Karl Gillihan | Business Strategy, Operations & Growth Consulting
Strategic problem solving for business leaders

The Problem Isn't Always Obvious.The Cost Of Ignoring It Is.

Karl Gillihan helps business leaders find the root cause of stalled growth, weak profitability, operational friction and difficult transitions—then build practical solutions that improve performance.

20+ yrsbusiness experience
Startups → Globalenterprise experience
Results-firststrategy + execution
Built around real business problems
20+ YEARSSTARTUPSMANUFACTURINGGLOBAL ENTERPRISESSTRATEGY + EXECUTION
The problem

You may know something is wrong. The hard part is knowing what to fix first.

That uncertainty is expensive. A profitability issue may really be an operations issue. A growth problem may really be a structure problem. An execution problem may really be an accountability problem.

01 / GROWTH

“We're growing, but it isn't translating into profit.”

Find the leaks, bottlenecks and missed opportunities keeping growth from becoming better performance.

02 / OPERATIONS

“Everything feels harder than it should.”

Improve processes, remove waste and create systems that make the business easier to run.

03 / PEOPLE

“Everyone is busy, but who's accountable?”

Build clearer structures, responsibilities and performance frameworks.

04 / CHANGE

“We're facing a big transition.”

Navigate acquisitions, startups, technology changes and other complex business decisions.

The opportunity

Don't just treat the symptom. Solve what's causing it.

Karl's role is to shorten the learning curve: understand the situation quickly, challenge assumptions, identify the highest-leverage opportunity and help the team execute.

What better performance can look like

  • Lower operating costs
  • Stronger profitability
  • Better delivery and quality
  • Clearer accountability
  • Smarter growth decisions
  • Solutions that actually stick
20%+operational cost reduction
99%+on-time delivery
99%+product quality / defect-free
25%+potential profit margin growth
How Karl helps

One partner. Multiple business problems.

From improving the business you already have to planning what comes next, the work is tailored around the problem—not a prepackaged service.

01

Profitability & growth

Find opportunities to improve margins, unlock growth and make better strategic decisions.

  • Profitability optimization
  • Growth opportunity analysis
  • Strategic planning
  • Market expansion
02

Operations & efficiency

Fix the processes and operating systems that slow the business down or quietly drain profit.

  • Lean implementation
  • Supply chain optimization
  • Process redesign
  • Cost-out programs
03

Structure & accountability

Create the frameworks people need to understand ownership, expectations and performance.

  • Organizational design
  • Accountability frameworks
  • Leadership systems
  • Performance alignment
04

Acquisitions & transitions

Navigate complex deals and transitions while protecting value and reducing disruption.

  • Acquisition assistance
  • Integration planning
  • Interim leadership
  • Transition strategy
05

Business startup & planning

Turn a business idea into a practical plan with the structure and decisions needed to move forward.

  • Business planning
  • Startup strategy
  • Operating structure
  • Execution planning
06

Technology integration

Identify where technology can remove friction, improve execution and strengthen the business.

  • Technology assessment
  • Process integration
  • Workflow improvement
  • Implementation planning
The approach

Reduce uncertainty before you make a bigger move.

The goal is to shorten the learning curve: understand the situation, challenge assumptions, identify the highest-leverage opportunity, and turn the plan into action.

01 / LISTEN

Understand the business

Start with the people, context, numbers and reality—not assumptions.

02 / DIAGNOSE

Find the real problem

Separate symptoms from root causes and identify the highest-leverage opportunity.

03 / BUILD

Create the practical solution

Design a strategy and structure that fits the company rather than forcing a template.

04 / EXECUTE

Make it work

Work with the team to turn the plan into action and measurable improvement.

Proof, not promises

Business leaders don't buy consulting. They buy a better outcome with less risk.

Client outcome

Lower costs. Better quality. Stronger delivery.

A hands-on transformation focused on the operating issues that were affecting performance.

“Within six months, we cut costs by 30% while improving product quality. Karl's hands-on approach and willingness to challenge us—constructively—made all the difference.”

30%cost reduction
42%delivery improvement
69%scrap reduction

“On-time deliveries improved 42%, scrap decreased 69%, customer complaints down 53% in the first year. He didn't just advise—he implemented with us.”

Operations ManagerAutomotive Supplier

“He listens, challenges ideas and helps the team move from talking about the problem to actually solving it.”

Manufacturing LeaderClient experience
Meet Karl Gillihan

20+ years of solving problems across real businesses.

With experience spanning startups to global enterprises, Karl understands that every business has unique challenges—and no one-size-fits-all solution.

As President of Manufacturing Solutions Group, he partners with leaders to identify growth opportunities, streamline operations and create actionable strategies that drive measurable results.

His approach is rooted in collaboration, adaptability and a relentless focus on results. He listens, challenges ideas and works alongside leaders to build solutions that are strategic, practical and sustainable.

20+ years of experienceHelping businesses navigate growth, operations, acquisitions, structural change and complex transitions.
Start with the problem

What is the business problem costing you right now?

You do not need a perfect brief, a finished plan or the right terminology. Bring the problem. The first conversation is about understanding it.

Let's talk about it →
Let's connect

Let's identify the problem—and what solving it could unlock.

Whether you're trying to grow, improve profitability, fix operations, plan a new venture, navigate an acquisition or solve a problem that has been stuck for too long—start the conversation.