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Process!
This deep-dive into the revolutionary EOS method to strengthen a company’s process component will help leaders at all companies—from early stage startups to established corporations—run better businesses and live better lives.
Part of the TRACTION Library, Process! proves that a high-level, 20/80 approach to getting your core processes “followed by all” will help you:
• Get consistently exceptional results
• Improve and innovate as necessary
• Free yourself to live your ideal life
If you own, run, or lead in a fast-moving business, you’re likely driven by passion and a desire to be free. Many leaders mistakenly believe instilling rigor and discipline for process throughout your organizations will inhibit freedom.
They couldn’t be more wrong.
It’s when you’re stuck in the day-to-day, putting out fires and cleaning up messes, that passion turns to frustration. Freedom seems somewhere between elusive and impossible. The secret to getting unstuck is process. This inspiring, informative field guide will prove it’s possible to establish rigor and discipline for process while also increasing creativity, flexibility, and innovation.
Process! will help you identify a handful of core processes that make your business uniquely valuable. You’ll learn how to document and simplify the major steps in those processes so they can be done the right and best way, every time. Finally, you’ll execute a simple, step-by-step plan that is helping more than 10,000 entrepreneurs around the world consistently get the results they want.
Part of the TRACTION Library, Process! proves that a high-level, 20/80 approach to getting your core processes “followed by all” will help you:
• Get consistently exceptional results
• Improve and innovate as necessary
• Free yourself to live your ideal life
If you own, run, or lead in a fast-moving business, you’re likely driven by passion and a desire to be free. Many leaders mistakenly believe instilling rigor and discipline for process throughout your organizations will inhibit freedom.
They couldn’t be more wrong.
It’s when you’re stuck in the day-to-day, putting out fires and cleaning up messes, that passion turns to frustration. Freedom seems somewhere between elusive and impossible. The secret to getting unstuck is process. This inspiring, informative field guide will prove it’s possible to establish rigor and discipline for process while also increasing creativity, flexibility, and innovation.
Process! will help you identify a handful of core processes that make your business uniquely valuable. You’ll learn how to document and simplify the major steps in those processes so they can be done the right and best way, every time. Finally, you’ll execute a simple, step-by-step plan that is helping more than 10,000 entrepreneurs around the world consistently get the results they want.
184 pages, Hardcover
Published September 27, 2022
148 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Mike Paton
7 books3 followersMike Paton has spent a lifetime learning from and sharing with entrepreneurs. The product of an entrepreneurial household, Paton cut his teeth in banking before running (or helping run) four small, growing companies. For the last eight years, he's been helping entrepreneurs clarify, simplify and achieve their vision by mastering the The Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS).
Paton discovered EOS while trying to run a $7 million company in Minneapolis. Drawn to its simplicity and usefulness, he quickly became a passionate advocate of the system and leader of a vibrant and growing community of professional EOS Implementers, clients and fans. In 2015 Paton transitioned into the roll of Visionary at EOS Worldwide.
An award-winning speaker and best-selling author (Get A Grip: An Entrepreneurial Fable - with EOS creator Gino Wickman), Paton has conducted more than 1,000 full-day EOS sessions with leadership teams of more than 100 companies. He's also helped thousands more business leaders at dynamic, value-packed keynote talks and in-depth interactive workshops. Whatever the venue and format, Paton attracts large audiences, receives consistently high ratings and introduces a complete set of simple concepts and practical tools that help leaders "Get A Grip" on their business.
Paton lives in Minneapolis with his wife Kate and his sons Henry and Charlie. His older son Jon lives and works in Springfield, IL.
Paton discovered EOS while trying to run a $7 million company in Minneapolis. Drawn to its simplicity and usefulness, he quickly became a passionate advocate of the system and leader of a vibrant and growing community of professional EOS Implementers, clients and fans. In 2015 Paton transitioned into the roll of Visionary at EOS Worldwide.
An award-winning speaker and best-selling author (Get A Grip: An Entrepreneurial Fable - with EOS creator Gino Wickman), Paton has conducted more than 1,000 full-day EOS sessions with leadership teams of more than 100 companies. He's also helped thousands more business leaders at dynamic, value-packed keynote talks and in-depth interactive workshops. Whatever the venue and format, Paton attracts large audiences, receives consistently high ratings and introduces a complete set of simple concepts and practical tools that help leaders "Get A Grip" on their business.
Paton lives in Minneapolis with his wife Kate and his sons Henry and Charlie. His older son Jon lives and works in Springfield, IL.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 27, 2024
I thought I knew all I needed to know about processes but I was very wrong. This book lays it out, step by step, on how to create the company processes as well as how to integrate and have them used by everyone. I really enjoyed how this made processes seem so clearly identifiable with the tips they give on how to create them. I will admit that it took me a while to get through because it is a lot of knowledge (and not storytold lol) but when I did sit down and read it, it gave me motivation and clarity.
