Feel like you’re losing yourself putting out fires in the day-to-day of your company? Reclaim your vision and find a way to work on your business instead of just keeping it afloat. For any EOS® business, partnering with an experienced Integrator from day one is key to success.

Since learning about EOS® several years ago, every member of our team at GCE has been continually impressed by the power of this organizational framework. That’s why we ultimately came together, as a community of experienced Integrators, to empower your business with more refined systems and cohesive teams.

Fractional Integrators live and breathe operational excellence and bring streamlined strategies to our clients. Curious to learn more? Here, we take a closer look at the role of an Integrator within an EOS® company and highlight the benefits of hiring a Fractional Integrator to fill this position.

Wait…What Is EOS®?

An Integrator is a major role in the EOS® framework. Before we get into the details on Integrators, let’s back up with an overview of EOS®. The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS®) helps organize the people-based processes in your organization, like communication, alignment, and employee engagement. EOS® has six core components:

Vision: the direction you want to take your business.
People: the best-fit team to rocket you to success.
Data: the quantifiable information to help you make informed decisions about what works and what doesn’t.
Issues: incorporate a process for productively and comprehensively solving issues as they arise.
Process: the streamlined protocols for running your business.
Traction®: the ability to execute your vision every day.

Together, working on these components will help you get into the flow state of your business.

The EOS® Roles: Visionary and Integrator

Part of the success of EOS® is embracing the “right people, right seats” mentality. This concept is based on the idea that everyone has unique skills, passions, and workstyles that will make them a better fit for certain positions. At the epicenter of an EOS® company are two roles that function as the yin and yang of an organization: the Visionary and the Integrator.

Comparatively, the two positions require vastly different day-to-day responsibilities, yet both roles are equally important parts of the leadership team. Here’s our summary of the visionary/Integrator relationship, and then we’ll dig into more detail about the role of an Integrator.

The Visionary

People in the Visionary role are often the face of the organization. They are the CEOs who have the idea that starts it all. They set lofty goals and embody the culture of your company. We like to think of Visionaries as the “Why” people.

The Integrator

Integrators function a bit more behind the scenes, but they are the backbone of your organization. An EOS® Integrator’s main role is to create a clear process for achieving the goals set by the Visionary. They run your business’s operations and maintain the day-to-day workflow. With their ear to the ground and their hands in the dirt, the Integrator may double as your company’s COO or you may hire an external Fractional Integrator. To contrast the Visionary’s “Why,” the Integrators answer the question “How.”

The Responsibilities of an Integrator

Both full-time and Fractional Integrators share the same responsibilities to execute the company Vision. During the day-to-day, their role may include:

Operational Oversight: Integrators are the architects of efficiency, ensuring that the processes align with the overarching goals set by the Visionary. From resource allocation to workflow optimization, the Integrator keeps a steady hand on the pulse of daily operations.
Issue Resolution: No organization is without its challenges, and an Integrator excels at addressing them head-on. They implement a structured approach to identifying, discussing, and resolving issues.
Communication Facilitation: Integrators act as conduits between the Visionary and the rest of the team. They help maintain clarity and transparency, fostering an environment where everyone is on the same page.
Focus on the Metrics: Integrators ensure that the daily activities of the organization align with its long-term objectives. This involves setting and tracking goals and monitoring progress through KPIs and other metrics.
Adaptability: Integrators seek opportunities for improvement, whether it's streamlining processes, adopting new technologies, or adjusting strategies to meet emerging challenges.

Qualities of an Integrator

Not anyone can step into the role of an Integrator. In homage to the EOS® philosophy of hiring someone who has the ability, drive, and capacity to fill a position, here are some of the soft skills that make a great Integrator. A successful Integrator:

Is a natural leader.
Puts the greater good of the company above all else.
Is comfortable being uncomfortable.
Deals with facts and data, not emotions.
Sees the big picture and understands how every move impacts the other.
Elevates and delegates to the executive team like the maestro of a symphony.
Is confident but humble.
Is pragmatic.

Ready to Hire an Integrator? 5 Questions to Help You Decide:

Sometimes, you may co-found a business alongside an Integrator. While this might be the dream scenario, it’s pretty uncommon for an organization’s initial leadership team to have the balance of skills that a successful Visionary/Integrator partnership requires. That’s where we come in.

GCE works with experienced Fractional Integrators who can partner with your company and help you achieve traction in your industry. Wondering if this might be a good step for you?

Here are five questions to help you decide:

Am I uncomfortable being challenged for the greater good of the business?
Do we need better processes and systems?
Are my people disappointed with our communications?
Is there room for my team to execute at a higher level?
Do I struggle to maximize my leadership team’s full potential?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, hiring a Fractional Integrator could be a good idea for your business. But don’t just trust us at our word. Check out the benefits of a Fractional Integrator that we go over in the net section.

How Can a Fractional Integrator Help My Business?

You might be thinking, “My company is just fine, there is nothing that needs to be improved,“ or perhaps you like the idea of hiring an Integrator but you don’t want to be questioned or believe it will be too expensive. Remember, hiring a true Integrator can and will have a significant beneficial impact on your business.

Here are some of the key benefits that a Fractional Integrator offers any organization:

Cost-Efficiency: By working on a part-time or project-based basis, a Fractional Integrator offers you their expertise without the full-scale financial implications.
Specialized Expertise: Bringing a wealth of experience from diverse industries, Fractional Integrators can bridge gaps in your organization's processes and drive improvements based on industry best practices. What’s more, because of their multifaceted toolbox, they can implement new processes more efficiently into your workflow.
Objective Assessment: An external Fractional Integrator brings a neutral and objective perspective to the table. They can identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, or areas of improvement that might be overlooked by those within the organization, providing a clear and unbiased assessment.
Scalability: As your business evolves or undergoes changes, you can adjust the level of engagement with the Fractional Integrator accordingly. This scalability ensures that you have the right level of support precisely when you need it, making it an adaptable solution for businesses in various growth phases.

Work with Fractional Integrators at GCE

When you decide to hire a Fractional Integrator, be sure to look for someone who will challenge you and your team to reach their highest potential. A true Integrator can drive results in a multitude of ways including, executing business plans, providing consistent communication throughout the organization, and holding your Leadership teams accountable.

At GCE, we are proud of our team of Fractional Integrators who bring transformation to all the businesses they work with. Ready to see your company vision mapped out quarter by quarter? Schedule a discovery call with GCE to start working with an experienced Fractional Integrator today.

What Is An Integrator?