Welcome to Confessions of an Implementer, a podcast by Talent Harbor. We share unique stories of implementers and the companies they’ve transformed to give you a rare glimpse into the system's successes and challenges. I'm your host, Ryan Hogan.

Let’s dive in!

In this episode, I sit down with Tom Tompkins, an EOS Implementer, who shares how EOS empowers leaders to make faster, more effective decisions, especially in smaller companies where impact is immediate. From aligning culture and hiring, to focusing sales strategy on real customer needs, Tom unpacks what drives lasting organizational change.

00:47 Journey from Engineering to Sales

02:50 The Allure of Small Businesses

04:53 From Sales to Business Development

09:47 The Fragrance Industry Turnaround

13:05 Navigating Family Ownership and Partnerships

14:23 Building a Revenue Function

19:17 The Role of Retailers in Sales

21:35 Creating a Collaborative Sales Process

27:25 Formulating Scents: The Science Behind the Art

30:52 The Importance of Accountability in Teams

33:23 Discovering EOS: A Turning Point

35:59 Building a Consulting Practice During the Pandemic

37:32 The Point of Transformation in Leadership

40:35 Preparing for EOS Implementation

42:32 Defining Target Markets: A Common Misunderstanding

45:05 The Role of Culture in Hiring

47:24 The Cost of Bad Hires

50:22 Finding the Right Clients

53:40 Connecting with the EOS Community

Episode Resources