June 10, 2023
Processes are important, you're welcome.
November 22, 2022
"Systematize the predictable so you can humanize the exceptional" -Isadore Sharp, 4 Seasons founder
Process doesn't destroy freedom, it creates it!
20/80 approach... 5-12 most important & repeatable processes that:
-- make Fed corp great place to work?
-- add value to our customers?
-- hit deadlines, meet expectations, win...?
...ingredients in our "secret sauce"?
Example processes:
-- hr / ppl process - interviewing, onboarding, training, developing
-- marketing
-- sales
-- acct mgmt - visit x/mo,
-- customer service - rga w/n y days,
Define: who / what / when / where / how
Core processes vs. proven process
-- back stage / front stage
-- proven process: marketing strategy from customer perspective
3 Step Process
1. Identify Core Processes (5-12) - KISS!
2. Document & Simplify
-- "the founder" - burger grilling scene (McDonald's)
-- begin w/ the end in mind... ask lots of Q: currently getting results we want? What causes probs?
-- early steps become "leading indicators" S/C
-- once drafted, share w/ Sr. Leaders for feedback (1-5 pg doc)
3. Package
-- What easiest for ee's to see? Viewed in office or the field? Ex: trainual, playbookbuilder, whale
-- ee's spend 20% of time looking for info!
-- "The Federal Way"
FBA - follow by all
1 Train
-- during L10, 1on1, video... 7x!
2 Measure (S/C)
-- compliance: double check inventory / pick list
-- frequency: 1 lunch & learn / wk
-- outcomes: no safety incidents
3 Manage (LMA)
-- Clear, firm, kind, & patient :)
-- Beware assumptions! Validate each step along the way...
-- Documented Core Processes helps w/ "identify" of IDS (root cause vs symptom!) (ppl or process issue??)
4 Update (each process > 1x/yr! Add it to cal!)
-- Culture of cont improv to simplify, automate, streamline, eliminate waste...
-- Adapt or die - Darwin
Take Action!
Commit:
-- Starts at the top... I'll hate it but it's needed! EE's won't like it so I'll be the one leading charge / beating drum
3-Step Process Doc
-- Takes ~3-5 qtr's, start w/ high level then dig in
FBA Checklist
-- Create culture of process accountability and cont. improvement... work never done!
Expect Challenges:
-- Lack process expertise? Use Rod, shadow peer/friendly co…
-- KISS!! Get it done and refine
-- Beware ERP! Get Core Processes in place 1st!
-- Tech is way to refine / streamline YOUR process... don't let tail wag dog
-- Own it! Leadership team drives it
-- TRAINING is huge. Documentation is just the beginning... hear 7x... use score card
-- Start measuring asap... don't need world class erp to measure # mistakes, leads, on-time delivery...
— Accountability- we get what we tolerate… celebrate those who rise to the expectation and coach out those who don’t
— Beware “kind of” syndrom! Either follow process or don’t!
Process doesn't destroy freedom, it creates it!
20/80 approach... 5-12 most important & repeatable processes that:
-- make Fed corp great place to work?
-- add value to our customers?
-- hit deadlines, meet expectations, win...?
...ingredients in our "secret sauce"?
Example processes:
-- hr / ppl process - interviewing, onboarding, training, developing
-- marketing
-- sales
-- acct mgmt - visit x/mo,
-- customer service - rga w/n y days,
Define: who / what / when / where / how
Core processes vs. proven process
-- back stage / front stage
-- proven process: marketing strategy from customer perspective
3 Step Process
1. Identify Core Processes (5-12) - KISS!
2. Document & Simplify
-- "the founder" - burger grilling scene (McDonald's)
-- begin w/ the end in mind... ask lots of Q: currently getting results we want? What causes probs?
-- early steps become "leading indicators" S/C
-- once drafted, share w/ Sr. Leaders for feedback (1-5 pg doc)
3. Package
-- What easiest for ee's to see? Viewed in office or the field? Ex: trainual, playbookbuilder, whale
-- ee's spend 20% of time looking for info!
-- "The Federal Way"
FBA - follow by all
1 Train
-- during L10, 1on1, video... 7x!
2 Measure (S/C)
-- compliance: double check inventory / pick list
-- frequency: 1 lunch & learn / wk
-- outcomes: no safety incidents
3 Manage (LMA)
-- Clear, firm, kind, & patient :)
-- Beware assumptions! Validate each step along the way...
