainable kitchen operations with the flip of a switch.  
Control the Kitchen Chaos with automated solutions to the hardest jobs in the kitchen.

General Manager

The Society for Service Executives

The Society for Service Executives (SSE) is dedicated to empowering current and future executives in navigating the complexities and opportunities of technical service and support for both hardware and software products. This strategic function is critical to driving customer satisfaction and ensuring profitable business performance.

As a member of the Board of Directors at SSE, I contribute to shaping the organization's vision and strategy, ensuring it serves as a premier resource for service executives. SSE provides access to cutting-edge research, partner programs, and a robust network of industry professionals. Through local and national conferences, vendor resources, and strategic information, SSE equips service leaders with the tools and insights needed to excel in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Advisory Board Member

International Thermal Systems LLC

Reporting to the President and Board of Directors, and as a core member of the executive team, I hold P&L responsibility for the general management and oversight of all global operations. My role encompasses the creation and execution of the company’s short- and long-term strategic business plans. Through both established and new initiatives, continuous improvement processes, and key performance metrics, I ensure that all projects are completed within budgetary and timeline constraints, while upholding the highest standards of integrity, quality, and customer focus.

International Thermal Systems (ITS) is a global leader in providing customized solutions for industrial process ovens, furnaces, washers, and lead-acid battery systems. Our expertise spans various industries, including automotive, aerospace, power generation, battery manufacturing, building products, foundry, and metal packaging.

Headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, with offices in Europe and Asia, ITS has installed thousands of thermal processing systems in manufacturing facilities worldwide. As an OEM, we pride ourselves on our world-class R&D team, partnering with our clients to deliver high-quality, reliable solutions. In addition to manufacturing, we offer comprehensive engineering, sales, distribution, and global customer support services, including OEM replacement parts, to ensure your equipment operates to original specifications.

At ITS, we are more than just a supplier—we are your business partner, dedicated to supporting you in meeting your customers' needs.

General Manager / Global Operations

Caljan Rite-Hite

As a key member of the executive team, reporting directly to the President/Managing Director, I am responsible for the P&L of North American operations. My role includes developing and executing both short- and long-term strategic plans, fostering collaboration across the organization to drive sales opportunities, and cultivating strong relationships with both existing and new customers. This focus on solution selling and operational excellence ensures sustainable, profitable business growth.

I lead a dynamic, multidisciplinary team and work closely with strategic business partners to consistently exceed customer satisfaction and achieve company goals. My areas of responsibility span Sales, Marketing, Finance, Engineering, Human Resources, Operations, Customer Service, Service, Parts, Procurement, and Manufacturing.

Our team has successfully secured long-term partnerships and delivered high-quality, reliable Telescopic Conveyors, Automated Conveyor & Labeling Systems, and 24/7 Conveyor Services to leading parcel carriers and distributors such as DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, the U.S. Government, Amazon, Swisslog, Tire Rack and more.

Rite-Hite, headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, is a global leader in the development, manufacturing, and sale of loading dock safety systems, industrial door solutions, in-plant products, and telescopic conveyors. Our products are designed to maximize safety, productivity, efficiency, and energy cost savings for our customers.

General Manager / Managing Director North America

Morris Group, Inc.

Morris Group supplies high-performance CNC machines, tooling, accessories, and comprehensive engineering and support services to manufacturers of precision-machined parts across all industry sectors. Our mission is to help manufacturers maintain a competitive edge by improving productivity through Lights Out Manufacturing and advanced data information systems.

Reporting to the President and Board of Directors, and as a core member of the executive team, I hold P&L responsibility for the general management and oversight of all operations. This includes the creation and execution of the company’s short- and long-term strategic business plans. I lead initiatives focused on continuous improvement, utilizing key performance metrics to ensure that all projects meet budgetary and timeline constraints while adhering to the highest standards of integrity, quality, and customer focus. My functional responsibilities span Sales, Marketing, Finance, Engineering, Human Resources, Operations, Customer Service, Service, Parts, and Procurement.

