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People First: Building a Winning Culture in MSPs with EOS

In a recent captivating Sunny’s Silver Linings podcast, Sunny Kaila, CEO of IT By Design, connected with industry experts Kelly Knight, CJ Dubé, and Mark O’Donnell from EOS Worldwide to unravel a powerful truth: people are the heart of every business triumph and challenge. Mark ignited the conversation with a striking statistic—82% of business issues stem from people. This revelation set the stage for a deep dive into the transformative power of a people-first culture. 

A People-First Approach 

Sunny passionately recounted how IT By Design embraced the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in 2018, a pivotal move that propelled their growth trajectory. But what truly stood out was the realization that a thriving business culture hinges on prioritizing people. As the team navigated the complexities of scaling, they found that aligning business goals with genuine care for their team members created a winning formula. This people-first approach has become a cornerstone of IT By Design’s incredible success story. 

Building a Supportive Culture 

The conversation took an inspiring turn as Kelly emphasized that love—real, heartfelt care—should permeate every interaction within a business. It’s not about romance but fostering a culture of compassion and support that inspires loyalty and drives outstanding performance. Sunny shared how scaling IT By Design required more than systems; it demanded a relentless commitment to nurturing a culture where every employee feels valued and empowered to contribute. 

The Journey of Culture 

CJ aptly noted that building a robust culture is an ongoing journey, not a one-off task. As companies evolve, so must their cultures. This often entails difficult conversations and decisive actions to ensure the right people are in the right roles. Mark elaborated on the EOS principle of “right person, right seat,” underscoring that success hinges on finding individuals who resonate with the company’s vision and values while possessing the capability to grow. It’s about creating a dynamic environment where people can flourish. 

Leadership and Accountability 

Reflecting on IT By Design’s scaling challenges, Sunny highlighted how EOS seamlessly tied together the critical elements of their business, ensuring a laser focus on vision, people, and data. A crucial lesson emerged: alignment is everything. Each team member must not only grasp the company’s vision but also understand how their contributions drive success. Sunny likened this to whitewater rafting, where synchronized paddling propels the entire team forward, creating momentum and unity. 

Conclusion 

As the conversation reached its conclusion, Sunny reflected on IT By Design’s remarkable evolution with EOS. The system has been a game-changer, equipping leaders with the tools needed to scale. However, the essence of their success remains steadfast: it’s all about the people. By focusing on alignment, accountability, and genuine care, leaders can cultivate cultures that not only thrive but also fuel sustained business growth. 

In the end, EOS transcends being a mere toolkit; it embodies a philosophy that places people at the center of every endeavor. As Sunny, Kelly, CJ, and Mark unanimously agreed, when leaders prioritize the greater good—aligning their vision with the needs of their people—extraordinary outcomes are not just possible; they are inevitable. 

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For more content like this, be sure to follow IT By Design on LinkedIn and YouTube, check out our on-demand learning platform, Build IT University, and be sure to register for Build IT LIVE, our 3-day education focused conference, August 4-6, 2025 in Jersey City, NJ!