If you’re a business owner looking to improve operations or eventually sell your company, chances are you’ve felt overwhelmed at some point: stuck in the day-to-day, fighting fires, and wondering if it’s all sustainable. One framework that can assist business owners in these areas is EOS®, or the Entrepreneurial Operating System®. We spoke with Chad Sinness of L10 Business Solutions, a certified EOS implementer, to explore how EOS doesn’t just make running a business easier, but also makes it more attractive to buyers when it’s time to sell.
EOS® is a simple, proven framework that helps leadership teams clarify their vision, gain traction, and create a healthier, more aligned business. Detailed in Gino Wickman’s book Traction, EOS focuses on getting the right people in the right roles, defining and measuring priorities, and fostering clarity across the organization.
From Operator to EOS Implementer: Chad’s Journey
Chad didn’t start out as a coach. He came from Corporate America and the franchise world, where he first encountered EOS through Traction. After implementing EOS in his previous business and seeing profitability double, they successfully sold the company, and realized he wanted to help others do the same.
“I saw firsthand how EOS could turn chaos into clarity,” Chad shared. “And when you’ve got clarity, buyers pay attention.”
At Align, we often meet founders who are at the edge of burnout. The irony? These same issues that wear down a business owner — disorganization, lack of accountability, unclear direction — are also what lower a company’s valuation or cause deals to fall apart.
Common Challenges Business Owners Face
Chad sees familiar patterns across nearly every leadership team:
- Lack of control – Owners are working in the business instead of on
- Wrong people in key roles – Talent misalignment holds the company back.
- Profitability issues – Margins are tight and growth feels stalled.
- Lack of vision – Teams are unclear on where the company is headed.
“A lot of owners are grinding away, trying new things, but not gaining traction,” Chad said. “Fixing these foundational issues doesn’t just improve the business. It makes it valuable and sellable.”
At Align, we know buyers are evaluating operational risk. If a company is dependent on the owner, has leadership gaps, or unclear systems, it’s going to be valued accordingly. EOS directly addresses these red flags.
Preparing for a Sale, Without the Panic
When business owners start thinking about an exit, Chad encourages them to start EOS early.
“Ideally, we’ve got two to three years of runway,” Chad explained. “That gives time to fix structural gaps, build a leadership team, and systematize operations, all of which drive higher valuations.”
From our side at Align, the businesses that stand out are the ones that already have strong internal alignment. If a seller has been working with someone like Chad, they’re ahead of the curve. These are the companies with clean financials, documented processes, and leadership teams ready to step up post-sale — traits that de-risk the deal for a buyer and often result in better offers.
Building Vision and Accountability
One of the core tools in Chad’s EOS toolkit is the Vision Traction Organizer (VTO), a two-page document that walks leadership through eight critical questions about their strategy, values, and long-term plan.
“If your leadership team can’t clearly articulate where you’re going and how you’ll get there, it’s hard to build momentum, and even harder to sell,” Chad said.
We couldn’t agree more. When Align presents a company to buyers, we’re often asked: What’s the long-term vision? and Is the team aligned around it? Companies using EOS typically have clear answers. Their VTO becomes an asset in the transaction process, signaling professionalism and intentionality.
Stepping Back to Step Up
Ultimately, EOS helps owners step back, without losing control. Through tools like the Accountability Chart, weekly scorecards, and documented processes, EOS enables businesses to run independently of the owner.
“You can’t sell a company that relies on you to keep the wheels turning,” Chad said. “EOS helps owners create a business that’s operationally self-sufficient.”
From a buyer’s perspective, this is essential. Businesses that require the founder to run every meeting, approve every expense, or lead every sales pitch are not scalable, and they’ll rarely attract strong buyer interest. EOS helps shift that dynamic before the company ever hits the market.
What Graduation from EOS Looks Like
Chad’s typical engagement lasts about two years, after which leadership teams are equipped to run EOS themselves.
Some clients, especially those preparing for an ownership transition, continue to bring Chad in for key sessions or leadership development work.
“I often help clients navigate leadership succession or get the company ready for M&A,” Chad said. “It’s rewarding to watch them move from reactive to strategic — and ultimately exit on their terms.”
At Align, we’ve seen firsthand how this foundation changes outcomes. EOS graduates are more likely to command higher multiples, close deals faster, and transition smoothly — because they’ve already built the structure buyers want.
Cultural Fit and Strategic Alignment
One of the more overlooked factors in a successful transaction? Cultural fit.
Chad and the Align team both emphasize that when owners are clear on their core values and long-term vision — another EOS hallmark — it becomes easier to identify the right buyer.
“Your values don’t just shape your company internally. They’re also the compass for choosing a growth partner who’ll take it to the next level,” Chad said.
Buyers increasingly care about more than just numbers. EOS helps articulate the story behind the business — not just how it works, but why it works — and that clarity fosters stronger, more sustainable deals.
Final Thoughts
At Align, we believe preparation is the best investment a business owner can make. If you’re thinking about an eventual exit, EOS can be the foundation that gets your business ready — not just for internal peace of mind, but for external value creation. You can reach out to Chad to learn more about implementing EOS. And if you’re ready to start exploring what your business might be worth, our team at Align is always here to help – contact us today to get started.