Why Your Elevator Company Needs a Business Operating System

As a new business owner, I felt confidence and resilience. I finally created my own elevator company—something to put my name on and create opportunities for my family. Even though we started Madden Elevator out of our basement with no capital and no customers, I kept faith that we would one day grow into a multi-million dollar company.

That faith slowly turned into doubt and anxiety as we crawled through each finish line of our goals. We were getting jobs and bringing cash through the door, but it was not sustainable and we couldn’t get ahead of the looming slow seasons. We found ourselves trying to catch back up every year. I was doing my best to problem-solve for my team, answer every phone call that I could, and put out everyone’s fires (because I was the go-to for my team and I felt responsible to have a hand in everything in my business).

Doing everything as a business owner with minimal organization and structure is not sustainable.

No matter how skilled you are or how many hours you put in the office and on the job, a business without structure will eventually hit a ceiling. And when that happens, you may end up like me—scrambling to figure out why things aren’t growing in the capacity they should.

The difference between an elevator business that thrives and one that just survives often comes down to one thing: systems. Having the right processes in place takes the chaos of running a business and transforms it into one where you can come in, have your daily check-ins, oversee your management’s plan for the day, focus on the future of your business and your next big move, and still be home by 5:30 after rush hour, to eat dinner and be fully present in your family time.

Having a business operating system will promote growth, help you scale, and mostly importantly, sustain the success you create.

Why Systems Matter

Most entrepreneurs start out doing everything themselves. Sometimes, it’s because our budget is limited and we have to, and other times because we feel compelled to hustle as hard as we can in order to get to the next level.

And for a while, this can work. But slowly (and surely), things start slipping through the cracks. Now you’re missing calls, that project is delayed another week, customers are obviously frustrated, and your team is beginning to feel discouraged. Growth should feel exciting, and instead it has started to feel like a burden.

That’s where systems come in. A well-structured business can’t rely on the leader answering every question and solving every problem. It runs on repeatable, scalable processes that allow you to step back and focus on bigger things. A strong system brings clarity, consistency, efficiency, and scalability to your elevator business.

What to Look for in a Business Operating System

Not every business will benefit from the same business operating system, but the core principles will remain the same.
What to consider when putting structures in place:

• Assess Your Pain Points – Where are you losing time, money, or efficiency? Fixing these gaps first will have the biggest impact.
• Create Repeatable Processes – This includes service calls, hiring, and defining step-by-step procedures to eliminate the guesswork in the office and operation.
• Ensure Buy-In from Your Team – A system only works if people actually use it. Make it clear how processes help them do their jobs better.
• Continuously Refine and Improve – Business evolves, and so should your systems. Regularly review what’s working and adjust your system strategy as needed.

One of the biggest mistakes I see elevator business owners make is waiting until they’re overwhelmed before putting systems in place. By then, they’re already in survival mode, and reacting more than proactively planning for their business growth.

The Role of a Business Operating System (BOS) for Your Elevator Business

A Business Operating System (BOS) is the framework that keeps everything running efficiently in your business. It provides structure, accountability, and clear processes that allow your company to scale without chaos. A strong BOS prevents small inefficiencies. Missing follow-ups, scheduling errors, and miscommunications can all be prevented with implementing a BOS.
It provides:

• Structure and Clarity – Defined roles and responsibilities to ensure everyone knows what’s expected. This improves accountability and lessens confusion.
• Efficiency and Productivity – Streamlined workflows and automation eliminate repetitive tasks and gives employees the ability to focus on delivering quality service instead of wasting time on manual processes.
• Compliance and Safety – Staying compliant with safety standards is non-negotiable. A BOS helps track inspections, certifications, and ensures proper processes are always followed.

By implementing a BOS, every part of the business, right down from leadership to technicians and the sales teams, operates more effectively. Clients receive reliable, top-notch service from your company while you are given the capacity to scale.

Choosing the Right BOS for Your Business

Elevator businesses have successfully implemented:

• 90.io – An effective system designed to help businesses implement the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) framework. It focuses on goal setting, accountability, and team alignment. This system is designed for business owners ready to scale.
• Elevator Business Operating System (eBOS) – Built specifically for elevator businesses on a large scale, this system provides tailored strategies for growth and efficiency for a management team.
• Trello or Asana – Ideal for smaller teams looking for straightforward task management and to optimize their workflows.

Having a BOS is essential, but implementing it effectively can be difficult. Change in itself is difficult. I’ve seen a lot of business owners not fully commit to the implementation of their BOS. It shows in their unwillingness to spend time with it and learn more about it. If you’re not all-in on your new system, how can you expect to get your team’s buy-in?

The Transformation That Comes With Structure

I know what it’s like to build a business from the ground up. The excitement, the exhaustion, the late nights at the office spent worrying if you’re doing enough. When I started Madden Elevator, I was confident and resilient, but as the business grew, so did our challenges.

When we finally implemented a Business Operating System, the shift was undeniable. Instead of chasing problems all day, I could focus on high-level strategy, my team could operate independently, and I finally had the space to plan for real growth. And the best part of all that? I could be home by 5:30, eating dinner with my wife instead of burning out at the office.

So if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’re working twice as hard just to stay afloat, it’s time to rethink how your business operates. The right systems in place will give you back your time, your sanity, and the ability to build something that lasts.