As a business owner, you’re pulled in a hundred directions—people, clients, operations, finances and growth.
But often, what you’re not focused on is what quietly limits your ability to scale, delegate and lead with clarity.
After working with hundreds of owners and leadership teams, we’ve identified 12 common gaps that show up in nearly every business—and how to close them using the EOS® framework.
1. You Don’t Know What Your Business Is Worth
Your Scorecard should give you clear, weekly visibility into the health of your company—but if you don’t know what your business is worth, you’re missing a critical number.
A business valuation isn’t just an exit tool—it’s a Data Component must-have.
It gives you a baseline to set your Rocks, track progress, and make smarter, more strategic decisions.
Action: Use a valuation tool like the Value Builder Score. Reassess annually and review it as part of your quarterly L10 Meeting.
2. You Don’t Have a Buy-Sell Agreement
If something happens to a partner, who’s accountable for continuity?
Without a buy-sell agreement, you’re leaving your Accountability Chart open to chaos.
Action: Put a buy-sell agreement in place and tie it to your current valuation. Review annually during your Quarterly Session.
3. You Haven’t Planned for Succession
If your business can’t thrive without you, you’re still sitting in too many seats on the Accountability Chart.
Succession planning is about developing leaders who can take ownership—so the business doesn’t depend on one person’s energy or vision.
Action: Identify your next-generation leaders and begin cross-training. Make it a Rock to document clear succession and leadership development plans.
4. You’re Not Reviewing Financials Frequently Enough
In EOS®, Data Drives Decisions.
If you don’t know your numbers, you can’t manage effectively.
Regular financial reviews are how you measure Traction—and catch issues before they become fires.
Action: Build a Scorecard with weekly financial KPIs. Review them in your L10 Meeting to stay proactive.
5. You Haven’t Invested in Employee Development
Your People Component is only as strong as your team’s growth.
When team members stagnate, culture and performance decline.
Action: Implement a structured training and mentoring program tied to your Core Values. Review people quarterly using the People Analyzer—and ensure they “Get It, Want It, and Have the Capacity to Do It” (GWC).
6. You’re Not Fully Insured or Protected
Unmanaged risk is an open Issue waiting to happen.
You can’t achieve Traction if your foundation isn’t protected.
Action: Conduct a comprehensive insurance and risk review. Address gaps in your Issues Solving Track and assign ownership.
7. Your Core Processes Live in Your Head
EOS® teaches that documented and followed by all is the only way to scale.
If your systems aren’t written down, they can’t be measured or improved.
Action: Identify your six to ten Core Processes (HR, Marketing, Sales, Operations, Finance, etc.) and document them. Train your team to follow them—every time.
8. You’re Not Asking for Feedback
Your Data Component extends beyond numbers.
Real insight comes from your customers and employees.
Action: Create regular feedback loops—client check-ins, employee surveys, or NPS tracking. Discuss trends in your Quarterly and Annual Sessions to inform your V/TO priorities.
9. You Don’t Have a Contingency Plan
When disruption hits, strong companies rely on structure—not scrambling.
If you lack a plan, you’re missing part of your Vision Component: readiness for what’s next.
Action: Identify your top three risks. Turn those into measurable Rocks with clear ownership and backup processes.
10. Too Much of Your Revenue Comes from One or Two Clients
That’s not Vision, that’s vulnerability.
You can’t achieve true freedom or scalability if your business hinges on one relationship.
Action: Review your client mix quarterly. Set Measurables around diversification and make it part of your 1-Year Plan on your V/TO.
11. You Have a CRM—But It’s Not Driving Accountability
A CRM is a Process Tool—not a digital Rolodex.
If you’re not using it to track activity and results, you’re losing visibility into the Traction Component.
Action: Clean up your CRM. Build automated follow-ups, assign ownership, and track performance through your Scorecard.
12. Your Personal Financial Plan Depends on the Business
If your personal financial future is tied entirely to your company, you’re out of alignment with your 10-Year Target.
Action: Work with a fiduciary advisor to create a separate personal plan. Your business should serve your life—not the other way around.
You didn’t start your company to live in chaos or carry every burden alone.
These 12 missing pieces are what keep most businesses stuck in the hitting the ceiling phase.
You’ve built something worth protecting.
Now it’s time to strengthen it—one EOS® tool at a time.
Want to learn more?
Schedule a FREE 90-Minute Meeting where we’ll show you:
- Why EOS works, is so successful and helps free owners
- Exactly where your team needs to grow to the next stage
- Our Foundational Tools and how we implement them
- Our Proven Process and how we guarantee value behind what we do
