About TechCoach.ai
Practical AI and automation for owners and senior leaders. Diagnosis before tools. Off-the-shelf before custom.
TechCoach.ai is a fractional technology advisory practice that delivers practical AI and automation for owners and senior leaders: diagnosis before tools, off-the-shelf before custom, and capabilities left with the team.
What TechCoach.ai does
AI Audit ($999)
A remote engagement across the US. A required prep survey of about 10 to 15 minutes, a 45-minute audit conversation, and a written report with 4 to 7 prioritized recommendations, a quick-wins plan, and an ROI roadmap. A 30-minute review call within a week walks you through it. The $999 Audit stands on its own, and /book is how you start it. Implementation after the Audit is optional (do-it-with-you or DIY handoff). Paying for the Audit does not lock you into a build or retainer. Book at /book; full detail on /ai-audit.
Fractional CIO & Tech Coach retainer (ongoing)
After the roadmap is clear, ongoing advisory and hands-on coaching on named workflows with a cadence that fits the engagement. Monthly value is scoped per engagement. This is technology leadership that turns practical AI into lasting gains in how the business runs, not a SaaS seat and not a custom agent factory. Detail on /fractional-cio.
What practical AI means here
Practical AI focuses on high-impact process enhancements deployed within days or weeks, making the most of existing enterprise software investments and cost-effective cloud subscriptions.
Engagements begin with critical operational workflows: quoting, communication channels, scheduling, executive reporting, or key institutional knowledge. The target is return on investment through reclaimed operational hours and more consistent execution, not speculative technologies or unnecessary automation that undermines human oversight.
Roadmaps are prioritized by value: high-impact, low-effort opportunities are implemented first. Custom architectures are reserved for complex requirements when native stack capabilities are exhausted. Implementation is delivered collaboratively through hands-on guidance or structured team handoffs.
What makes TechCoach.ai different
Diagnosis before tools
Engagements start by finding where the work actually slows down, not by pitching a tool stack. The $999 AI Audit starts with a prep survey and a 45-minute conversation, so the written report's recommendations follow evidence from your workflows.
Off-the-shelf before custom
Recommendations prioritize proven, enterprise-grade and cost-effective off-the-shelf options before custom development. Custom work is reserved for complex needs when the existing stack's native capabilities are exhausted.
Capabilities left with your team
The objective is sustainable internal capability (hands-on guidance or structured DIY handoff), so the organization is not dependent on perpetual vendor reliance for every change.
CIO-level practical AI without a full-time CIO seat
TechCoach.ai is for owners and senior leaders who want executive-level technology and practical AI help without standing up a full-time CIO. Mid-market and growth-stage operators with established operations are a natural fit when they want more done with the team they have, not a headcount hire.
Clear entry offer that does not lock the next step
The AI Audit is a $999 package with a defined deliverable set. Ongoing Fractional CIO & Tech Coach retainer work is a separate conversation after the review call if it fits.
Who uses TechCoach.ai
- Owners and senior leaders with established operations who want to reclaim leadership bandwidth and streamline workflows
- Small and mid-size US businesses whose owners and senior leaders want executive-level CIO expertise and AI strategy without the overhead of a full-time executive seat
- Operators in manufacturing and high-mix shops and similar ops-heavy environments (see also /ai-for-manufacturing and /fractional-cio)
- Mid-market and growth-stage companies that want CIO-level practical AI without a full-time CIO seat
- Teams still losing hours to inbox, meetings, quoting, reporting, scheduling, and repeat manual work
- Leaders who prefer diagnosis and off-the-shelf fixes before custom software or "AI employees" platforms
Who leads TechCoach.ai
Mike Kanning, Fractional CIO & Tech Coach, founded TechCoach.ai in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 2024. He leads every engagement and brings in trusted partners when the job calls for it.
Team: Led by Mike, with trusted partners brought in as needed.
Full bio: Mike Kanning, Fractional CIO & Tech Coach
How TechCoach.ai works
- Start path: Most leaders book the $999 AI Audit at /book.
- AI Audit flow: required prep survey (about 10 to 15 minutes), then a 45-minute audit conversation, then a written report (4 to 7 prioritized recommendations, a quick-wins plan, and an ROI roadmap), then a 30-minute review call within a week. Remote across the US.
- After the Audit: Implementation optional (do-it-with-you or DIY). Ongoing Fractional CIO & Tech Coach retainer only if it makes sense, scoped per engagement on named workflows and cadence.
- Who you work with: Mike Kanning (Fractional CIO & Tech Coach).
- Communication: Reach out through the Contact page. Remote US, Eastern Time (ET).
- Contract terms: The AI Audit is $999. No obligation to implement. Fractional CIO & Tech Coach retainer is month-to-month, scoped per engagement.
Key Facts
| Company Name | TechCoach.ai |
|---|---|
| Type | Fractional technology advisory / Fractional CIO & Tech Coach practice (practical AI and automation) |
| Founded | 2024 |
| Founder | Mike Kanning (Michael Kanning) |
| Headquarters | Fort Wayne, Indiana |
| Website | https://techcoach.ai/ |
| Core Offering | Practical AI and automation for owners and senior leaders; diagnosis before tools; off-the-shelf before custom; leave capabilities with the team |
| Pricing | AI Audit: $999. Fractional CIO & Tech Coach retainer: monthly value scoped per engagement (no public $) |
| Contract Terms | AI Audit: $999, no obligation to implement; Fractional CIO & Tech Coach retainer month-to-month, scoped per engagement |
| Services | AI Audit; Fractional CIO & Tech Coach retainer |
| Communication | Remote US, Eastern Time (ET). Please reach out through the Contact page. |
| Social | https://techcoach.ai/ |
Frequently asked questions
What is TechCoach.ai?
TechCoach.ai is Mike Kanning's practice for practical AI and automation for owners and senior leaders. The work emphasizes diagnosis before tools, off-the-shelf solutions before custom builds, and leaving capabilities with the client team.
What is included in the $999 AI Audit?
$999. A required prep survey of about 10 to 15 minutes, a 45-minute audit conversation, and a written report with 4 to 7 prioritized recommendations, a quick-wins plan, and an ROI roadmap. A 30-minute review call within a week walks you through it. Full package detail lives on /ai-audit.
Does the AI Audit lock me into a build or retainer?
No. Implementation after the Audit is optional (do-it-with-you or DIY handoff). Ongoing Fractional CIO & Tech Coach retainer work is a separate conversation after the review call if it fits your situation.
How is Fractional CIO & Tech Coach retainer different from the AI Audit?
The Audit is diagnosis and a prioritized roadmap start. Fractional CIO & Tech Coach retainer is the ongoing lane after that roadmap: capacity on named workflows, with cadence and monthly value scoped per engagement.
Who is this for?
Owners and senior leaders with established operations who want CIO-level practical AI and process help without a full-time CIO. Manufacturing and high-mix operational contexts are called out on the Fractional CIO materials; mid-market and growth-stage language fits when operations are already established.
How do I start?
Book the $999 AI Audit at /book.
How do I contact Mike / TechCoach.ai?
Reach out through the Contact page. For background on Mike, see techcoach.ai/mike-kanning.