From an early advocate of the managed services business model

Build a stronger MSP with 1:1 coaching

One-on-one sessions tailored to SMB IT Businesses to help you eliminate bottlenecks, mobilize your team, and set bold goals such as . . . 

Take the first step and find out how your business can benefit from coaching

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Here are some of the books Karl has authored. Maybe a few are on your bookshelf?
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How Karl's coaching helps SMB IT providers like yours

Even the best MSPs can hit roadblocks that stall growth and frustrate your team

You might recognize any of these challenges in your business:

Stalled or Unplanned Growth

Challenge

Slow, “just fine” growth without a clear roadmap—or no growth plan at all.

Process Breakdowns

Challenge

Inconsistent or missing processes, outdated workflows that hold you back, and documentation that “just sucks.”

Leadership & Culture Challenges

Challenge

Key people have left or been misplaced, managers competing for attention, accidental or toxic culture, and no clear succession plan.

Skills & Training Gaps

Challenge

Little to no ongoing training, trouble finding—and keeping—the right employees, and teams working in silos.

Design

Solution

We'll design a growth strategy with a clear vision, and achievable goals and milestones.

Overhaul

Solution

We'll overhaul and document processes so they’re consistent, efficient, and scalable.

Strengthen

Solution

We'll strengthen leadership and culture to unite your team and retain top talent.

Implement

Solution

We'll implement ongoing training and accountability so your people—and profits—keep growing.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone here. With 1:1 coaching, Karl helps you tackle these issues head-on!

Personalized 1:1 coaching to fit your business needs... without the overwhelm

Tailored Coaching for IT Business Success

After decades of coaching, I’ve learned that success isn’t about weekly check-ins—it’s about doing the hard work between calls.

That means you need a team in place to own the action items. My coaching programs are built around one or two deep-dive sessions per month, so we can tackle your biggest challenges and keep your flywheel moving without creating overload.

Personalized 1:1 coaching to fit your business needs... without the overwhelm

Take manageable, highly effective action

After decades of coaching, I’ve learned that success isn’t about weekly check-ins—it’s about doing the hard work between calls.

That means you need a team in place to own the action items. My coaching programs are built around one or two deep-dive sessions per month, so we can tackle your biggest challenges and keep your flywheel moving without creating overload.

Personalized 1:1 coaching to fit your business needs... without the overwhelm

Take manageable, highly effective action

After decades of coaching, I’ve learned that success isn’t about weekly check-ins—it’s about doing the hard work between calls.

That means you need a team in place to own the action items. My coaching programs are built around one or two deep-dive sessions per month, so we can tackle your biggest challenges and keep your flywheel moving without creating overload.

Start here

Take the free self-assessment

A quick, online questionnaire to see where your business stands and how coaching could help.

Book a free discovery call

Tell me about your business, where you think you need the most help, and ask any questions. 

In a hurry?

Complete your SWOT Analysis

This deep dive into your business becomes the foundation on which to tackle your highest priorities.

Build a plan & put into action

We’ll implement the plan, together, and get your team enthusiastically on board, too.

Celebrate your victories

Track every win—big or small—then toast your success as milestones stack up and your MSP thrives.

Our group of technicians now function as a coherent team with everyone working from the same playbook.

“Karl and his team absolutely understand how to run and scale an MSP. . . Our group of technicians now function as a coherent team with everyone working from the same playbook. We now talk about consistency of service in a way that simply wasn’t possible before we started working with Karl.”

Greg Baker
CMA Augusta

Coaching Client

All coaching engagements begin with an in-depth SWOT Analysis

A critical first step to your success

The SWOT analysis is a critical, foundational step to help both you and Karl understand your business’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

This analysis sets the stage for a customized coaching plan designed to meet your needs and business goals.

A SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool used to evaluate four key areas of your business:

Strengths

What are the key advantages of your business? What makes you stand out from competitors?

Weaknesses

Where are the areas for improvement? Are there inefficiencies in your operations or client management?

Opportunities

What external factors could your business take advantage of to grow or improve?

Threats

What external challenges or risks could harm your business, such as market shifts, competition, or industry changes?

Why do you need a SWOT Analysis?

The SWOT analysis is not just a checklist; it’s a powerful framework that ensures you and Karl are aligned on what areas of your business need immediate focus and what opportunities exist for growth. By identifying both internal and external factors, Karl can create a tailored coaching plan that helps you capitalize on your strengths, overcome weaknesses, and navigate potential threats.

After completing the SWOT analysis, you’ll have a clear, actionable roadmap for moving forward in the coaching program, with well-defined goals to track your progress.

Helping IT Professionals with the business side of their business Since 2006

Meet Karl Palachuk —
Your MSP Business Coach

Karl helped turn break-fix into today’s multi-billion-dollar MSP model—back when “managed” meant rebooting every Friday.

For over 20 years, he’s helped business owners swap late-night fire drills for predictable revenue—and teams that actually love their jobs.

