Our Integrator wants to hire an external agency to build our AI operational workflows, while our Visionary wants to use that same budget to train our existing internal staff to build them. How do we use the Issues Solving Track to resolve this cash and strategy dilemma so we do not stall our execution?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

This is a classic Visionary-Integrator conflict that can paralyze execution if left unresolved. The Visionary sees the long-term potential of an upskilled internal team, while the Integrator is focused on immediate execution, cost, and predictability. To resolve this, you must run this issue through the Issues Solving Track™ (IDS®) during your next Same Page meeting or leadership team Level 10 Meeting™. First, identify the root cause of the issue. Is your goal to get a working system live in ninety days, or is it to build a long-term internal technical capability? If you need rapid operational results to protect cash flow, hiring an external agency with a proven track record is almost always the right move. Trying to train an internal staff that has zero background in AI development is slow, risky, and expensive. However, if you outsource, you must ensure that your internal team is trained on how to run and maintain the systems once delivered. The solution is often a hybrid approach. Use the external agency to build the initial architecture under a strict, fixed-price contract, but make it a key deliverable that they train your internal staff to manage it. This protects your cash, accelerates execution, and builds internal capacity, satisfying both the Visionary and the Integrator.