Resources

Free tools for mid-market operators

Frameworks, checklists, and diagnostics built from 17 years of transformation work. Use them whether or not you ever work with KStrat.

Diagnostic tools

These tools are delivered as part of a strategy call or diagnostic engagement — not as generic downloads. The reason: a checklist without context is just a checklist. When you book a call, I'll walk you through the relevant diagnostic for your situation and give you a prioritized action list that's actually useful.

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The 90-Day Transformation Diagnostic
A structured assessment across 6 operational capability areas: systems & technology, order-to-cash, people & culture, AI readiness, governance, and financial visibility. Delivered live on a strategy call — I walk you through it and give you a prioritized output specific to your business.
Free · 30 minutes · Personalized output
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PE Post-Acquisition 100-Day Ops Playbook
The framework I use when I walk into a PE-backed company post-close — operational assessment, quick wins identification, reporting structure, leadership alignment. Available to PE operating partners and portco CEOs on request.
For PE firms & portco CEOs
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AI Readiness Assessment
A 20-question diagnostic across data infrastructure, process maturity, team capability, and leadership alignment. Know where to start before you invest in AI tools. Delivered as part of the strategy call — I score it live and tell you what it means.
Free · Included in strategy call
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ERP Modernization Readiness Checklist
44 questions across business readiness, data quality, process documentation, change management, and vendor selection. Know if you're actually ready before you spend $500K on an ERP implementation. Available on request.
For companies evaluating ERP

Quick self-assessment: Is your business ready to scale?

Answer 5 questions. Get an honest read on where your biggest operational constraint is.

1. How would you describe your current operational reporting?
2. When your best operations person leaves, what happens?
3. How would you describe your current technology and systems?
4. How does your leadership team handle strategic priorities?
5. If a PE firm or major investor reviewed your operations today, what would they find?
From the blog

Thinking on operations, AI, and transformation

Frameworks and perspectives built from 17 years of doing the work — not advising from the sideline.

AI Transformation
Why Mid-Market Manufacturers Fail at AI Adoption
Most manufacturers don't fail at AI because the technology is wrong. They fail because the organizational infrastructure to absorb AI doesn't exist yet.
8 min readAI · Manufacturing
PE Operations
What PE Firms Actually Want From Your Operations (And What They Find Instead)
I've walked into enough PE-backed companies post-close to know there's almost always a gap between what the investment thesis assumed and what operations can actually deliver.
6 min readPE · Operations
ERP & Systems
The 5 ERP Modernization Mistakes That Cost Mid-Market Companies $500K+
I've governed ERP programs across a $9B food processor and multiple mid-market manufacturers. The same five mistakes appear every time.
7 min readERP · Systems
Read all articles

Want a personalized diagnostic?

30 minutes on a call with me delivers more than any checklist. I'll tell you exactly what I see and what to prioritize.