EOS for MSPs: How to Run Effective Quarterly Retreats
▶️ Watch: Quarterly Retreats for MSPs
Prefer to read? The key ideas from the video are expanded below.
One of the core rhythms of EOS is the Quarterly Planning Meeting — or what I often call Quarterly Retreats. The idea is simple but powerful: every 90 days, you step back from the day-to-day to look at the bigger picture, check your progress, and set the most important priorities for your MSP for the next quarter.
Why Quarterly Retreats Matter
I’ll be transparent about how this has looked at NodeWise CPA. We’ve gone through seasons where we’ve done these retreats quarterly, and it’s been great. Right now, though, we’re back to doing them semi-annually because the pace of our firm has been so busy.
I share that because I think it’s important to remember: two times a year is a whole lot better than zero times a year.
Yes, the gold standard is four times a year. That’s what we’re working back toward. But even doing this rhythm twice a year has been incredibly valuable, and I don’t want anyone to feel like if you can’t do it perfectly, it’s not worth doing at all.
What to Do During a Quarterly Retreat
First, we revisit the Vision Traction Organizer. You don’t want this to be something you fill out once and then stick in a drawer. At your retreat, you pull it out and check in: Are we still aligned on our values, our focus, and our long-term goals? Has anything in the market or in our company shifted that we need to account for?
Then you look at progress. How did we do on the Rocks — the 90-day goals — that we set last time? Did we hit them? If not, why not?
From there, you set new Rocks for the upcoming quarter. This is the real work of the retreat: narrowing down the long list of possibilities into just a few priorities that, if accomplished, will move the company forward in the most meaningful way.
Practical Ways to Make the Retreat Better
Do them offsite whenever possible. Getting out of the office changes the energy and reduces distractions. We’ve done ours remotely because part of our leadership team is remote, and that works fine. But in-person, offsite retreats are best. We’ve rented a room at our local Audubon Society building and, another time, at a local art gallery. Both were very affordable, and they set the right tone for creative thinking.
Take care of people’s energy. Have plenty of drinks and snacks that people actually like. Build in breaks — at least 15 minutes here and there. I’m the kind of person who wants to charge through, but not everyone on the team works that way. If you push too hard, you’ll burn them out and make them dread retreats instead of looking forward to them.
Use a printed agenda. It sounds simple, but it’s huge. Everyone should know what’s happening when, so they can stay engaged and not feel lost in a long meeting.
Phones away while working. During breaks, let people check for true emergencies, but encourage them not to get sucked into small fires. Even 15 minutes pulled back into the day-to-day can create a real setback in terms of focus and creative energy.
The Goal Is Alignment, Not a Perfect Rhythm
When you do this rhythm consistently — whether it’s semi-annual like us right now, or full quarterly retreats — you’ll see the payoff. The team starts to connect their daily work to the bigger picture. They realize they’re not just cranking out tasks — they’re building toward something.
So whether you’re at two retreats a year or four, the key is to step out of the whirlwind, revisit the vision, reset your priorities, and come back to the day-to-day with renewed clarity.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice. Every business is different, and you should talk with your own professional about what makes sense for your situation.
Comments