Latest Articles
- Information – an Office’s Gold
As America moves to service based industries the raw materials needed to bring a service or product to market is information. This is the “gold” in an office. With today’s technology we are able to collect, measure and quantify our leads and customers. The question then becomes what do we do with that information?
- BPs Lack of Seeing the Big Picture
No matter what side of the political fence you fall, BP failed to take the proper quality control measures. As the weeks pass more information is coming to light how the organization cut corners with safety to keep costs down. Safety is not the place to take short cuts. In the long run this can cost you thousands of dollars and possibly your business. In BP’s case it is running in the billions not to mention what it is doing for their stock value. The ramification of poor quality control is costly. So how could a corporation
- Make Your Bottom Line Grow
No matter what size your organization doing things as efficiently as possible is not only ideal it is necessary in the new world economy. One area that can be significantly improved is the office. In fact, 60 to 80% of costs associated with providing a service or product to market is administrative. If you were able to reduce these by one third how much could you increase your cash flow?
- Proper Planning Can Ensure Success
Planning is the backbone of success. Not doing it can cost thousands of dollars, man hours and resources. Proper planning can save you money, increase your cash flow and help fulfill your mission. Here is a simple tool to aid in ensuring your success.
- Working Between Departments Means Faster Cash Flow
When you look at a traditional organizational chart it has silos which contain various departments and the people overseeing and working in those departments. In today’s business climate where information is your company’s gold this can be troublesome. Why, because the right hand may not know what the left hand is doing. We have all [...]
Training, Workshops, Seminars on Lean Office and Increasing Productivity
Certified Lean Office Expert, Trainer and Consultant
Workshop and Training Topics
- