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The Five Levels

The Five Levels of AOS

AOS develops through five levels: Core, Build, Growth, Scale and Leverage. Each level builds on the last, with increasing capability across the same operating system.

Find Implementation Support How AOS works

The wheel stays the same at every level.

The progression

Core, Build, Growth, Scale, Leverage

Each level builds on the last, with increasing capability across the same operating system.

Level 1

Core

Level 2

Build

Level 3

Growth

Level 4

Scale

Level 5

Leverage

How the levels work

The operating system stays the same

The three phases represent how the work is organized, and the nine pillars represent what must be mastered.

Owners at different levels work across the same nine pillars, with different implementation needs. Leadership runs through all of it.

See the nine pillars

ALIGN

Vision
Goal Clarity
Planning

ACT

People
Operations
Execution

ACCELERATE

Data & Finance
Sales
Marketing

A planning note

Use the levels to plan, not to label

The levels describe increasing capability across the same operating system. They are not revenue tiers, and there is no fixed timeline for moving between them.

Choose a few priorities for the quarter, give each one an owner, and review progress every week. When you want help putting that into practice, our Circles support owners, managers and salespeople at every level.

Build level or Build Circle? Build is the second AOS level. Build Circle is a separate manager offering that adds KPI management to the Learn program. Enrolling in Build Circle does not depend on your company’s level. See Build Circle

Find Implementation Support Optional: AOS Diagnostic

FAQ

Questions about the five levels

What’s the difference between a Circle and a level?

Circles are the accountability and implementation groups: Mastery, Express, Sales, Learn, Build and Leadership. Levels, Core, Build, Growth, Scale and Leverage, describe how much of the implementation you have already done in your business. See the Circles.

Is Build Circle the same as the Build level?

No. Build is an AOS level. Build Circle is a manager Circle that adds KPI management to the Learn program, and enrollment does not depend on your company’s level.

How do I know which level I’m at?

The optional AOS Diagnostic scores your business across the nine pillars and shows your current level. You can also talk it through with the team.

Do the pillars change from level to level?

No. Every level works across the same three phases and nine pillars, with different implementation needs.

Is Mastery Circle grouped by level?

No. Mastery Circle supports owners across all five AOS levels, so groups are not organized by level or company size.