I am ready to hire our first full-time Integrator to prepare the company for a future sale, but I want to make sure I define the seat correctly on our Accountability Chart before we start recruiting. What are the non-negotiable roles for this seat?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Recruiting an Integrator is a critical step to professionalize your business and maximize exit value. To find the right candidate, you must define the seat on your Accountability Chart with absolute clarity before you begin your search.

The Integrator seat has five core, non-negotiable roles. First is Leading, Managing, and holding accountable, or LMA. The Integrator must effectively manage all direct reports on the leadership team, ensuring they are aligned and executing.

Second is Executing the business plan. This means the Integrator is responsible for delivering on the goals set in your V/TO® and keeping the company on track to hit its valuation targets.

Third is Harmonizing the organization. The Integrator acts as the glue that binds sales, marketing, operations, and finance, ensuring these departments work together seamlessly without silos.

Fourth is Driving results. The Integrator is accountable for the profit and loss of the company and must hold the leadership team accountable for their numbers and quarterly Rocks.

Fifth is Integrating major functions. This includes ensuring that systems, processes, and people are all working in alignment with the core values and vision of the organization.

When interviewing candidates, use these five roles as your scorecard. The ideal candidate must fully GWC™ this exact seat. If they do not, you will end up with an expensive executive who cannot manage the operational complexity of your business.