Key Achievements:

•	Enhanced Customer Loyalty: Cultivated a customer-centric culture, driving loyalty through exceptional experiences and execution.
•	Increased Recurring Revenue: Developed customer-based solutions that boosted recurring revenue streams and improved margins.
•	Operational Efficiency Gains: Streamlined operations by clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and KPIs, leading to improved efficiency.
•	CRM Optimization: Enhanced CRM usage to improve sales funnel execution, forecasting, profitability, and reporting.
•	Strategic OEM Partnerships: Collaborated with OEMs on product, service, engineering, and pricing solutions, focusing on life-cycle management. Served as a member of the OEM advisory committee.
•	Strengthened Brand Presence: Led the social media strategy to elevate the Morris brand.

Chief Operating Officer / VP Business Development

Service Growth Strategies

Providing wing-to-wing consultative services to mid-size companies focused on improving P&L performance, identifying growth opportunities in both product and aftersales, building brand awareness, SWOT analysis, social media strategy, customer satisfaction and retention, team capability assessment / building / resource planning/ mentoring, quality, process improvements, developing marketing strategies, competitive and product offering assessments, IT solutions, service strategy, supply chain strategies, aftersales strategy, business / marketing plan strategy including product extensions, new product offerings, introduction, and execution, etc.

• Retail store analysis identifying product positioning, sales volume, profits, pricing, supplier pricing, segmentation, square foot margin, define employee roles and responsibilities, etc
• Drive customer satisfaction through improved workmanship quality and relationship building resulting in improved profitability and repeat sales and positive word-of-mouth advertising
• Improve sales volume by driving customer volume maximizing seat availability versus occupied metric.  Results in increase accessory sales & margins and partnership satisfaction.
• Provided IT solution driving standardized software platform, network printing, centralized sourcing, and training resulting in immediate cost savings, improved efficiencies, and employee satisfaction.

President

GE Healthcare

Held key operational leadership roles that are defined within my profile experience below.   Focused on collaborative cross-functional team building, driving sustainable profitable growth, delivering unique customer experience driving brand awareness, operational excellence to support growth, and full P&L responsibility.

While @ GE - Held various leadership roles in key functional disciplines with P&L responsibilities

Managed direct staff of 8 with over 220 indirect team members and $135m sales revenue.   Responsible for day to day operations that included service delivery, new product introductions, phase in – phase out inventory planning, life cycle management, install base product management, training certification, quality improvement, achieving variable cost productivity targets, analysis and improving applied material / labor warranty utilization, establishing operational metrics and reporting, identifying and driving lean process improvements, coordinate business report outs and team meetings.

•	Improved operational efficiency 25% creating bandwidth to support increased growth
•       Implemented "Cost of Ownership" initiative
•	Implemented cost reduction strategy achieving 11% cost targets with sustained processes
•	Initiated lean process improvements resulting in improving customer satisfaction, improving field engineer utilization by 10% and revenue cash flow
•	Established KPI (Key Performance Indicators) and reporting tools delivering timely, accurate data

Director of Service Operations

Managed direct staff of 3 and 45 indirect team members supporting sales team of 10 and $110m sales revenue.   Responsible  for wing-to-wing sales delivery including sales process, sales linearity, sales revenue / contribution margin predictability,  legal controllership order / process review, order fulfillment focused on ship complete on-time, distribution, inventory planning of new, demonstration, re-manufactured, accessory equipment, sales territory alignment, customer backlog execution, customer satisfaction utilizing net promoter score (NPS)  obsolescence inventory controls, variable cost productivity savings,  team training, and quality metrics.

•	Achieved 98% OPSI  planning resulting in delivery of medical systems to support customer demands
•	Reduced inventory by 45% resulting in improved turns and reallocation of asset dollars
•	Implemented legal / controllership order review strategy, execution plan, and communications
•	Created and implemented operational training program for peers new to the organization
•      Received 2 Performance Awards

Commercial Sales Operations Leader

Managed staff of 5 and $450m sales revenue / $200m of spend budget.   Responsible for order fulfillment and inventory readiness, new product introductions (NPI), supplier certification and vitality, global sourcing and distribution strategy, variable cost productivity targets, lean operational improvements.

