Once upon a time, there was a farmer who had a herd of cattle. One day, he saw a rainbow in the field. When he went out to investigate, he found a Unicorn! The farmer was elated to discover that the Unicorn pooped gold nuggets. Not only that, but somehow, even the milk from the cattle was sweeter with the Unicorn around. The farmer did everything he could to ensure that the Unicorn was happy and well-fed so that she would never leave. Soon enough, he couldn’t remember life without the Unicorn.
One day, the farmer woke up to find that the Unicorn had disappeared. He was bereft. How would his farm run without the Unicorn? Inconsolable, the farmer locked himself in his barn and cried as his farm fell into decline.
What’s this got to do with running a business, you might ask?
If you have an employee who is so important to your business that you can’t live without them, you have a Unicorn problem.
Unicorns are wonderful, but they create a unique challenge in your business—not only are they not scalable, but they pose significant risk to your company’s health. If you don’t want to grow your business, that might not be a problem. However, businesses that grow or get purchased have to be able to run Unicorn-free.
Running a Business Without Unicorns: The Accountability Chart
To run Unicorn-free, you’ve got to take a big step back and draft the right structure for the business, looking 6–12 months out. In the EOS world, we call this an Accountability Chart. Here’s how you can do it:
- Identify Key Functions
What are the essential functions that the business needs to run properly? Think about areas like operations, marketing, sales, finance, and customer service. The key is to think beyond who you have and focus on what you need. No people, no egos. - Define Roles and Responsibilities
For each key function, identify the top five accountabilities or roles. What are the critical tasks that need to be accomplished in each area? - Assign the Right People
Once you have the structure and roles defined, put the right people in the right seats. These should be individuals who are not just capable, but great at their jobs.
By focusing on structure and accountability, you ensure that your business can thrive even without a Unicorn. This approach not only prepares your business for growth but also makes it more attractive to potential buyers.
Remember, while Unicorns bring magic and excitement, a well-structured, scalable business brings sustainability and long-term success.
Need Help?
If you need help drafting or refining your Accountability Chart, please contact an EOS Implementer like me. The Accountability Chart is one of the foundational tools in the EOS framework, and it will change your business for the better.
