About Me

Richard Darby

The "Bottleneck Buster" for Small Businesses

 I’ve spent 34 years inside some of the world’s biggest operations. GE. British Airways. Nielsen.

I learned exactly how things break. 

And, more importantly, how to fix them.

I’ve got the Black Belt. And the corporate credentials to prove it.

But here’s what I’ve realised. Most small business owners don’t want a 50-page methodology. 

They want their Friday nights back. And a healthier bottom line.

So that’s what I help with. I find the bottlenecks. I cut the wasted time. I fix the broken processes. 

All with simple, practical tools. 

Tools that work on a Monday morning, not just in a boardroom.

No jargon. No corporate speak. Just a better flow.

Rich

Why Work With Me?

Think of me as your operational shortcut. I’ve managed teams of hundreds and saved global firms millions, but my true passion is stripping away the complexity to help smaller teams move faster.

  • Deep Experience: Decades of leadership in continuous improvement and digital transformation.
  • Simple Tools: I translate “Lean Six Sigma” into “The Bottleneck Buster Method” practical frameworks you can use on Monday morning.
  • Results-Driven: My background is built on delivering high-impact wins, from slashing cycle times to massive cost reductions.

Real-World Wins

I’m all about the “quick win” that leads to long-term gain. Here is a snapshot of what my methods have delivered:

  • The “Speed Demon” Project: Redesigned a workflow that cut processing time by 30% in just one year, letting the team breathe again.
  • The “Waste Warrior” Initiative: Implemented a simple “tollgate” system that reduced cycle times by 15 days and ensured customers got what they needed, exactly when they needed it.
  • The “Cash Flow” Fix: Identified hidden inefficiencies that slashed operational costs by over $5M through smart, simple digital tweaks.


The “Quality Quick-Fix”: Overhauled a shop layout to reduce defects by a staggering 80%, proving that how you organize your space dictates your success.

Small business wins
Small business audit

How I Can Help You

Whether it’s a quick Small Business Bottleneck Finder assessment or a deep-dive Better Flow Audit, my goal is to give you the tools and the methodology to get results fast.

Contact