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Are You Truly Ready for Your Integrator | Brenda Violette

Hey Visionary, Are You Truly Ready for Your Integrator?

It rarely fails…

Almost always, visionary women entrepreneurs feel like they’re not ready for a second-in-command, an Integrator matched perfectly to their business. Often, they are and simply don’t realize it.

So, how about you?

Are you ready?

If you’re not sure, we can help.  

As the Visionary owner of a growing business, you’ve been juggling all the balls for a long time. You’re the founder and big-picture thinker, and you know the growth your business can achieve - but you just don’t have the time or energy to grow.

Because you have no time, you can't solve those big challenges and take care of those major external relationships because you must stay focused on the daily details, which you have no patience for and want no part in handling.

As a result, you’re doing everything and are burned out, feel like you have no control or freedom, and don’t know how much longer you can take it.

What's the Solution?

In a nutshell, you need an Integrator.

Put another way, you need a second-in-command, an Integrator, who can take all those details and run with them. Your business requires someone to take over the execution of those hundreds of tasks and also make sure everyone is on the same page to take the company to the next level.

In addition, your role needs a high-level counterpart to make sure your managers and team are in the right seats and doing the right jobs.

So Visionary, it’s time to step into the CEO role permanently and turn the operational reins over to an Integrator. 

In short, you were born to lead, and your Integrator was born to execute.

And finally, you need the time, space, and freedom to work your Visionary CEO magic and live the life you envisioned when you started your company.

Visionary? Integrator? So, What's the Difference?

As Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters state in their book Rocket Fuel, “an Integrator is a person who has the Unique Ability® to harmoniously integrate the major functions of the business, run the organization, and manage the day-to-day issues that arise.”

What that means to your business is that you, the Visionary, have the Unique Ability® to be the “entrepreneurial ‘spark plug’, the inspirer, and the passion provider”. Also, you’re “the big problem solver” and the “closer of big deals”. As you know, the vision of the company is your joy, and the growth of the business is your pleasure.

Therefore, you and your Integrator are opposites who fit together and complement each other perfectly.

While you feel ready to bring on an Integrator, a second-in-command, because you’re frustrated, burned out, and tired, you may have doubts whether your company is ready.

Are You AND Your Business Ready for a Integrator?

Women Shaking Hand

To know if you're ready, Rocket Fuel offers guidance in knowing if it’s time for an Integrator.

Firstly, how is your financial readiness? Are you able to afford a Integrator with your current revenue? A true Integrator is rare, and the return on investment is worth it not only financially, but also in terms of your time and freedom. In addition, the expertise of a seasoned Integrator will help move your business forward while giving you the space to step fully into your Visionary role.

Now ask yourself, are you in a financial position to invest in the business by finding your Integrator?

Secondly, Wickman and Winters discuss psychological readiness. Even more so than financial readiness, psychological factors pose a tremendous challenge for Visionaries. Are you ready to let go of control, and are you ready to hand off the reins to the Integrator? If you're honest with yourself, are you willing to let her drive while you plan the trip?

Fortunately, most Visionaries feel ready for the third area, lifestyle readiness. For example, are you ready to work fewer daily hours or perhaps not take work home every night? Certainly, you're ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor a bit? Or, perhaps you’re looking forward not to fewer hours, but to spending your days as the CEO fully, instead of having the COO tasks getting in your way and disrupting your focus?

Lastly, Rocket Fuel discusses Unique Ability®. Is it time for you to step fully into the role you were born to play in your business? For some, this can be anxiety provoking.

Is It Time to Come Out?

Right now, you can hide a little in the shadows when you’re wearing the COO hat. However, if you onboard an Integrator, you’re in the spotlight, and you’re visible. Are you ready for that?

What's Your Wish List?

When you think about it, what would you like your Integrator to take charge of?

Normally, an Integrator oversees or takes over all the daily operations and management of the business, such as:

Are You Winging It in Your Business?
  • Executing your business plan
  • Ensuring the right people are in the right seats
  • Hiring, training, supporting, and managing teams
  • Holding everyone, from the Visionary down to the new hires, accountable for goals and roles
  • Ensuring team members are all rowing in the same direction and share the company vision 
  • Writing new policies and procedures, plus ensuring they are followed
  • Making sure everyone is on the same page and staying true to the vision you created
  • Reviewing, creating, and perfecting new processes when necessary
  • Goal setting, reviewing and revising SOP's, and cutting expenses
  • Being your eyes on the budget, expenses, and cash flow
  • Making sure all 90-day goals and priorities are being done and supporting team members who are having a hard time getting them done
  • Ensuring that all core values are being lived by all  
  • Analyzing numbers for each person and helping put a number on each person to ensure everyone is contributing to the bottom line
  • Plus, any of dozens (if not hundreds) more functions.

So, What Can Your Integrator Do For You?

Keeping all these items in mind, if you could have your Integrator focus on any functions or tasks, what would they be? First, let your mind run free, and then think of what you don’t have time to tackle now. Next, dream about your perfect day at your perfect business. What would happen (or not)?

Finally, write down everything you can think of. Do a brain dump, and create your Integrator Wish List.

After you do this, let me ask you again: are you and your business ready for an Integrator?

So, after reading this, are you curious how strong a Visionary you are? Take this quiz and see where you fall on the Visionary spectrum.

Then, if you’re ready to talk about your need for an Integrator, let me know.

As I expected, I took the quiz and I'm a 100% Integrator!  For all who know and have worked with me, this comes as no surprise!

Brenda Violette - 100% Integrator

Before you go, I'd love to hear from you.  Leave a comment below to let me know how this post landed on you.  Also, after taking the quiz to determine how strong of a Visionary you are, let me know your results below. 

About the Author Brenda Violette

Brenda Violette, Founder and CEO of Violette Business Services, LLC, is a highly experienced and sought-after Fractional Integrator™ and Mentor based in Connecticut. With a remarkable track record of over 30 years in leadership, Brenda excels in administration, operations, and people management. As a relentless learner, Brenda actively engages in multiple EOS®-based Visionary/Integrator™ communities and holds esteemed memberships in the FIM (Female Integrator Mastermind) and Advanced Integrator™ Mastery Forum in Rocket Fuel. She’s also a distinguished Rocket Fuel Mastery Program graduate and a certified Kolbe Consultant™. With a keen focus on driving growth and making a positive impact beyond profit, Brenda guides Visionaries to achieve their strategic goals. Brenda brings transformative value to her clients and partners exclusively with companies operating on the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS®), who are already working with an EOS® Implementer™ or have graduated from the program. Discover how Brenda can propel your business towards significant growth and sustainability while freeing you to fulfill your role as the Visionary. Visit www.BrendaViolette.com to learn more.

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