--- title: When Hiring an Integrator, Save for a Schwinn description: Your business growth strategy should include hiring an integrator. But don't just hire anyone. The right integrator means ROI is measured in millions. image: https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/schwinn.jpg --- [![kystone](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/Keystone%20Executive%20Search%20/Keystone_exec_search_logo@2x.svg)](http://www.keystonesearch.com/) # The Executive Brief ![](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/schwinn.jpg) # When Hiring an Integrator, Save for a Schwinn ** Mike Frommelt ** March 01, 2017 [** Visionary](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/visionary), [** EOS](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/eos), [** Integrator](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/integrator) At some point in my childhood, I decided it was time for a 10 speed bike. My parents thought I should buy this bike with my own money, to teach me the value of a dollar. I looked at the ads and found a few bikes I thought I could afford. They were being sold at the big box store of the day: K-Mart. The bikes I was considering were significantly cheaper than the “Cadillac” of the time, a Schwinn. Thinking he would be proud, I confidently told my dad I wanted to spend my allowance money on one of the cheaper bikes. My dad responded in a firm manner "There is no way I'll let you spend your money on any of those bikes; save your money until you can buy a Schwinn." He continued: "Any money you spend on those other brands will be thrown down the drain, because they will fall apart and you ultimately won't be happy." As you might guess, I saved for a few more months and bought the Schwinn. It took me where I wanted to go for many years to come. I was glad I did and never forgot the lesson. [![New Call-to-action](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2444630/05cba940-bec8-47f5-9eb4-20617517b0a2.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2444630/05cba940-bec8-47f5-9eb4-20617517b0a2) ## **Hiring the Right Integrator is a Big Investment, With Big ROI ** When it comes to [hiring an Integrator](http://keystonesearch.com/eos/), the same holds true. Yes, an Integrator is expensive. To get a qualified Integrator, you may have to pay 50-75% more than you are paying your highest paid employee. You may even have to pay as much or more than you’re currently paying yourself. But remember this: the ROI on the *right* Integrator is measured in millions, not thousands. [The *right* Integrator will propel your business to the next level of success.](https://www.eosworldwide.com/rocket-fuel) ## **What Type of Integrator Makes Sense for Your Business?** It’s okay if you’re not ready for a full-time Integrator. You can continue to play both Visionary and Integrator until you have the wherewithal to do it right. Or, you can bring in a Fractional Integrator - one who will dedicate 2-3 days a week to your business versus being full-time. Whatever you do, don't sell yourself short with anything less than a real deal Integrator - the money and time spent can be a momentum killer for the business. ## **Next Steps:** - Align your leadership team before your hire an Integrator with our [Core Values Assessment](https://app.hubspot.com/compose/2444630/blog-post/31835) - Get a [custom plan](https://app.hubspot.com/compose/2444630/blog-post/31835) for hiring your Integrator - Follow us on [Twitter](https://app.hubspot.com/compose/2444630/blog-post/31835) and [LinkedIn](https://app.hubspot.com/compose/2444630/blog-post/31835) [Visionary](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/visionary), [EOS](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/eos), [Integrator](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/integrator) ### How aligned are you? [![Is Your Leadership Team Aligned on Your Core Vlaues?](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hs-fs/hubfs/General%20Content%20Assets/Core%20Values%20Assessment/KS_Sidebar_CTA_Core_Values_Assessment@2x.png?width=758&height=750&name=KS_Sidebar_CTA_Core_Values_Assessment@2x.png)](https://explore.keystonesearch.com/core-values-assessment) [Take our Core Values Assessment](https://explore.keystonesearch.com/core-values-assessment) so you can create a great culture and acquire the right talent. ### Recent Posts [![Culture Still Matters](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/culture.jpg) ### Culture Still Matters January 31, 2023 ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/culture-still-matters) [![The 5 Key Checkpoints for Evaluating Integrators](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/blog%20images/purple_squirrel.jpg) ### The 5 Key Checkpoints for Evaluating Integrators January 10, 2023 ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/the-5-key-checkpoints-for-evaluating-integrators) [![Challenges and Successes as an ESOP CEO](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/hubfs/building-a-strong-team-wooden-blocks-with-people-icon-on-pink-human-picture-id1227412970.jpg) ### Challenges and Successes as an ESOP CEO October 21, 2020 ](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/new-esop-ceo-2) ### Categories - [Culture (18)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/culture) - [ESOP (15)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/esop) - [Executive Leadership (15)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-leadership) - [EOS (14)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/eos) - [Integrator (13)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/integrator) - [Visionary (13)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/visionary) - [Hiring (11)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/hiring) - [Leadership (10)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/leadership) - [Executive Search (9)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-search) - [Private Companies (7)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/private-companies) - [Evaluation (6)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/evaluation) - [Retained Executive Search (6)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/retained-executive-search) - [Core Values (4)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/core-values) - [Board of Directors (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/board-of-directors) - [CEO Transition (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/ceo-transition) - [Executive Recruiting (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/executive-recruiting) - [Keystone Updates (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/keystone-updates) - [Strategy (2)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/strategy) - [CEO Succession (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/ceo-succession) - [Communication (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/communication) - [Human Resources (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/human-resources) - [Mental Horsepower (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/mental-horsepower) - [Succession (1)](https://blog.keystonesearch.com/topic/succession) ### Sign up for updates from KeyStone Search ### Our Mission We help private companies reach the next level of success by securing executive leaders aligned with their vision, goals and values. ### Follow Us [**](https://twitter.com/KeyStone_Search) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/keystone-search) ### Navigation ### Search The Site Search ### Contact 143 Oakwood Rd. 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