•	Introduced 17 NPI’s resulting in on-time market introductions providing solutions to customer needs
•	Achieved $10m in VCP by identifying low cost country supplier base and distribution
•	Implemented “parts at risk” inventory tool improving parts fulfillment by 15%
•	Created and executed ROWS & WEEE component content strategy with global supplier base
•      Received 1 Performance Awards

Global Supply Chain / Fulfillment Leader

Manage staff of 11 and $500m in sales revenue.   Responsible for team resource and training, sales process, order fulfillment, distribution, inventory planning of new, demonstration, re-manufactured, accessory equipment, customer backlog execution, process improvements focused on order quality and inventory management.

•	Business reporting driving rigor, predictability, accuracy, timely delivery, and accountability
•	Drove global order fulfillment through make centers with cross-functional teams
•	Implemented sales CRM tool and ERP oracle system, established SOP and training program
•	Drove lean process improvements around order management and fulfillment
•	Drove six sigma green belt team certification projects 22 with cost savings of over $0.5m
•      Received 2 Performance Awards

Commercial Fulfillment Sales Operations Leader

Supported $500m in sales revenue business focused on sales and supply chain lean process improvements and six-sigma certification.   Responsible for driving business key initiative execution, team six-sigma certification, identified projects based on customer satisfaction, value, and simplification.

•	Instrumental in driving global span reduction of 75% from 21 days to 3 days resulting in increased customer satisfaction and cash flow
•	Lead business in “order linearity” initiative resulting in identifying KPI’s and execution plan / results and business forecasting to global make centers
•	Completed over 75 BB / GB projects with cost savings of over $14m and streamlined global operations
•      Received 3 Performance Awards

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt / Business Operations Leader

Brunswick Corporation - Life Fitness

In this highly operational / Customer focused role I owned P&L Responsibility: Reporting directly to the EVP of Global Services, I played a key role in transforming the service function from a cost center into a profit center, driving $25 million in sales revenue with a 24% CAGR. As a member of the management team, my scope encompassed a wide range of strategic initiatives, including:
•	Brand Development & Marketing: Spearheaded the creation and promotion of a comprehensive services portfolio, elevating brand presence and market penetration.
•	Customer Support & Technical Services: Enhanced customer satisfaction through robust support services, including replacement parts, technical assistance, and product/component refurbishment.
•	Supply Chain & Supplier Strategy: Led supply chain optimization, supplier strategy, sourcing initiatives, and vendor selection, ensuring efficient and cost-effective operations.
•	Sales & Distribution: Established and expanded a dealer network, managed 3rd party logistics, and implemented strategic pricing strategies to maximize profitability.
•	Inventory & Warranty Management: Directed inventory life-cycle management and minimized warranty expenses, contributing to overall operational efficiency.
•	Team Leadership & Development: Built and mentored a high-performing, results-oriented team, fostering the growth of future leaders within the organization.

Achievements: Recognized with three Performance Awards for outstanding contributions to the company’s success

AfterSales New Business Development / Service Marketing / Refurbishment / Distribution Manger

Operational Executive and EOS Integrator with 20 years of leadership experience across small to mid-sized public and private equity-owned companies. My career spans a wide range of cross-functional roles within highly matrixed global organizations across various industries. I’m known for my positive, can-do attitude and ability to deliver results at all organizational levels, with a strong focus on growth and execution.

I have extensive experience overseeing Sales, Marketing, Finance, Engineering, Human Resources, Operations, Distribution, Customer Service, AfterSales, Service, Parts, Supply Chain, Procurement, Project Management, Quality, and Manufacturing. As an inclusive, collaborative team builder, I am passionate about driving operational excellence, fostering growth, and implementing continuous process improvements to achieve sustainable business success, enhance employee and customer satisfaction, and maximize shareholder value through solution selling and strategic partnerships.

Currently, I am open to new opportunities on Boards of Directors where I can apply my comprehensive business experience to drive impactful results.

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