LEADERS WHO LEARN... Where do executives and small business owners go to tune into the latest trends and cultivate inspiration? We asked a few of our contributors for their top picks in print and podcasts.
PRO READS Traction
moving in the right direction. This focus on accountability has been
By Gino Wickham
crucial in helping us maintain
One book that has truly
momentum as we grow.
influenced the way I approach
Beyond just the business strategies,
business is “Traction” by Gino
what I appreciate about “Traction” is
Wickman. As someone who plays
that it’s not written just for owners—
a key role in shaping growth
it’s valuable for anyone in a position
and development at Contour
to drive change or improvement.
Construction, “Traction” has been
Whether you’re leading a team or
framework that helps us move
six key components—Vision, People,
from just having goals to actually
Data, Issues, Process, and “Traction”—
achieving them. It’s not just a
offer a structured approach to creating
book about theory—it’s packed
alignment within your team and
with practical strategies that
ensuring everyone is working toward
any business can adopt to drive
the same objectives.
meaningful results. What initially drew me to “Traction”
One of the biggest takeaways for me has been how “Traction” emphasizes
was how it provides a clear path for
the importance of measurable progress.
aligning all parts of the business.
Implementing the scorecards and data
It’s easy to get lost in the weeds of
tracking that Wickman outlines has
daily operations, but Wickman’s
transformed how we make decisions
Entrepreneurial Operating System
at Contour Construction. Instead of
(EOS) gives you a way to stay
relying on gut instinct, we now have
focused on the bigger picture without
the tools to track key performance
neglecting the details that matter. The
indicators and ensure we’re always
12 Frederick Business Quarterly
contributing to a larger organizational effort, the lessons in “Traction” are adaptable and actionable. I highly recommend “Traction” to anyone serious about improving how their business operates. At Contour Construction, we’ve seen the impact it can make, and I believe it has the potential to help others looking to strengthen their business, build sustainable growth, and stay focused on what really matters. Joshua Bell Director of Business Development: Contour Construction Winter 2024-25
istockphoto.com / Jacob Wackerhausen
instrumental in providing a clear