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If you do TnM you will never have any leverage in the business. Even if you're a one man show you'll struggle to take a vacation. If you build a large business your revenue will always be trading dollars for hours.

The MSP model, while tougher to get started, will get you much further in the long run. You should try to create 3-6mths of buffer to get started, it won't happen overnight, but don't get discouraged. You can shorten this period if you win a client before leaving your current job.

This doesn't mean you can't build up some TnM clients before you start to sell an MSP offering, just don't get stuck there forever.

• Build your plan
  
• Determine your pricing
  
• Talk to everyone you know about what you can do for their technology needs
  
• Prosper
  
  I have a blog post about what the "best" MSP pricing model is you can check it out here.
  
  Karl Palachuck has this book that would be helpful. The book has some specifics about what to include and how to price etc.
  
  Tech Tribe would be useful as well. Currently closed, but can register for the waiting list. Tech Tribe is run by Nigel Moore, who you can listen to interviewed here. He also has a book coming out that details the specifics of building a pricing plan.

> sforming from break-fix to monthly contracts. How do you price the monthly contracts, what do clients get? 2) I'd like to scale employee-wise. Meaning, I'd like to have a number of techs working along-side me. How do they get paid, as a salary?

I'm currently reading it, almost finished, like 30 pages only left but when I started reading it, I quickly bought also the The E-Myth (revisited edition) from Micheal Gerber. You should definitively read it too. I'm a tech on the break/fix model since the last 9 years and in the next months I will switch to a MSP model. Other quick recommandation if you need help/inspiration to create your service agreement, buy also the Service Agreements for SMB Consultants, from the same author of Managed Service in a month. Definitively worth the money and time to read it.

Great! I would recommend starting with The EMyth Revisited and Fanatical Prospecting. Both books are great to give you some good tools to start out with and put you in the right mindset to succeed. I like Managed Services in a Month as well, but realistically if you've worked in the industry at established MSPs, there's not a lot groundbreaking there. It's a good re-affirmation, though.

I have a small problem in that I like a lot of different kids of bags for various things. It's not just that either. I like a nice and well made leather messenger bag, too.

What really matters though is durability and utility. I've had a Spire Endo messenger bag that I've had for 8+ years and it still appears nearly new. I do take care of it but not much. My coworker has the same bag and the only part that's worn on his is the shoulder pad.

http://www.spire-bags.com/laptop_bags.php

I've put massive weight into this thing and it holds it. It's fairly water resistant. No rips or tears. You can ride a bike with it (waist strap). It'll attach to a roller suitcase. It can hold a water bottle. You can zip things away into deep pockets that pick-pockets are unlikely to get into.

However, this is not a tool bag which is what I see a lot of people talking about. Still, I thought I'd mention it. Part of me wants a new bag but I can't justify spending more money when I have a perfectly nice and nearly new one still.

EDIT: I almost forgot, my toolbag of choice is this CLC bag with side zip open pockets. It's big though, which means heavy when loaded with tools. However, I also use a collapsable hand cart or 4 wheel dolly to get in and out of buildings when I have boxes of cable and other supplies.
http://www.amazon.com/Custom-LeatherCraft-1539-Multi-Compartment-Carrier/dp/B000EDTSZG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1458743396&sr=8-4&keywords=clc+bag

Ended up researching into a bag and eventually found one I think will work well.

I will link to everything I've found on amazon. I have found others on our distributors website. Hopefully this will help others put together something as well!

Bag

SATA Adapter

Toolkit

Toner/Fox and Hound

Small LED Flashlight

Velcro Wire Ties - Zip ties are awful

Network Kit

External HDD

Analog Phone - For testing Fax Lines mainly

There's more, such as cables and things, but everyone should be OK with figuring that out for yourselves. Total the kit (with cables and stuff included) is only about $370.91 per technician.

Hope this helps someone!

This guy is in all of my bags. I also carry a North Face Surge 2, it's pretty solid, has a lot of pockets, the laptop pouch is lined so my device never gets scratched up. I have some velcro cable ties that have been very useful at times, but I also go into a lot of rack rooms still.

I agree with the comfy shoes, and I also carry some hand sani and wipes.

Only one title of overlap, nice.
Out of your list, where would you start? Have you read any other in our original list?



Built to Sell, John Warrillow

The Automatic Customer, John Warrillow

How to Sell at Margins Higher Than Your Competitors, Lawrence Steinmetz

Start With Why, Simon Sinek

Leaders Eat Last, Simon Sinek

The E-Myth Revisited, Michael Gerber

Selling the Invisible, Harry Beckwith

What Clients Love, Harry Beckwith

Question Based Selling, Tom Freese

The only book that I've read (currently reading) is Managed services in a month, haven't got to the part where they (if they) talk about that stuff. You're well established so I'm not sure if it would help you.

Still a GREAT book! Here's the link:https://www.amazon.com/Managed-Services-Month-Successful-Business/dp/0981997856/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1473283679&sr=1-1&keywords=managed+services+in+a+month

READ THIS BOOK - it took me from knocking on doors and getting rejected to actually finding clients. If you can’t afford it, PM me and I’ll send you a copy.

How to Create a Powerful Network in 90 Days! https://www.amazon.com/dp/0989419509/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HsvuDb7XGCXYR

Most cities have many non-BNI leads groups. BNI is a racket and way too big of a commitment for a micro MSP. Start networking right away. Pal around local chamber events, get to know some people, and ask around. Do some googling and make some calls. Set up some coffee talks with members of the groups you find even if their IT slot is full. Visit every leads group you can to get a feel for them. Eventually you’ll find a good group. Once you find one, you’ll replace your current income very quickly and then you’ll be in a position to ask for fair compensation.

