We started with a simple question that nobody seemed to ask
Back in 2019, while working with small business owners in Singapore, I noticed something odd. Everyone treated their budgets like they were carved in stone. January's numbers had to work for July. December's planning had to somehow predict the following August.
Seasonal patterns were obvious, but planning wasn't flexible
The retail businesses would see spikes during year-end holidays. Food services had different peak months depending on weather and local events. Yet their financial planning remained rigid, forcing square pegs into round holes month after month.
So we built Zistinella around the idea that budgets should breathe with your business cycle. Not revolutionary—just practical. Your cash flow changes with the seasons, and your planning should too.
How we actually work with clients
Map your business rhythm first
We spend time understanding when your money comes in and goes out. Not just the obvious patterns—we look at supplier payment terms, customer payment behaviors, even how local weather affects your sector. This takes a few weeks because rushing it means missing important details.
Build adjustment triggers into planning
Instead of fixed annual budgets, we create flexible frameworks with clear trigger points. When certain conditions happen—sales hit a threshold, inventory levels change, market conditions shift—your budget adjusts accordingly. You're not constantly revising plans; the system adapts.
Review what happened, not just what's planned
Every quarter we look back at actual patterns versus predictions. This isn't about being right or wrong—it's about learning what your business is telling you. Sometimes the data reveals opportunities you didn't know existed. Other times it shows warning signs before they become problems.
Who's behind this approach
Zistinella isn't a large firm with departments and hierarchies. We're a small team that works directly with clients, bringing different perspectives to financial planning that goes beyond spreadsheets.
Linnea Thorsén
Founder & Financial StrategistBefore starting Zistinella, I spent eight years helping businesses with traditional financial planning—and honestly, watching the same problems repeat. Clients would struggle when reality didn't match their annual forecast, but we'd just tell them to "stick to the plan."
That never sat right with me. Business isn't linear, so why should planning be? I started experimenting with seasonal adjustment models for a few clients willing to try something different. The results spoke for themselves—better cash flow management, fewer crisis moments, more strategic decision-making.
Now we help businesses across Singapore build financial plans that actually reflect how they operate. Some months need tighter controls, others allow for expansion. The key is knowing which is which before you need to.
Financial planning that moves with your business
We're not trying to predict the future perfectly. We're building systems that help you respond to it intelligently. If you're tired of fighting against rigid budgets that don't match your business reality, let's talk about what adaptive planning could do for you.
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