A blueprint for how to achieve Great EO

The EO Framework is rooted in our deep understanding of employee owned businesses, underpinned by research gathered from interviews with senior decision makers and employee owners on how they implement Great EO.

We know that implementing Great EO isn’t a linear journey with a beginning, middle, and end – it’s an ongoing process. That’s why the EO Framework provides a blueprint for businesses at any point in their EO journey, from exploring employee ownership to long established employee owned businesses. 

However, the evidenced principles in the framework are evergreen. That’s why it’s more than just a framework for you to deliver Great EO, it will also guide everything we do at the eoa. While our content, discussions, resources, events, and L&D offering will evolve, they will all be linked to the framework. 

A simple, structured model - developed using insights from the EO Knowledge Programme with the support of sustainable success expert, Telos Partners – these four fundamental practice areas are vital for successful employee ownership:  

  • A strong EO approach built on shared values and practices that empower employees  
  •  Clearly defined EO roles with leaders, owners, and governance all understanding the part they play in making your EO a success
  • EO actions that harness the full potential of employee owners to transform your strategy, innovation, and sustainability
  • EO results from measuring the evolving impact of your approach, roles, and actions on people and communities. 

Each triangle represents the four areas within the EO Framework and is broken down into clearly defined areas of practice. We’ll continue to develop our understanding of each area of the Framework through conversations we have with EO businesses across the country via the eo Hub. Our active community will ensure the resources behind the framework evolve and expand. 

As you evolve you may revisit your approach, roles, and actions. This may be driven by insights gathered from your Great EO results. 

The EO Impact Tool 

Measuring Your Social and Environmental Impacts

As reported in the EO Knowledge Programme, the employee owned sector is significantly more likely to have practices and policies in place that create better impacts for the communities in which they’re based – from how they contribute their time and profits locally, to the policies and strategies they have in place to minimise their impact on the environment. 

From this evidence, partners developed this free-to-use tool that supports EO businesses to track their social and environmental impacts – both being key contributors to Great EO, but not always routinely captured, particularly by small and medium sized businesses.  

The tool will show you, at a glance how your social and environmental practice measures up to your EO peers and give you a downloadable summary you can use to track your progress in these areas at regular intervals. The EO Framework will support you develop and accelerate your social and environmental impacts as a business.