When Managed Service Providers (MSPs) grow quickly, chaos can follow. Roles blur, systems lag, and leadership scrambles to keep up. At IT Nation, Laurie Sorensen offered a fresh perspective: growth doesn’t have to be messy—it can be measured, aligned, and intentional.
Drawing from her deep experience guiding businesses through expansion and transition, Laurie laid out a path to scale without sacrificing sanity. Here are five key lessons MSPs can apply right now to grow smarter, not just bigger.
1. Build the Structure Before You Scale
Laurie emphasized that growth without structure is a recipe for burnout. Many MSPs chase revenue while neglecting the internal foundation—defined roles, documented processes, and scalable service models.
MSP Tip: Create SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) even if your team is small. Clarity now prevents confusion later.
2. Your Team Is Your Growth Engine
Laurie’s experience shows that people—not products—drive growth. But too often, MSPs fail to realign their team as the business evolves. Growth means roles shift, expectations rise, and new leadership may be needed.
MSP Tip: Regularly audit your org chart. Who’s thriving, who’s overwhelmed, and who’s missing?
3. Don’t Wait to Plan Your Transition
Whether it’s an acquisition, leadership change, or exit plan, Laurie urges MSPs to start early. Waiting until you’re ready to leave usually means you’re too late to maximize value—or stability.
MSP Tip: Begin documenting a succession or exit strategy today, even if it’s 5 years away.
4. Shift From Tech-Speak to Business Outcomes
Clients don’t care about your tools—they care about results. Laurie advocates reframing MSP value around outcomes like productivity, risk reduction, and growth enablement.
MSP Tip: Start tying your services to measurable business outcomes in QBRs and onboarding conversations.
5. Find Trusted Advisors (And Actually Listen)
Laurie’s final point: you can’t grow alone. Whether it’s a coach, peer group, or strategic consultant, MSPs thrive when they invite outside perspectives to challenge and guide them.
MSP Tip: Join a peer group or engage a business advisor who can spot blind spots you’ve grown used to.
Laurie Sorensen’s playbook isn’t about scaling at all costs. It’s about scaling with intention. Growth without chaos is possible—if you prepare your people, document your systems, and make smart transitions before they’re urgent.
MSPs looking to lead—not just survive—should start applying these five lessons today.
