An Introduction to the book "Traction"
"Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business" is a business book written by Gino Wickman. It was published in 2012 and is part of a series of books aimed at helping entrepreneurs and business leaders improve their companies.
The book introduces the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS®), which is a practical framework designed to help businesses achieve their vision and gain traction in their operations. EOS provides a set of simple, yet powerful tools that can be implemented to create a more organized and effective business structure. The book outlines a holistic approach to running a business and covers various aspects, including setting clear goals, creating an accountable and effective team, implementing processes, and achieving measurable results.
We’re sharing our team’s book review of "Traction" and Getting a Grip on Your Business but first let us explain how our Co-founder and CEO, Gary Vanbutsele came across the book.
How we found "Traction"
"Any entrepreneur serious about getting what they want from their business has heard of the Entrepreneurial Operating System® — a set of tools created by successful businessman Gino Wickman, to help entrepreneurs like him elevate their businesses and reach their goals.
So picking up a copy of Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business seemed like a natural starting point.
"What if I told you that by reading this book and applying its core principles, you could eliminate all of your business-related frustrations?
That you could have great employees at all levels who share your vision, communicate with each other, solve their own problems, and demonstrate accountability?
That your organization could not only run seamlessly, but also have the potential to scale up as large as you see fit?
I am telling you that, and you can. Believe it or not, you already have everything you need to make those changes."
Extract from Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
Book Review: Our team’s top takeaways from reading Traction
The book, “Traction,” is well-structured and easy to read. It’s filled with potent and yet still pragmatic business advice. Here are our team’s takeaways;
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Running a business entails constant turmoil. Turmoil often results in forgetfulness, deprioritization, and missed opportunities. Luckily, Traction presents a comprehensive framework that enables you to minimize this chaos by providing the necessary structure for your business. Additionally, Whale serves as an essential tool for implementing this process-driven framework effectively.
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Employing EOS grants you a notable competitive advantage. Traction inherently assumes that your business will experience growth, and by embracing this framework and concentrating on the Process Component™, you position yourself favorably from the outset.
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Inadequate structure and a lack of vision come at a high cost. Companies and their employees waste significant amounts of time and resources due to a lack of focus and a clear vision and unstructured processes. However, it doesn’t have to be this way, and Traction convincingly and practically teaches you how to overcome these challenges.
What you didn't know about the book Traction
Before writing "Traction," Gino Wickman was a third-generation entrepreneur who had been involved in the family business since the age of 21.
He eventually started his own consulting practice and began working with a wide range of companies. Through his experiences, he developed the EOS framework as a comprehensive and practical approach to solving common business challenges and helping businesses achieve their goals.
The book "Traction" is essentially a distillation of the knowledge, insights, and methods that Gino Wickman accumulated over the years of working with various businesses. It outlines the key principles of EOS and provides a structured roadmap for implementing the system. This background adds depth and credibility to the concepts presented in the book, as they were developed based on real-world experiences and tested in different organizational contexts.
So, when reading "Traction," you’re not just getting theoretical advice – you’re benefiting from the practical wisdom and expertise that Gino Wickman gained through his hands-on work with businesses, making the book a valuable resource for entrepreneurs and business leaders seeking actionable strategies for improvement.
Biggest lesson from the book Traction?
You can't get Traction half heartedly
Whale itself is an organization that works on the basis of EOS and the learnings taken from Traction. We’re definitely ‘practice what you preach’ kind of people. 
We built Whale to help companies running on EOS master their processes.
So if you’re after a framework that has everything you need to keep focused, get things done, and skyrocket your growth, Traction is a must-read.
But if you’re looking for quick fixes to solve an urgent pain and get you from A to B quickly (even if those fixes might not pass the test of time), then EOS probably isn’t your best option. And Traction probably isn’t going to be the bedtime read for you either.
Because as excellent as EOS is, like anything worth having, it requires years of meticulous focus. If you’re not at the stage where you can give it your all, then save it until you are.
How do you rate the book Traction?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall we give Traction a 5 out 5 rating based on;
- ⭐ Content
- ⭐ Structure
- ⭐ Relevance
- ⭐ Ability to implement
- ⭐ Ability to impact
The book is clear and well articulated and offers a framework to improve business operations and growth.
Traction - the Bottom Line
Traction is a book well worth the time investment if you’re looking to scale your business in a way that will last. It’s actionable, insightful, and speaks to every entrepreneur with a growth-led mindset.
The book however is just a starting point and while the Six Components are universally applicable, in reality, each organization needs to consider their context.
For instance, a startup is most likely going to have to rethink the ‘People’ and ‘Process‘ components more than ‘Vision’. In essence size, structure and life phase of a business is going to impact where to start. For this reason it’s highly advised to work with an EOS Implementer.
FAQs about the Book "Traction"
What are the key take aways from the book Traction?
The book Traction introduces the 6 key components of EOS but apart from that the main emphasis is on running a business with consistency and in a structured manner. This includes implementing activities like;
- Rocks: Rocks are short-term goals or priorities set every quarter that align with the company’s long-term vision.
- Meeting Pulse: Regularly scheduled meetings (weekly, quarterly, and annually) designed to keep everyone aligned, accountable, and on track.
- Scorecard: A tool used to track key data points that provide insights into the health of the business on a weekly basis.
What is the Traction methodology?
The “Traction” methodology, often associated with the book “Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business” by Gino Wickman, is a system for businesses aiming to improve their operations, grow, and resolve issues that limit growth. It’s part of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a set of simple concepts and practical tools used by thousands of companies worldwide to clarify, simplify, and achieve their vision.
Is the book Traction a good read?
Many entrepreneurs and business leaders find “Traction” incredibly valuable for its practical approach to business growth and operational excellence. It’s particularly praised for its clarity, straightforward tools, and actionable advice.
However, the book’s usefulness can depend on your stage in business, your industry, and how much of its advice you can realistically implement.
What is the meaning of rocks in traction book?
“Rocks” refer to the most important priorities that the company must tackle in the next 90 days.
The concept is derived from the idea that if you fill a container with big rocks (your main priorities), then smaller stones (smaller priorities), and finally sand (day-to-day tasks), everything fits. But if you start with sand, the big rocks won’t fit. Hence, focusing on your “Rocks” ensures that the most critical tasks are accomplished first.
Key Terms & Further Reading on SOPs for the Traction Book
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