BUILD A BETTER BUSINESS
Guiding You Through Complexity to Business Mastery
Business Management Consulting
ISO Certification & Quality Management
Financial Management
Welcome to Reach to Achieve with Martin Connolly
I help you achieve business excellence through:
Practical systems that turn complexity into efficiency.
Keeping the emphasis at all times on focus and simplicity!
Financial insights that transform data into strategic decisions.
Keeping the emphasis at all times on focus and simplicity!
If you’re running a business and you want to:
Win more business.
Boost operational efficiency.
Increase your credibility and reputation.
Reduce your business risks.
Achieve measurable cost savings.
Increase profits
Appreciate the importance of aligning financial AND non-financial skills
Lower your stress, boost confidence, improve your results
Have some fun in the process!
you’re in the right place.
About Martin Connolly
Meet the Expert Behind Reach to Achieve Consulting (“Reach to Achieve”)
Martin Connolly is the Principal Consultant and founder of Reach to Achieve, bringing over 30 years of experience in business,quality, and financial management to organisations across Australia and Asia. As a Chartered Accountant (CA), Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD), and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (FAIM), Martin combines technical expertise with practical business acumen and a proven track record.
The Approach That Sets Him Apart
What truly distinguishes Martin is his unique ability to transform complexity into clarity. Where others see overwhelming standards and procedures, Martin sees opportunities for streamlined systems that deliver real business results.
SYSTEMS run businesses
PEOPLE run systems
All systems are made up of PROCESSES
Martin has perfected the art of making the complex simple, developing practical frameworks that turn management systems from bureaucratic burdens into strategic assets. His clients don't just achieve certification—they experience tangible business transformation.
A Track Record of Transformation — Case Studies
Martin's expertise extends beyond theory to real-world results:
For Established Businesses
For R. Moore & Sons, a century-old diesel engineering business, Martin evolved from supporting ISO certification to becoming a valued strategic advisor over a 20-year relationship. His contributions have helped this family-owned business maintain its leadership position while navigating changing industry demands.
For Growth-Stage Companies
When Proseal CS, a small construction company, needed a framework to deliver on their ambitious plans, Martin developed a tailored Business Management System that enabled them to win major contracts previously out of reach. He also restructured their accounting system to provide meaningful management reports aligned with their Reach to Achieve BMS operational structure, transforming them into a professionally managed business unit.
For Community Organisations
Martin demonstrated the versatility of his business principles by transforming the Belmont Junior Soccer Club from an insolvent organisation with declining membership into a thriving community asset. Within three years, he achieved a 200% increase in membership and turned an $8K deficit into a $13K surplus while implementing proper governance and strategic planning.
A Different Kind of Business Consultant
Martin is known for his authenticity, humour, patience, empathy and ability to relate to stakeholders at all levels of an organisation. Often compared to Billy Connolly rather than Martin Connolly, he brings energy and clarity to every engagement while maintaining commercial astuteness and strategic insight.
For Public Sector Organisations
At the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council (“EMRC”), Martin implemented an innovative business management system (based around ISO framework and principles) that was "clear, concise, and far more user-friendly than traditional ISO 9001 documentation models." His work was so compelling that the CEO, Peter Schneider, later engaged him at multiple organisations throughout his career.
He specialises in:
Business Management Systems development and implementation
ISO certification (9001, 14001, 45001, ) and integration aligned with ISO 31000 on Risk Management
Governance systems Board Advisory
Business Transformation
Strategic planning and business scorecards
Process analysis, mapping, and redesign
Financial management and reporting
Executive coaching and board reporting
The Martin Connolly Promise
"I've spent 30 years simplifying complex standards into practical, results-oriented frameworks. My approach transforms businesses not just on paper, but in reality—helping them win more tenders, reduce costs, improve efficiencies, build stronger reputations, and ultimately achieve the freedom, peace of mind, and fulfillment that comes from running a business that works for you, not the other way around."
