Build One Great MSP Product. Sell It Over and Over.
POD Framework – Part 1: The Smart Way to Design Your Solo MSP Offer
Most MSPs don’t have a product.
They have a list of services.
And that’s exactly why they stay stuck.
What is the POD Framework?
The POD Framework helps you build a business that scales with you, not with headcount.
It stands for:
Product – What you sell and how it’s structured
Offer – How it's packaged, priced, and positioned
Delivery – How you fulfill it efficiently as a solo MSP
Over the next 3 articles, we’ll walk through each layer.
But it all starts here—with the Product.
Why Product Design Matters
If your service feels like a never-ending list of tasks, you don’t have a business—you have a job.
A well-designed product creates:
Clarity in what you do (and don’t do)
Repeatability in service delivery
Simplicity in marketing and sales
Margin—because it’s built for leverage
Without a product, you’re stuck customizing everything.
And custom doesn’t scale.
What Most People Get Wrong About Product Design
They think it means bundling a few tools or slapping a name on a service tier.
But real product design is about defining:
A focused outcome for a specific client
The boundaries of what’s included
A repeatable process to deliver it
It’s not about being fancy.
It’s about being clear, structured, and valuable.
Introducing the 5:5:5 Framework
The 5:5:5 Framework is your shortcut to creating a clear, outcome-driven MSP product that’s built for solo delivery.
It breaks your service into three layers:
5 Features – What’s included
5 Functions – What you handle
5 Outcomes – What the client actually gets
Here’s how it works—using a real-world example.
Example: Microsoft 365 Management for Law Firms 👨⚖️
🧩 5 Features
These are the visible components of your service.
These are what clients see—on proposals, landing pages, or during sales calls.
Microsoft 365 Best-Practice Configuration
A 12-Month Roadmap for Optimization
Security Hardening Aligned to Insurance Standards
Centralized Device Management via Microsoft 365
Ongoing Review of Licensing and Usage
🔍 These give the client something tangible to say yes to.
🛠 5 Functions
These are the core responsibilities you manage behind the scenes.
They guide how you plan, price, and support the service.
Backups – Manage and monitor Microsoft 365 and SharePoint backups
Configuration – Maintain and update the client’s Microsoft 365 environment
Client Enablement – Provide regular updates, roadmap sessions, and user education
Security – Set up and monitor cybersecurity baselines aligned to best practices
Device Support – Handle endpoint management, support, and documentation
⚙️ These clarify scope and protect your time.
🎯 5 Outcomes
These are the business results your client will experience.
This is the value you actually sell.
Fewer day-to-day support requests
Higher productivity and smoother collaboration
Cyber insurance-ready security posture
More confidence and control over their tools
Clearer understanding of how tech supports their business
💬 Sell the outcome, not the activity. This is your marketing gold.
Make This Yours
Take 10 minutes to map out your own 5:5:5:
What are the 5 key things you include?
What are the 5 core responsibilities you handle?
What are the 5 wins your client walks away with?
Whether you serve accountants, architects, or nonprofits, the 5:5:5 framework gives you a repeatable system to design your own high-margin solo MSP product.
Build the Business, Not the Job
The difference isn’t just structure—it’s strategy.
Designing your MSP offer with intention, clarity, and outcomes lets you stop chasing work and start building leverage.
The 5:5:5 Framework isn’t just a tool—it’s your blueprint for building a business that scales with you.
Up Next
Let’s turn your product into something people actually want to buy.
Get ready to package, price, and position like a pro.
Whenever you're ready, here are 2 ways I can help you:
Become a Paid Subscriber
Get weekly insights, strategies, and actionable tips to grow your MSP business delivered straight to your inbox.
Work With Me 1:1
Looking for a hands-on partner to help grow your MSP? Let's work together to create a scalable, profitable business model designed for success.
Enjoyed this article? Hit the like button! 🩵
Got feedback or additions? Drop a comment! 💬
Connect with me on LinkedIn for more insights and updates!
👉 Follow me on LinkedIn.