Playbook / Lessons / The system runs: operating cadence
Cash-flow businessDefine what the manager role must do before you hire or promote
Scarola's guide helps owners choose between promoting someone internally and hiring an outside manager. He starts with the real business need, asking whether you need someone to run today's business or redesign tomorrow's. He warns an internal promotion can backfire without clear authority, training or owner backing, and recommends structuring the first 30, 60 and 90 days with a simple success plan.
“Ask yourself: Do I need someone to run today’s business, or redesign tomorrow’s?”— Dave Scarola, Hire an Outside Manager or Promote Internally? A Guide for Business Owners, Jun 2026
Do this
Write down whether the role must run today's operations or redesign them, before you look at any candidate.