Picture this: Business is humming. Future goals are clear. The team is working together. Ninety days ago, this wasn’t the case. Ninety days ago, the business was floundering. The Visionary was beyond frustrated, and the team wasn’t achieving traction.

Enter the Fractional Integrator (FI). The Fractional Integrator (a Fractional Leader experienced in EOS®, focusing on operations) might be engaged short-term, supporting an existing Integrator or a newly hired full-time Integrator as they transition into their second-in-command role. Other times, the Fractional Integrator is a long-term partner to leaders seeking an experienced operations executive as the business elevates to the next level.

Getting Into Alignment With Your Fractional Integrator

Vetting of a Fractional Integrator includes discussions about expectations, desired outcomes, vision alignment, and open and honest communication around the business’s current challenges. Once a match is made, the Fractional Integrator gets to work laying the foundation and building a cohesive team structure.

A Fractional Integrator brings a wealth of knowledge and the discipline and drive to lead, manage, and hold the team accountable, including the Visionary! If assistance in rolling out and supporting the EOS® structure and related tools and processes is needed, the Fractional Integrator can provide that support to ensure team-wide system adaptation.

The First 90 Days

The first 90 days include crystallizing the EOS® Vision Traction/Organizer ™ (V/TO™), developing a plan and dialing in the operating system company-wide. The Fractional Integrator is on board to help the wheels turn faster and more effectively, with the full effort of all team members. If team members whose skills would best be used elsewhere are identified, the Fractional Integrator supports the leadership team and Human Resources with smooth transitions and aligning the right people for the right seats.

During the initial 30 days, the business benefits from an experienced, third-party, unbiased viewpoint to grow and transform the business. The Fractional Integrator is laser-focused on bringing consistency, structure, process, and improved communication to the team. A regular meeting cadence and streamlined internal messaging are honed, and the structuring of an accountability chart that best serves the business’s goals is completed.

Days 30 to 90 are then used to support the team through modeling, mentoring, and leadership, ensuring everyone is rowing together in the same direction. Effective meetings, regular check-ins, and accountability are the goals during this time. Process development is introduced, and core processes are reviewed and aligned. The Fractional Integrator continually brings the Visionary and team members back to the focus areas of the V/TO as the guiding principles for all business actions and decisions.

What Happens Next: Living Your Ideal Life

Many clients continue working in tandem with a Fractional Integrator well beyond the 90-day mark. However, if budget or the hiring of a full-time Integrator dictates the conclusion of the working relationship with a Fractional Integrator, ensure that in those 90 days they have met all expectations and objectives.

For businesses with a full-time Integrator, the Fractional Integrators’ goal is to support, mentor, guide and model for the in-house Integrator. A typical Integrator mentoring program consists of a targeted set of milestones providing the Integrator with the skills, understanding, and tools to actively engage and succeed in the second-in-command role.

Ultimately, the success of a Fractional Integrator’s work is measured by a team who has acquired new skills, is open, brutally yet kindly honest, and manages their time and energy with a focus on the highest and best priorities. The successful team leads, manages, and holds their colleagues accountable. An abundance mindset is practiced, and the vision for the business is crystal clear and followed by all. The business’ future is bright and predictable, providing the Visionary and the team the freedom and confidence to live their ideal lives.

The referenced term “Integrator” comes from the book Traction, by Gino Wickman, based on the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS®).

About the Author

Jamie Munoz is the founder and Visionary of a team of Fractional Integrators at Catalyst Integrators, helping busy Visionaries and entrepreneurs maximize their potential by running companies on EOS. Jamie is also a certified John Maxwell Team coach, speaker and trainer. Contact Jamie here.