Our Vision
To enhance the efficiency and profitability of our clients' businesses and lives. We achieve this by scrutinising their management systems and their seamless integration with people and processes. Our comprehensive approach involves consulting, training, and life coaching services, all aimed at fostering success and well-being. To enhance the efficiency and profitability of our clients' businesses and lives. We achieve this by scrutinising their management systems and their seamless integration with people and processes. Our comprehensive approach involves consulting, training, and life coaching services, all aimed at fostering success and well-being.
Qualifications and Expertise
Chartered Accountant (CA) (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland )– big thing Rosemary – it’s THE original institute, the worlds first professional body of accountants receiving its Royal Charter in 1854! I am super proud of that and from a website perspective it has to have global reach for website, no ? and ties in with Kate’s and your emphasis of my Scottishness!)
Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD) the worlds largest director network – again may have global reach for SEO AND ADDS TO THE PRESTIGE
Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (FAIM), Australia’s foremost training organisation again prestige thing
Cert IV Training & Assessment – (Nationally Recognised Qualification that leads to vocational qualifications and credentials recognised across Australia) again prestige thing and good for SEO searches?
Don’t know if you wanted to put in my Bachelor of Education B.Ed – Qualified Teacher – again just emphasising the Educator in me?
Dip Acc – post graduate diploma in Accounting – this was a prerequisite entry level to start the journey to become a Chartered Accountant in Scotland – was a torturous journey haha!
30+ years of experience in business, quality, and financial management
Preferred consultant for SAI Global and strategic alliances with Lloyds Register, SGS Australia & BVQI – strong relationships with all the major certification bodies in Australia
Ready to Transform Your Business?
Book a no-obligation strategy session with Martin to discover how his practical, results-oriented approach can help you achieve business excellence through systems that work. Business Management? It all starts with a bowl of fruit and a smiley face!
SERVICES
Business Management Consulting
Turn Business Complexity Into Strategic Clarity
At Reach to Achieve, we help you transform complex business challenges into practical solutions that deliver real results. Our services are carefully designed to help you run a better business with greater efficiency, profitability, and peace of mind – And have fun in the process!
Do you find yourself working harder but not seeing the results? Are you struggling to take your business to the next level? Our Business Management Consulting services help you build the systems, people, and processes needed to achieve sustainable growth and excellence.
Our Approach
We use our proven “VRP” / “SOS” methodology to help you see your business with fresh eyes:
VRP
VISUALISE what your business could look like when running like a well-oiled, efficient and profitable machine.
REALISE what the business actually looks like in reality.
PRIORITISE the most important areas to improve first once we have clearly identified the gaps.
SOS
STRATEGY – the thinking and planning -, looking at the big picture, considering business functional structure, governance, leadership, vision, risk-based thinking, stakeholder engagement and management, standards
OPERATIONS – the “doing” what you actually do – whats your products or services you produce which add value, make your customers want to purchase from you!
SUPPORT – the support stuff! operations critical support mechanisms, including customer management, supplier management, sales & marketing, finance, IT, HR, Admin
Success Story
"Martin helped us turn our business into a professionally run and managed unit. We had grand plans but no framework to deliver. Now we have a Business Management System perfectly tailored to our needs that has helped us win major contracts that would have been impossible otherwise. We simply wouldn't be where we are today without his guidance and extensive business experience." - Steve Turpin, Director, Proseal CS
"Martin's approach transformed our ISO thinking from compliance burden to competitive advantage. His SOS methodology showed us that ISO thinking works even without certification - it's business focus first, certification second. This mindset shift alone helped us win contracts we never thought possible."
— Turpin Jane
What We Deliver
Business Management Systems (BMS)
We design, develop, and implement comprehensive management systems that align your operations with your strategic goals. Our approach integrates quality, safety, environmental, risk and financial considerations into a cohesive easy to follow framework.
Strategic Planning & Business Scorecards
We facilitate strategic planning processes that clarify your vision, mission, and objectives, then develop practical scorecards to track progress against these goals. This creates alignment, accountability, and focus throughout your organisation.
Process Analysis, Mapping & Redesign
We analyse your core business processes, identify inefficiencies, and redesign workflows to eliminate waste and maximise value. Our visual process mapping techniques make complex operations easy to understand and improve.
Executive Coaching & Board Reporting
We provide coaching to executives and managers, helping them develop the skills needed to lead effectively. We also design board reporting systems that deliver the right information in the right format to support sound decision-making. AND we work with Boards, MD’s GM’s to have fun in the process yes fun because we recognise it’s a lonely life at the top! That’s why we focus on lowering your stress, boost confidence to help you achieve those strategic goals that can be the cause of so much of your stress! A consultant with over 30 years of experience “who’s been there and bought the T shirt!” Someone with empathy but strategic thinking in achieving results no waffle!
Ready to Transform Your Business?
Book a complimentary Business Strategy Session to explore how our business management consulting can help you achieve sustainable growth and excellence.
ISO Certification & Quality Management
From Compliance Burden to Strategic Advantage
Are you thinking about ISO certification but don't know where to start?
Do you have existing systems that have become cumbersome paperwork exercises?
Our Quality Management services transform complex standards into strategic assets that drive growth, efficiency, and market access. Martin’s unique and super simple approach to ISO Gap Analysis makes the understanding of what a Gap Analysis is in plain Scottish lower your stress and get the outcomes you want!
Why Choose ISO Certification?
Win More Business
Qualify for lucrative government and corporate tenders.
Access new markets that require certification as entry criteria.
Gain competitive advantage over non-certified competitors.
Boost Operational Efficiency
Streamline processes to eliminate waste and duplication.
Standardise procedures for consistent, reliable outputs.
Identify and resolve inefficiencies systematically.
Reduce Business Risks
Proactively identify and mitigate potential problems.
Lower the likelihood of incidents and compliance breaches.
Meet regulatory requirements with confidence.
Lower insurance premiums – annual and ongoing
Achieve Measurable Cost Savings
Decrease waste, errors, and rework.
Potentially reduce insurance premiums.
Optimise resource management across your organisation.
Very easy to align with LEAN philosophy for those organisations using LEAN but not sure if worthwhile to commit to ISO certification
Enhance Your Reputation
Build credibility with third-party validation of your practices.
Increase customer confidence in your products and services.
Demonstrate your commitment to quality, safety, and environmental responsibility.
Demonstrate your commitment to strategic and operational excellence in not only a stakeholder management sense but making a financial investment in your business and your team!
Shows a discipline and commitment that reflects well on your organisation’s approach to business excellence with integrity
Our Services
Integrated Management Systems
We develop integrated systems that align with your business strategies and operational needs, avoiding the complexity and duplication of separate systems.
Internal Auditing & Compliance
We design internal audit programs and conduct internal audits tailored specifically for your business that ensure ongoing compliance while identifying improvement opportunities. We call this our “compliance vs value add approach” No one else is doing ISO internal audits this way
System Maintenance & Improvement
We provide ongoing support to ensure your management systems remain effective, efficient, and aligned with your changing business needs.
ISO Certification Assistance
We guide you through the entire certification process for:
ISO 9001 (Quality Management)
ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management)
ISO 31000 (Risk Management) although certification isn’t required Risk Management is embedded across 9001, 14001 and 45001 standards
Success Story
Martin has been working with R. Moore & Sons for in excess of the last 20 years. He initially started to provide practical support and compliance to our Certified Management System and over the period has grown to be a valued contributor to our management team. He has been proactive in steering continual improvement in our Business Management System and meeting the requirements of ISO both in terms of maintaining and auditing the robustness of our system."
— Terry Kelsall, Director, R. Moore & Sons, Diesel Engineers
"Martin's approach transformed our ISO thinking from compliance burden to competitive advantage. His SOS methodology showed us that ISO thinking works even without certification - it's business focus first, certification second. This mindset shift alone helped us win contracts we never thought possible."
— Turpin Jane
Get Started With No Obligation
For businesses new to ISO, book a free strategy session to map your certification journey with clear guidance on first steps and priorities.
For businesses with existing systems, request a complimentary review of your current framework with a one-page roadmap to revitalize ineffective systems.