Many businesses should be patting themselves on the back for simply surviving the past two unprecedented years. For a large number, growth was out of the question.
But one firm in built and natural environment consulting is bucking the trend to “duck and cover” through the numerous financial and other challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Zealand planning and environmental services firm 4Sight Consulting reports it has grown in revenue over the past two years. On top of the expansion, clients are happier than ever – evidenced by the firm’s recent success at the 2022 Client Choice Awards.
The results were shared with beaton after 4Sight was awarded the title of Best Planning Firm (less than $30m revenue) at the annual Client Choice Awards.
“We were all absolutely thrilled to be announced a finalist and later a winner,” said the firm’s Managing Director Aaron Andrew.
“Maintaining this level of client service while growing, along with all the challenges we have faced over the last two years, is a real testament to the team, their technical ability, resilience and the thriving relationships they hold with our clients.”
As the name suggests, the Client Choice Awards are unique in that they are chosen not by faceless judging panels or designated industry “experts”. They are awarded based on feedback from arguably the most important judges of all: clients.
More than 250 firms from across Australia and New Zealand entered the awards in 2022, and winners were judged from more than 15,000 pieces of individual client feedback submitted to beaton. Awards were judged across four categories of accounting and consulting services, built and natural environment consulting, law and related services, and specialist IP and related services.
Mr Andrew said he believed his firm’s emphasis on hiring and keeping great people with common values was a key to its continued success.
“Together, we have a strong sense of common purpose, and every day we strive to live our values: believe in better, act with integrity, thrive together, and apply these to everything we do,” he said.
Like everyone, 4Sight has navigated its share of challenges in the past two years. However, the team – which is spread across eight offices in New Zealand – readily adapted to remote working amid the pandemic, utilising technology to maintain regular communication with clients.
“We have utilised Microsoft Teams and Zoom to stay in touch with our clients and have always reiterated that we are available as and when they need us. They know they can pick up the phone or schedule in a remote meeting and we will always make time for them,” Mr Andrew said.
Mr Andrew adds that keeping up staff morale and team collegiality has been essential during the periods of isolation that COVID-19 lockdowns created.
“We constantly share our day-to-day success stories in our weekly internal communications, at our monthly company meeting, and via social media,” said Mr Andrew.
“But I am really looking forward to bringing the whole team together (we are spread over 8 offices across New Zealand) and celebrating this achievement at our annual Matariki Cocktail Evening along with our clients (COVID restrictions permitting of course).”
4Sight Consulting was named the Best Planning Firm (<$30m revenue) in the 2022 Client Choice Awards. This award is presented in partnership with Deltek.
The Client Choice Awards rewards firms for excellent client service, technical expertise, innovation and client experience. It is the only multi-profession and fully client-judged awards anywhere in the world. The Principal Partner of the Awards is NAB.
Enter your firm for the 2023 Awards here.
