What is a business operating system? Jan welcomes Preston True to explain how the concept helps organizations nurture a goals-driven culture.
Preston says that, fundamentally, there’s no difference between a tiny startup and a multinational corporation. Businesses of any size can develop successful operating systems built on the same simple frameworks.
“There’s no magic in this whole process,” Preston says. “It’s really just reverse engineering. I want to ask the question — what do I need to do today that’s going to give me the result that I want 10 years out?”
Join this special episode of the Automotive Leaders Podcast as Jan and Preston get real about why so many organizations overcomplicate their strategies and discuss how crystal-clear expectations and frequent course corrections can help any business succeed.
➡️FULL PODCAST EPISODE LINK: https://theautomotiveleaderspodcast.com/episode/business-operating-systems-for-the-auto-industry-with-preston-true
Themes discussed on this episode:
-The functional components of organizing a business
-The frameworks that make a business operating system
-Why people need to have a cultural fit and a productivity fit
-The process of reverse engineering day-to-day priorities
-Why many automotive companies fail in their strategic initiatives
-How leadership can effectively hold employees accountable
-The importance of empathy and challenge in giving feedback
Featured Guest: Preston True
What he does: Preston is an entrepreneurial leadership coach and business operating systems guru. His consultancy, Get TPA Fit, helps companies go “from stuck to unstoppable” with consistent, measurable growth. He’s also a founding member of Pinnacle Business Guides.
On leadership: “[Resiliency] is not just, I can weather each quarter or I have the stamina to do great work over long periods of time. It's actually in that moment when you and I may have a disagreement, in which case, I can not fall victim to all the stories that are manufactured in my mind. [...] You're offering me feedback. It might be a little tough [but] what a great opportunity and a gift.”
Episode Highlights
Timestamped inflection points from the show
[0:57] Diving deeper: This is a special episode — Jan explains how her interview with Mary Buchzeiger of Lucerne International struck a chord about business operating systems.
[2:38] ‘It’s not magic’: Preston explains how organizing a business starts with some fundamental functional components.
[5:06] Components defined: Jan wants details, and Preston names the five frameworks that create a strong business operating system.
[7:07] From excuse to opportunity: Preston calls out the number one reason companies give to justify their underperformance and says organizations need to “dumb things down.”
[10:07] The right people in the right seats: Where does Preston begin when he consults with a business? He breaks down how to think about forming teams and the operational pipeline. Ignoring this principle is enormously costly.
[14:30] Big, hairy, audacious goals: Jan expresses the dangers of leaders staying in the weeds, and Preston explains how reverse engineering a goal helps set priorities.
[17:56] Top of the mind: Jan observes that many automotive companies struggle with keeping to their strategic initiatives. Preston suggests how to keep goals front and center.
[20:28] See it in action: Does a business operating system really work? Preston gives examples of past and present clients who have found success with these simple tactics.
[23:26] ‘Peer pressure works’: Goal-setting is great in theory, but how do you hold people accountable to prioritize the right behaviors? Preston explains how and why small course corrections keep everyone on track.
[27:38] Advice for auto industry leaders: Preston invites anyone in leadership to see feedback as an opportunity and a gift. Empathy and a willingness to challenge others must be present.
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