61. Quarterly Rocks and Why Your Team Needs Them

The Ops Experts Club Podcast

SUMMARY:

It’s that time of year again—quarterly rocks season—and the team is here to break down how to turn your big, hairy, audacious goals (BHAGs) into manageable, bite-sized steps that drive your business forward. In this episode, Aaron and Terryn explore the cyclical nature of setting and achieving quarterly rocks. They unpack the essentials of effective rock-setting using the SMART framework—specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound—and share practical tips to avoid common pitfalls like overloading your rocks or mistaking KPIs for actionable projects. From the importance of annual planning (whenever it fits your business cycle) to the power of “rock parties” for team alignment, the hosts emphasize collaboration, accountability, and tracking progress with milestones. They also tackle visionary tendencies—like stacking too many ideas into one rock—and offer strategies to keep your team on track without letting “‘the blame game” derail your efforts. Expect actionable insights rooted in the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) from Gino Wickman’s Traction, blended with the Ops Experts’ own twists on running Level 10 meetings and rock reviews. Plus, a reminder to celebrate your wins—because as Aaron admits, even visionaries need a nudge to pause and applaud their team’s hard work. Minute by Minute:

0:00 Introduction

5:03 Making S.M.A.R.T. rocks

10:53 Everyone should be bringing ideas regarding rocks

14:22 How do people stay on track with their rocks?

19:20 Follow through matters + don’t forget to celebrate