I'm currently studying for an HCISPP certificate and have found the following to be a pretty good guide to all things healthcare security related (not only HIPAA):

https://www.amazon.com/Healthcare-Information-Security-Privacy-All/dp/0071831797

It's an older book but this one is still got some great tips:

https://www.amazon.ca/Time-Management-System-Administrators-Working/dp/0596007833

If you want to start your own business, read this book: http://smile.amazon.com/E-Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427331465&sr=8-1

It's all about people like you and me. Technicians (people who do things, bake pies, make widgets, repair sofas) who want to break out of working for someone else and start their own business. The problem is that most Technicians don't know anything about running a business. It was a real eye opener for me. Karl Palachuk says it's the one book he'd get every business owner to read if he could and I agree.

You might need a few more years under your belt before starting your own MSP, though. Right now the work seems easy because it's all technical work and it's handed to you. You sit at your desk and the tickets show up. When you run your own business, you have to find that work, sign clients up, chase down payments, everything. It's all on you. You'll likely need to transition out of the technical role altogether at some point.

I have a Ono laptop bag and a legal box with folder separators that can organize all my cables and my equipment. This is the smallest setup I have come up with and is easy to pull out of my truck. I also have this bag for my more advanced tools and small pieces.

Custom Leathercraft Custom LeatherCraft 1529 16-Pocket, 16-Inch Center Tray Tool Bag https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0001ZI4K2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_.2I7BbCKF3ST5

I love this bag for tools when needed...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001ZI4K2/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Your audible link takes me to a redirect and just shows the main page, is this the book you are referring to? Managed Services in a Month - Build a Successful It Service Business in 30 Days - 2nd Ed

This is a great book, you should get it.

And, if you're starting out, get Managed Services in a Month https://amzn.com/0981997856

I haven't tried it yet but I have been looking at getting the Klein Tradesman Pro Tech Bag. I have also heard good things about the Veto Pro Pac XLT Laptop-Tool Bag but it is way more than I need.

Something like this?

Seems like a weird question for /r/msp /s

for a small wall mount and only needing pretty shallow depth, I use these, in various U sizes:
https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Enclosure-Switch-Depth-SRW6U/dp/B003K1NFY4/

I wanted one that closed completely and got this: https://smile.amazon.com/Custom-LeatherCraft-1539-Multi-Compartment-Carrier/dp/B000EDTSZG?ie=UTF8&colid=1BA4GBUZ6Q3IW&coliid=I3DU78ADDZS3Y&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

I love it, really sturdy and easy to use.

Thanks! This kind of shelf?
https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Enclosure-Switch-Depth-SRW6U/dp/B003K1NFY4/

I have a partner and our firm is stronger and my life is better for it. There is another person who cares as much as the other, both day to day and when one of us is on vacation. It also helps with the "hiring a salesperson" problem that every MSP faces at some point.

I believe we are the in minority with a successful partnership, most of the stories I hear are about failure and bad relationships. I would try to avoid a financial only partner, not worth giving up equity just for money.

A partnership is a relationship, there will be highs and lows and you won't always agree. ALL partnerships end, plan and discuss and write down how that should and can happen. Highly recommend this book:

https://www.amazon.com/Partnership-Charter-Start-Right-Business/dp/0738208981

Nigel Moore's new book is a good read for figuring out how to price and package plans:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0648656403/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

This. Well i listened to the audiobook on the way into work!

https://www.amazon.com/3M-497AJM-Portable-Electronic-Cleaner/dp/B00006HR5F

We've had one of these for almost 10 years, finally replaced the original cartridge this year.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0470182024/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_7?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Little red book of sales -- I don't actually like the guy, but it's the sales mindset you need

Traction

Phoenix project for process identification.

Learn about sales and business management. There's a whole skillset you're missing. You might be a great engineer, but no one gives a damn unless you can make sales and know how to run a business and manage customer relations. Unless you can be proactive on scalability, you're just an outsourced "IT guy".

These work fine in a pinch


NETGEAR 4G LTE Modem - Instant Broadband Connection | Works with AT&T and Alternate Carriers (LB1120) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5ASNTE

https://www.amazon.com/Managed-Services-Month-Successful-Consulting/dp/1942115474/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517596248&sr=8-1&keywords=managed+services+in+a+month

Buy and read that. Its not a terrible starting point.

The Foundation Bible of starting an MSP: Managed Services in a Month by Karl Palachuk Amazon Link

I'll also throw a vote in for Traction as a general business book.

And my personal people/team management bible that I bring into every company I work with: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Amazon Link

Buy this book

Managed Services in a month

It covers moving from a break/fix to MSP very thoroughly.

I bought this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EDTSZG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

https://www.amazon.com/3M-497AJM-Portable-Electronic-Cleaner/dp/B00006HR5F/ref=sr_1_13?crid=3JX3U7FNVE9TS&keywords=toner+vacuum&qid=1574731378&sprefix=toner+va%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-13

A book by Karl Palachuk

​

https://www.amazon.com/Managed-Services-Month-Successful-Consulting/dp/1942115474/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=maanged+sercices+in+a+momth&qid=1555682809&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spell

Yes. Why do I need a cradlepoint when I already have Rock solid equipment that can handle fail over?


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5ASNTE/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza