Last week I, Iris, sat down with Ariën for a conversation. Ariën is one of the Founding Partners of BusinessAdvisors.Network. We discussed his career as a Partner and Chartered Accountant (RA) at PwC, the strength and future of BA.N but also the changing audit profession and his choice to stop as a Partner at PwC and to work as a consultant. Curious about what was discussed? Then click on the image above!

"There are just a lot of really great companies around. With all of them something challenging is going on, forced or from opportunities
beautiful plans need to be made and we hit the ground running with the execution of them" - Ariën

Iris: Please introduce yourself!  

Ariën: Ariën van den Berg, I have worked for PwC for over 35 years of which a long period as a Partner. During that time, I was able to help a wide range of companies, both here in the Netherlands but also in the US and in the Dutch Caribbean. I was particularly involved with family businesses, many in construction and engineering technology but also other sectors and in all shapes and sizes. From smaller national companies to large international players. I focused a lot on the manufacturing industry; industrial companies, construction, real estate and engineering. The assignments varied from audit to consultancy assignments, mergers, acquisitions and complex (international) projects. I have enjoyed doing this for many years, but the changes in the accountancy world, whereby the focus on the real client's business and issues was decreasing, made me reconsider. Because I feel very comfortable with and get a lot of fun out of working together to organize the business for now and the coming years, I made the switch to the other side of the table. Not in the CFO/CEO role but mainly as an advisor and supervisor. Advisor to family, the owner/ director, the board and this in a multitude of issues.

Iris: You just spoke about the issue of sustainability and the BA.N site also writes about the issues becoming more complex. Where else do you see this reflected and how can BA.N contribute to solving these issues? What makes BA.N unique?

Ariën: Of course, there is an incredible amount happening now at a rapid pace. Doing business internationally, the expectations around sustainability, what is expected of you in terms of compliance and so on. In the 'old days' you could turn to your accountant or banker for this, but they now have an increasingly defined task and assignment.  There is a greater need for advisors with a great deal of experience, who can assist the board as a board advisor on all kinds of issues and who are focused on safeguarding the future, profitability, and success of companies. 
The BA.N advisors distinguish themselves in this because they have simply spent years acting in all kinds of settings and issues, in different industries and at a high level. This experience allows us to quickly recognize when there are opportunities or red flags that need to be addressed. If you're involved in a company as a board member or shareholder, have been able to steer a stable course for years but you're now going to experience challenges, then you need help to make that transition to the next phase.

Iris: Nice to notice that you get excited when we talk about this! What is your personal strength? Within BA.N but also as a consultant? 

Ariën: My creativity, out of the box thinking, recognizing the underlying issues and making sure you can work towards solutions from there. Besides that, I am trained as an accountant and because of my education and years of experience in different sectors, I can easily analyze issues, financial or non-financial issues. I quickly see red flags and opportunities. I don't think in problems but always focus on solutions.   I am also good at making the connection between what you see in the figures and the underlying business. People who know me say that I am anybody but the stereotypical accountant!

Iris: Of course I don't want to lump all accountants together, but you don't strike me as the typical accountant.  You mentioned earlier that you have worked a lot with family businesses and companies in the 'manufacturing industry'. Are there any other types of industry that you would like to be involved with?

Ariën: I find that difficult to say here because I don't want to exclude anything. The most important thing is to operate from your strength. There are just so many great companies. Wherever something is going on, whether it's forced or from opportunities, plans must be made, and your BA.N advisor hits the ground running.!

Iris: I get what you're saying. Especially with the wide range of companies you are already (have been) involved with, it would be a shame to paint a picture now that is more limited in terms of breadth. What is important for you to be successful in over the next period, say, the next year? 

Ariën: Creating a successful business advisor network. Building a nice platform with people with a lot of experience, which allows us to advise clients at a high level. In doing so, we can use each other to the maximum from the way we complement each other. In short: getting BA.N off the ground successfully with a nice network of advisors and clients who are happy with our help. 

Iris: That makes us happy! Following on from that, I'm very curious to know how you see BA.N in 5 years time? Nice cliché question by the way. 

Ariën: We'll be a network of 30 to 40 advisors, we'll have an amazing client base, we get new work based on referral by clients or our consultants. In addition, we have a nice selection of consultancy assignments.

We would love companies that are facing a challenge to immediately think of BA.N for help and we want to be recognized as a party for Solutions for Business! You know that song, right? 'Who you gonna call? Ghost Busters! Would be nice if one were to say there 'Who you gonna call?  BA.N's advisors!" from that!