Are you a Visionary business owner who feels stretched thin and knows something needs to change?
Are you struggling with the idea of letting go of the day-to-day decision making and management of your organization?
If this sounds like you, you may be ready for an Integrator™.
An Integrator™ is a second-in-command, often carries the title of COO who oversees and delegates the many details and management items that you've been juggling. They manage at a high level and help your leadership team support YOU in growing your business.
So, how do you know if you're ready for an Integrator™? In their book Rocket Fuel, Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters discuss four aspects of readiness to consider. Here they are:
Are you financially ready?
Are you psychologically ready?
Are you ready for a lifestyle change?
Are you ready to work fewer hours overall or spend the hours you're currently working being the Visionary and letting the Integrator™ manage the company? Are you ready to enjoy your life after growing your company?
I’m guessing you don’t need to put much thought into this one. Of course you’re ready! It’s probably why you’re reading this right now.
Are You Ready To Step Into Your Unique Ability®?
Are you ready and willing to fully embrace the Visionary role you were born to play?
Rocket Fuel notes that taking this step can be challenging and potentially anxiety-provoking. You'll be in the spotlight often as you’ll be more closely in charge of developing the company’s direction. You’ll rely on your Integrator™ and management teams for your information instead of gathering it firsthand. Some Visionaries are uncomfortable with these steps but it’s the only way to truly become the Visionary you want to be.
Not quite ready?
Take a minute and think again, Are you ready for an Integrator™? Dig down deep and if you feel in your heart and in your mind that it’s time, you need to start the search and get yourself ready.
What If I Am Not Ready for a Full-Time Integrator?
If you’re not ready just yet, maybe a Fractional Integrator™ is a better fit.
Some companies don’t yet have the business model and/or financial budget that can support hiring a full-time Integrator. The Visionary knows what they need to achieve their vision but can’t wait until the business is positioned to hire a full-time Integrator™. It’s a big problem.
For this scenario, the Fractional Integrator™ is the perfect solution.
When you partner with a Fractional Integrator™, you'll have an experienced leader jump start the process of getting traction in your business.
And for companies running on the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS), the company receives the same level of service as a full-time Integrator™, but on a fractional (shorter hours) basis.
For example, as a Fractional Integrator™, I partner with business owners who...
So what’s the investment for an Integrator™?
That is question that can be answered in a Discovery Call with a Fractional Integrator™. Every business is different and each industry has its own set of unique needs.
The following are just a few factors that are taken into consideration during a Discovery Call with a Fractional Integrator™ to determine the appropriate pricing.
What is the size of the leadership team?
What level of support will be needed to accomplish business goals?
What is the experience of your executive team?
Are you self-implementing or actively working with an EOS Implementer?
So the better question is what’s the cost of you NOT having an Integrator™?
You May Want to Know. Just recently, I began the process of recruiting for a full-time Integrator for a client. According to a few well known and respected recruiting agencies specializing in finding Integrators for Visionaries, the annual investment for a full-time Integrator can be between $250 - $350K, not including taxes and negotiated incentives.
Many times the Visionary business know they need to achieve their vision and can’t wait until the business is positioned to hire a full-time Integrator. A Fractional “Bridge” Integrator is a excellent solution
Wrap it up
If you're a Visionary business owner feeling stretched thin and struggling with letting go of the day-to-day management, you may be ready for a full-time or a Fractional Integrator™. Rest assured that with an effective Integrator™ at your right hand, you'll have the time, energy, and freedom to focus on what you do best.