Book Review

Traction by Gino Wickman

"Vision without traction is merely hallucination." – Gino Wickman

Running a small business can feel like driving with the parking brake on — you’re working hard, but you’re not moving fast enough. In Traction, Gino Wickman lays out the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS), a simple, practical framework to get your business moving in the right direction.

Why Traction Matters for Small & Home Service Businesses

If you’ve ever said:

• “I feel like I’m putting out fires all day.”

• “We have great ideas but never fully execute them.”

• “I wish my team would take more ownership.”

  …this book is for you.

The 6 Key Components of EOS

Wickman says every business, no matter the size, needs to master these:

1. Vision – Know exactly where you’re going and how you’ll get there.

2. People – The right people in the right seats.

3. Data – Running on measurable numbers, not gut feelings.

4. Issues – Spot problems early and solve them permanently.

5. Process – Simple, documented systems everyone follows.

6. Traction – A culture of discipline and accountability.

My Favorite Takeaway

The “Level 10 Meeting.” It’s a 90-minute weekly meeting where the team reviews the numbers, tackles issues, and stays aligned. No wasted time. No rambling. Just progress. For small service teams, this is a game-changer.

How You Can Apply It This Month

• Write down your 1-year goal and share it with your team.

• Pick 3 key numbers to track weekly (calls, leads, jobs closed).

• Hold a short, focused team meeting every week—no excuses.

If you want your business to stop running you—and start running like a well-oiled machine—Traction gives you the playbook.

Action Step:

Grab a copy of Traction and commit to implementing 

just one EOS tool this month. Small wins stack up fast.

Bonus: Listen to the “Tractionville” podcast for real-life EOS stories from business owners like you.