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Early advocate of the modern MSP Model

Karl wrote the playbook on recurring-revenue services long before “MRR” was trendy.​

Author of all of the best-selling MSP books

Including Managed Services in a Month and the Managed Services Operations Manual, 4-Volume Set.

Community Builder for over 20 years

He founded both the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community and the National Society of IT Service Providers.

One-on-one coach with a sense of humor

He’ll call you out on jargon (“synergy,” anyone?) and help you keep perspective while addressing your toughest challenges.

Choose the right coaching option for your business

To ensure a customized approach to your business growth, every coaching engagement begins with a SWOT analysis. From there, you can choose between three coaching paths that differ in frequency and focus.

Let's get to work

Review benefits and pricing

We believe in full transparency: here’s everything you need to know about our programs and costs—no surprises, no sales funnel.

All calls are scheduled for 60 minutes.

Business Calibration

$2,000 / Month

1 call / month

Ideal for IT Businesses with a solid foundation who want to build up to the next level.

Growth Accelerator​

$3,500 / Month

2 calls / month

Ideal for Powerhouse MSPs doing well and ready to accelerate to the next level.

High Intensity Team

$5,000 / Month

3 calls / month

Ideal for larger MSPs wanting focused, department-level, CEO and team coaching. Calls are divided among leadership team.

Individual Calls / Maintenance

$2,000 / Call

As needed

Available to existing, established coaching clients that need occasional, ongoing support and accountability.

Not sure which is right?

That’s okay – Start with the free self-assessment to learn more about how Coaching with Karl can help!

Common Questions

Skip to . . .

Still have questions after reading through these?
No problem, just send us a note and you’ll hear back shortly!

What makes your coaching program different?

Many people have tried a number of other programs to improve their IT businesses. But time and time again, they find these programs impersonal. The advice is great, the videos are great, and “the program” is great. But their business doesn’t improve! They don’t get personalized attention. They don’t get a personalized plan. And the program is too general to give them a map for their business.

How many clients do you have at one time?

I am now providing coaching services to a limited number of clients. With 25 years experience building successful companies in three states, I can help you re-tool your technology company for the future. As a leader in managed services, IT consulting, training, and cloud services, I will help you define – and reach – your business and personal goals.

Limited clients - does that mean it's expensive?

Please note: The “limited number of clients” is not a code word for expensive. It simply means that I will not take on a large number of clients. I have books to write and training to deliver. I want to travel the globe podcasting and blogging. In order to give everyone the excellent service they deserve, I am only taking on a few clients at a time.

Am I right for your program?

At some level, everyone can have more success with coaching. I have hired marketing coaches, and business coaches. I think they have helped me tremendously.

BUT . . .

I made the most progress when I had the bandwidth to take action! What does that mean? Well, it means I was able to take action and implement changes. Sometimes it meant that I personally had to stop doing some things in order to do other things. At other times it meant that I delegated tasks to my staff.

Here’s what Karl says: “Someone has to take action or there will be No Change!

Your business might be very small. If you personally are willing to STOP doing whatever you’re doing and START moving in the right direction, you will find great value in coaching. If you are too busy putting off the inevitable disasters that come with poor management, then you will gain no value from coaching.

If your company is larger, it’s easier to delegate duties and make sure things get done. But if everyone is totally disorganized and no one has time to plan for success, then change won’t take place.”

So the answer is: Coaching is right when you are ready, willing, and able to make changes. That’s easier with five employees than with zero. It’s much easier with 50 employees than with five. But as long as you’re willing to make changes, then you can make dramatic improvements in your business.

Note: Karl has and will fire coaching clients who don’t take action. If you cancel coaching calls or show up for one call after another with no progress from the last call, then you’re not committed. You’re just wasting your money and my time. If that happens, I will drop you.

Karl only wants to work with people who are tired of being poor or under performing and are willing to do what it takes to make their businesses better and themselves more profitable.

What are the terms?

  • All packages must be prepaid before used. Unused hours expire after 12 months. All members with unused hours are eligible to access the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community.

  • All coaching programs require a six-month minimum. Each monthly payment is due on the first of the month.

What's the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community?

All consulting and coaching services include access to the Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community. The Small Biz Thoughts Technology Community provides a collection of various white papers, forms, checklists, Excel spreadsheets, seminars, PowerPoint slides, audio programs, and other resources of value to Small Business Consultants. The resources provided here will change over time and are intended to supplement various programs provided by Karl W. Palachuk and Small Biz Thoughts, a division of Great Little Book Publishing Co., Inc.

Schedule a free call with Karl

30 minutes, free of charge.  We’ll talk about your business, I’ll give some suggestions where I can, and we’ll find out if coaching is a good fit for you. 

Schedule Coaching Call

Please provide three dates and times you are available.
Karl typically schedules meetings during regular business hours: Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm Pacific.

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All times are in Pacific Time Zone
All times are in Pacific Time Zone