-- Documented Core Processes helps w/ "identify" of IDS (root cause vs symptom!) (ppl or process issue??)
4 Update (each process > 1x/yr! Add it to cal!)
-- Culture of cont improv to simplify, automate, streamline, eliminate waste...
-- Adapt or die - Darwin
Take Action!
Commit:
-- Starts at the top... I'll hate it but it's needed! EE's won't like it so I'll be the one leading charge / beating drum
3-Step Process Doc
-- Takes ~3-5 qtr's, start w/ high level then dig in
FBA Checklist
-- Create culture of process accountability and cont. improvement... work never done!
Expect Challenges:
-- Lack process expertise? Use Rod, shadow peer/friendly co…
-- KISS!! Get it done and refine
-- Beware ERP! Get Core Processes in place 1st!
-- Tech is way to refine / streamline YOUR process... don't let tail wag dog
-- Own it! Leadership team drives it
-- TRAINING is huge. Documentation is just the beginning... hear 7x... use score card
-- Start measuring asap... don't need world class erp to measure # mistakes, leads, on-time delivery...
— Accountability- we get what we tolerate… celebrate those who rise to the expectation and coach out those who don’t
— Beware “kind of” syndrom! Either follow process or don’t!
August 18, 2023
Good short book to help people build process into an organization. Sometimes takes too much space pumping EOS resources but if you need help with systems and consistency, this should be able to help.
August 22, 2023
This book is so small and narrowly focused. They are part of the whole EOS (Enterprise Operating System) framework, so I guess it makes sense to do it like this. However, it feels like this is a glorified article.
This book is helpful for a small business looking to create scale and uniformity.
This book is helpful for a small business looking to create scale and uniformity.
October 17, 2022
In "Process!" Mike Paton and Lisa González offer practical tips for busy and creative entrepreneurs and founders to integrate a disciplined and systematic approach to running a business. The authors explicitly address objections from business founders driven by freedom and innovation. They argue that robust processes create a vibrant and sustainable company culture rooted in discipline. Building upon a framework known as the Entrepreneurial Operating System, the authors make a case for developing and applying repeatable procedures, details, and rules that produce consistent results to benefit the organization.
"Process!" follows the focused and concise approach standard in business titles. The advice provided applies to startups and early-stage companies poised for high growth. The book consolidates and simplifies business process improvement approaches and offers new techniques to drive efficiency and expansion. Case studies illustrate how organizations identify and execute process workflows that are easy for employees to execute repeatedly in their day-to-day work. Readers would appreciate the multitude of useful and turnkey templates, resources, and checklists for creating and implementing process steps. Process! is a handy manual for entrepreneurs looking to enhance business operations to ensure long-term success.
"Process!" follows the focused and concise approach standard in business titles. The advice provided applies to startups and early-stage companies poised for high growth. The book consolidates and simplifies business process improvement approaches and offers new techniques to drive efficiency and expansion. Case studies illustrate how organizations identify and execute process workflows that are easy for employees to execute repeatedly in their day-to-day work. Readers would appreciate the multitude of useful and turnkey templates, resources, and checklists for creating and implementing process steps. Process! is a handy manual for entrepreneurs looking to enhance business operations to ensure long-term success.
September 12, 2025
Among the EOS books I’ve read, Process stands out as the strongest addition. Some of the other titles have felt short on application or too shallow in leadership perspectives, but this one leans into the strength of simplicity and in and of itself shows well the power of simple and the discipline required to achieve it. The focus on clearly defining the steps you will take to achieve the rsults you want resonated as a real need.
That said, the book lacked in providing enough practical examples. Like most EOS books, it sometimes feels like a sales pitch for hiring an implementer. After attending a Process intensive workshop, I could see how the principles in the book work in practice, but the text itself didn’t deliver all that application. If more examples were included, this could have been more of a one-stop resource.
Still, I’m thankful for it. I think even without a workshop a team could practice the principles and arrive in a vastly better spot than before. The book is a valuable tool. We plan to implement it in our church processes, and I believe it can enhance the systems of any business owner.
That said, the book lacked in providing enough practical examples. Like most EOS books, it sometimes feels like a sales pitch for hiring an implementer. After attending a Process intensive workshop, I could see how the principles in the book work in practice, but the text itself didn’t deliver all that application. If more examples were included, this could have been more of a one-stop resource.
Still, I’m thankful for it. I think even without a workshop a team could practice the principles and arrive in a vastly better spot than before. The book is a valuable tool. We plan to implement it in our church processes, and I believe it can enhance the systems of any business owner.
