For many organizations, the idea of implementing a Managed Service Provider (MSP) program seems like the natural next step: greater visibility, compliance, efficiency, and cost control. But the leap from a decentralized, ad hoc contingent workforce model to a centralized, scalable MSP solution is not small. For those without any existing program, commonly referred to as a Gen 1 MSP, the stakes are even higher.
At Koncert, we have helped countless organizations navigate their first-ever MSP engagement, and the key to success lies in viewing it not as a transactional vendor relationship but as a strategic workforce transformation initiative. Below, we outline the foundational best practices for building a Gen 1 MSP program that is not just functional, but future-ready.
1. Start with Why: Establish Clear Business Objectives and Executive Alignment
Before launching into solution design or selecting a staffing partner, it's critical to ask: What do we want this MSP program to achieve?
For many first-time MSP adopters, common goals include:
Without alignment across procurement, HR, finance, legal, and operational stakeholders, your Gen 1 MSP program risks becoming a patchwork solution instead of a unified workforce strategy. Koncert collaborates with client stakeholders to lead strategic planning sessions, define measurable goals, and ensure every department sees the value behind the MSP initiative.
2. Design with Flexibility, Not Perfection
One of the biggest pitfalls in Gen 1 MSP programs is overengineering the model before it even launches. While striving for a perfect solution may seem ideal, the truth is you need room to learn.
Koncert guides clients through a phased MSP rollout model, often by geography, business unit, or labor category, allowing the organization to test, iterate, and refine. This creates an agile, scalable MSP framework that accelerates adoption and reduces implementation risks.
We also help clients define initial scope parameters (such as included worker types and rate categories), while building in mechanisms for evaluation and long-term program expansion.
3. Bring Suppliers Into the Journey Early
In decentralized staffing models, supplier relationships often vary by department or location, and vendors may fear losing access to hiring managers during a centralization effort. That is why a transparent and inclusive supplier management strategy is essential.
We recommend:
Koncert leads the supplier transition planning process, helping clients preserve institutional knowledge while improving vendor performance. The result is a supplier ecosystem that delivers high-quality talent, not just fast placements.
4. Prioritize Change Management as a Program Pillar
Many Gen 1 MSP programs underestimate the extent of organizational change involved. Hiring managers may feel like they are losing control. HR may fear workflow disruptions. Legal teams might be concerned about misclassification risks. That is why change management is a non-negotiable element of program success.
At Koncert, we support clients with:
This structured, people-first approach fosters stakeholder trust, minimizes resistance, and builds early program momentum.
5. Enable Visibility and Insight from the Start
One of the biggest surprises for first-time MSP adopters is realizing how little visibility they had into their contingent workforce. Who is working, where, for how long, and at what cost?
That is why we implement a technology foundation from the beginning, typically a Vendor Management System (VMS) with customizable dashboards and analytics aligned to business goals.
With Koncert, you can:
It is not just about data collection. It is about turning workforce analytics into actionable insights.
6. Think Beyond Implementation: Build for Sustainability
A Gen 1 MSP program is only truly successful if it evolves beyond its launch phase. Sustainability must be built into the foundation from the start. That is why Koncert equips every client with:
The most effective Gen 1 MSPs do not just resolve today’s hiring inefficiencies. They future-proof your entire contingent workforce strategy.
Why Koncert?
We understand the nuances, challenges, and aspirations of first-time MSP adopters. We do not offer templated or one-size-fits-all solutions. At Koncert, we act as strategic advisors, workforce transformation leaders, and long-term MSP partners, guiding you through every step, from design and rollout to performance optimization.
Our approach to Gen 1 MSP implementation is built on transparency, flexibility, and deep partnership. We believe contingent workforce programs can become a true competitive advantage.
If you are considering launching your first MSP program, do not go it alone. Contact Koncert today to schedule a discovery session and learn how we build Gen 1 MSP programs that deliver results today and provide agility for the future.
When you pour your heart into building something authentic, something rooted in partnership, transparency, and measurable impact, it is deeply rewarding to see it recognized. Koncert IT Solutions was featured in Staffing Industry Analysts’ 2025 MSP Global Landscape and Differentiators Report, a showcase highlighting the world’s most forward-thinking Managed Service Providers. To be ranked among leading MSPs […]
There is no shortage of great presentations in the contingent workforce space. Every MSP and supplier can walk into a room with a polished deck, strong messaging, and a sales team that knows how to tell a compelling story. On paper, it all makes sense. The strategy sounds right. The model looks proven. The results […]
Flexibility has become one of the most common words used in the contingent workforce. It shows up in nearly every conversation, every proposal, and every strategy discussion. Flexible workforce. Flexible staffing. Flexible solutions. It sounds right and it sounds necessary. But when you look closer, many programs that claim to be flexible are still operating in very rigid ways. Most contingent workforce […]
Most contingent workforce conversations start with speed. How quickly can we find the right talent, how fast can we fill the role, how do we keep things moving. Those are important questions. But what happens after the contractor starts is where the real outcome is determined. The first 90 days of a contractor often set the tone for the entire engagement. Yet it is […]
As EVP at Koncert IT Solutions, I spend a lot of time talking with clients about their contingent workforce programs. Most of the conversations start in the same place. They are trying to move faster, control costs, and improve quality. But as we get deeper into it, two things almost always come up. Lack of visibility and a vendor […]
As EVP at Koncert IT Solutions, I spend a lot of time in conversations across the contingent workforce ecosystem with clients, suppliers, MSP partners, and technology providers. It is a fast moving space where everyone is trying to move faster, deliver better talent, and stay competitive. It can be easy to focus on the short term, filling the role, […]
For years, time to hire has been treated as the ultimate scorecard in recruiting and MSP programs. Faster is better. Shorter timelines equal success, longer ones raise red flags. After years working inside complex contingent workforce environments, I have learned something important. Time to hire by itself is one of the most misleading metrics leaders rely on, not because […]
In the contingent workforce and MSP world rebadging is one of those topics that immediately triggers strong opinions. Some see rebadging as a smart continuity strategy while others view it as disruptive transactional or damaging to vendor partnerships. After being on all sides of this conversation with clients vendors contractors and internal teams one thing […]
In a season where headlines are filled with mass layoff news across industries, many professionals are rethinking how secure their roles truly are. Even the strongest talent can be impacted by market shifts, restructuring, or automation. The smartest move you can make is to prepare before change happens. Now is the time to strengthen your professional network, refresh your resume, and reconnect with […]
At Koncert IT Solutions, we know first-hand that the contingent workforce has evolved from a tactical solution into a strategic driver of business growth. From IT developers to engineering contractors, organizations today rely on contingent talent to deliver speed, specialized expertise, and flexibility. But when cost pressures rise, too many companies fall back on the […]
