He says his companies never made any profits on the Coca-Cola venture and that they played an indispensable role in keeping the CCBU operation afloat.

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Seth Godin describes a Linchpin as somebody in an organization who is indispensable - who simply cannot be replaced because their role is just far too unique and valuable.

FORBES: Seth Godin's Linchpin Theory: Sound Advice or Career Suicide?