May 16, 2024
This was a pretty good read. A lot of drilling into why process and repeatability is important, framed with EOS concepts (like the level 10 meeting, IDS) and terminology, as well as meeting cadence. As a team member, not on the leadership team, at a company that is using EOS I was left feeling curious as to how much of what the book outlines is being followed where I work. I know we have core processes (I am the process owner for one), but I have very little awareness of the processes I don't own. I also wasn't really aware that I was supposed to be getting leadership buy in and training people on the process that I do own.
March 11, 2025
I read this for work as we are currently documenting our Processes company-wide. The ideas and examples are simple and easy to follow, there are tools listed in the book that you can utilize to document your own processes, and overall I'd say this is an excellent companion novel to Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business.
If you follow EOS, I'd absolutely recommend.
If you follow EOS, I'd absolutely recommend.
June 16, 2023
Mike Paton and Lisa Gonzales have written an engaging book on a topic that frustrates most entrepreneurs and prevents them from getting what they want from their businesses. They typically ignore process or delegate it to someone else. The book provides practical, actionable advice on how to slay this monster and reap the benefits of well documented processes embraced within the company by all enabling profitable growth and happy employees.
October 6, 2022
Slowing Down to Speed Up!
I have resisted the critical process PROCESS to the detriment of my team’s growth. This book clearly demonstrates the need for articulating, creating and maintaining/improving your company’s core processes. Establishing the Process! process is unquestionably fundamental to accelerating growth, efficiency, and increased value in your organization!
I have resisted the critical process PROCESS to the detriment of my team’s growth. This book clearly demonstrates the need for articulating, creating and maintaining/improving your company’s core processes. Establishing the Process! process is unquestionably fundamental to accelerating growth, efficiency, and increased value in your organization!
November 8, 2022
Good and practical outline of how process can be painlessly implemented in your organization and your life. Most of the key and important things we get done don't get done by accident, it takes intention. This book focuses the reader on the best few - the 20% - and provides constructs in the back of the book to use to simplify implementation. Well done.
April 26, 2025
EOS HW worth the read
Going through EOS, this book gives a simple framework for structuring common sense processes. Having a thorough concept of how to write processes was excellent and excited to implement. Addresses many of the issues we run j to as a small business. Great how to.
Going through EOS, this book gives a simple framework for structuring common sense processes. Having a thorough concept of how to write processes was excellent and excited to implement. Addresses many of the issues we run j to as a small business. Great how to.
December 28, 2022
Simple guidelines to help you set the process in your business. I am quite surprised that the author can write a book solely talking about the process. However, he explains it very well from its definition, theory, and CTAs.
Recommended for almost everyone!
Recommended for almost everyone!
April 27, 2023
This book provided a lot of clarity for me. We have been struggling with how to document our processes and what should be on our scorecard. I now see a path to doing that and have the knowledge to lead my team through it. If you are running EOS you should read this book.
April 29, 2023
One of a series of books in the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) followed by my company. Process and checklists are critical to my field (Accounting), and I use them all the time, so this was right up my alley.
January 31, 2024
EOS user here, and this book of the library was very helpful!! My company is on the side of over-complications…. So I loved the simplify message. The silly “toast” example of what do you want and what are the steps to get there was the most useful!
December 11, 2022
Reasonably good but a lot of Traction information repeated here so less new tools and ideas. Still worth the read however
December 25, 2022
must read for owners who want to scale up
Amazing book . If you are looking to grow training and getting people up to speed is very important . This automates the process
Amazing book . If you are looking to grow training and getting people up to speed is very important . This automates the process
February 12, 2023
If you own a business this book really breaks down the EOS process of processes. Good read lots of actionable items. Bought it for my whole team!
February 27, 2023
Not a bad book. For my company, I found it too simple and elementary at time, but I appreciated the resources included in the book or on the website.
March 8, 2023
Helpful and detailed. Not too much where I thought “I have to implement this right now” but maybe being a mature business there isn’t much directly applicable.
January 28, 2024
Decent and simplified view of the process component. We use EOS so it's a nice compliment to our current structure. If you use this system, this is a nice start to getting the process defined.
March 20, 2024
Good outline on how to document workflow processes, bit light on deployment and FBA.
October 19, 2024
Very short, direct book with practical tips for Companies running EOS. I'm a process guru and there were still good tips and tricks I picked up.
January 1, 2025
Good book to remind you how important processes are
Read
April 14, 2025read for work
April 28, 2025
Useful tips for setting up processes to energize results in your small medium and large business. As an entrepreneur i found it very useful and a strong reminder to have and improve systems.
October 27, 2023
I guess my review is totally biased as I am a process lover and a huge fan of Traction books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews