Experts in providing solutions to real business challenges.
Call us to see how we can help.
Whatever business challenges you’re facing, we’ve got the experience to help you overcome them.
Whether you need someone to help you raise finance, do your year-end accounts and payroll, or provide an outsourced bookkeeping service, we can help you.
In addition, we can provide strategic business planning, restructuring and funding advice, business forecasting and planning and a Finance Director service.
Kaizen has accountancy at its core, but, crucially, we’re also fluent in strategy, direction, operational efficiency and spotting opportunity.
We know what the numbers represent, what they’re hiding, where there’s untapped potential, where problems may lie ahead.
Call us to help you find the answers.
No.1
Numbers are significant and give us a clear indication of where your business is now. Still, there's far more to business development, and each area of the business has a vital part to play in arriving at whatever the numbers represent.
We learn equally as much by talking to you and key team members about your concerns, ideas and goals.
Only when we fully understand you and your business and feel that we have established the full picture, do we start to discuss what's needed in terms of business support and planning.
No.2
One of the hardest things in business, especially for owner-managed SMEs, is having the sole responsibility for every decision.
We'll not only be a sounding board for your plans and ideas, but we'll also ask questions and 'stress-test' your approach.
We'll offer you a balanced perspective from the advantageous position of having got to know you and your business from the outside, and having experience of working with other companies in similar situations to yours.
Whatever you want to achieve for your business, we’ll be here to listen, learn and support you every step of the way.
No.3
It's a given that you'd expect us to be fully qualified in our relevant fields. However, when it comes to running a business, you need more than technical advice and business manual answers.
Kaizen brings a depth of experience and working knowledge that's applied and explained in such a way as to become a practical and workable plan, packed with sound commercial advice.
Our combined experience comes from working in senior positions in owner-managed businesses in the UK and further afield.
No.4
No two businesses operate the same in any industry, which is why we adopt a completely open mind and bespoke approach to whatever support your business may need.
Having listened and learned about what's happening in your business, what may be blocking your progress and where you may be missing opportunities, we help you to get that sorted.
We don't apply a formula or follow a manual; we simply create a plan to get your business where you want it to be. Together, we set about implementation, one practical and logical step after another.
No.5
We get it! We run our own business; we’ve run other businesses in the past too.
We know what it's like to be where you are now, how passionate and protective you are of what you've built, the challenges you face and the plans you have for the future.
We also know you're busy and have lots of priorities, so we bring practical and actionable advice that gets the job done and your business on the right track.
No.6
We’ve worked in and with owner-managed businesses for many years.
We know how important it is to get the level, tone and flow of communication just right.
We talk fluent business, but not 'business-speak'.
We talk your language and we’re here when you need us.
The client was a technically specialised and niche group of companies involved in developing innovations in medical research and diagnostics within the healthcare sector.
This group of six separate and individually managed businesses needed financial expertise and advanced accountancy support. Each company was highly reliant on research grants, development funding, and a mixture of private and public investment. Although UK-owned and based, the group has investment connections with China-based partners.
We brought the combined expertise of the management teams made up of sector specialists, clinicians and scientists, as well as business directors, together with strategic and financial advice. This covered everything from negotiating complex arrangements for re-claiming R&D tax credits across the various projects within the group, to advising on a new share issue involving Chinese investment partners and shareholders. The team provided practical advice and support; managing specialised areas such as import taxation and audit certificates. They also secured vital sources of grant financing.
When the owner of a marine equipment manufacturer needed an interim Finance Director, Darren landed the job. Initially expected to be for just 6 months...10 years later he was Part-time CFO assisting with the sale of the business.
The company’s list of objectives was long, ambitious, but achievable. Working closely together, the Kaizen and client team optimised business growth by building internal systems, developing a sound financial and commercial strategy and executing its plans through its key commitment to its staff development programmes.
We designed a rigorous financial reporting system and then set about forming and supporting a team to maintain the necessary level of reporting and analysis. This solid foundation work formed the basis of the company becoming far more forward-focused and in a position to considerably increase its turnover in 8 years.
Working alongside CEO and senior management team, we supported a 9-month programme of preparation for acquisition of the company by a global PLC. We liaised with client staff, transaction teams and auditors, helping them to close the deal on schedule.
Having successfully formed, built and sold one company, the entrepreneur turned his attention to a new venture. He naturally engaged Kaizen's help from day one to provide complete financial management and strategic business support.
Although comfortable working in hostile territory and war zones, this construction company called for reinforcements to help tackle complex business arrangements encountered by its international subsidiaries.
Plenty of things can go wrong on an international government contract; language barriers, foreign currency issues, local employment regulations, and overseas taxation and auditing procedures are just the start!
Running a multi-location international business operation is bound to throw up the odd curve-ball now and again. Kaizen’s flexible approach and commitment to provide client solutions with a can-do attitude makes them an ideal partner.
Operational matters were streamlined, improving their management reporting and cashflow forecasting, as well as satisfying their various tax obligations, both in the UK and abroad. Kaizen has worked with this client for six years, during which time the company turnover has grown by well over 700%.
The business development programme, ‘For Entrepreneurs Only' referred this exciting young business to Kaizen to help them prepare for the next stage of their business journey.
Despite having a good idea about what it would take to ’step-up’, the business owners needed help in finding and engaging the right type and level of support to help them do it.
We were initially engaged to deliver a business vision planning session, which developed into an increasing level of targeted support. The management team have been fully supported whilst overcoming issues as they arise and moving towards achieving their ultimate goal.
Financial information and reporting were quickly identified as needing strengthening, which led to our team designing and implementing monthly management account routines and finance systems. Quarterly planning sessions saw the business becoming more pro-active with their ideas, and in control of their future direction rather than just reacting to 'events'.
We now have a wide-ranging brief to provide guidance, support, and troubleshooting insight as well as financial management. We’ve helped to raise substantial working capital to satisfy increasing demand and to secure the investment required to service and protect essential contracts.
During the 5-year relationship, the business has achieved a steady and healthy 200% growth and is in a strong position to develop in a controlled, planned and strategically managed way.
With over 30 years’ experience of running and advising owner-managed businesses, both in the UK and internationally, Darren has a successful track record of working with businesses looking to implement growth strategies, and also with underperforming companies needing to change and adapt in challenging situations.
He has worked in a number of Finance Director roles, with companies ranging from £1m to £35m annual turnover. His hallmark is to provide tailored solutions to the business’s individual needs, building capacity and competence at a pace it can cope with to build sustainable value.
Darren established Kaizen Consulting 11 years ago, to provide a dynamic consultancy service to SMEs, and he understands the day-to-day challenges that owner-managed SMEs businesses face.
He recognises the value of individually skilled, experienced and talented people, and has built the Kaizen team following that multi-disciplinary specialist ethos.
Phil joined Kaizen as Director of Business Development in 2012, and has focussed on developing a strong reputation for advising start ups and early stage businesses as they navigate through their development.
As a business owner himself, he’s been advising SMEs for 14 years.
He's our 'go-to' person for the latest information and available opportunities for government grant funding and finance schemes.
His empathic approach to working with people on their businesses make him an ideal business coach and mentor.
Shelley joins Kaizen as a Senior Management Accountant.
She recently left the role of Financial Controller in a fast-paced SME after helping the business transition to PLC ownership.
Her extensive experience in delivering high quality management information to a demanding Board means she can quickly evaluate financial information and focus on the things that really matter.
Shelley has successfully implemented ERP systems and processes in very challenging environments.
If you need more management information for your business or want to discuss ERP systems and processes, talk to Shelley.
Kath joins the team as Senior Project Consultant after previously working in several fast-paced SME businesses.
Throughout her career she has focussed on work flow processes, leadership, knowledge sharing, process management and analytical thinking.
Whether you’re looking to improve your current systems and processes or implement a new ERP system, Kath is the person to talk to.
Darren will add consistent huge value to you personally, as well as his invaluable insights to your business.
I met Phil when we were an early stage start-up; his support over the last two years has been fantastic and has helped us successfully launch commercially. I highly recommend his business planning process, it will open your eyes to what is possible!
From the moment I first met Darren during my first meeting with him, I knew he was different. I wasn’t quite sure what I was in for but I was looking for something different, I was looking for a challenge. And that is exactly what I received over the next five plus years.
We met Darren and Phil two years ago and had no hesitation in engaging with them. In just six months they transformed the way we operate. We have a focused development plan and they have made considerable tax savings for us in addition to securing grant funding which is accelerating our growth.
We are a rapidly growing business and needed support to manage the growth. Kaizen came highly recommended and I have been delighted with their down to earth approach; the advice and support is making a huge difference to the way we operate and it is reassuring to have someone from outside the business to turn to.
Darren ‘walks the walk’ and ‘talks the talk’. Very rare to see both in one person.
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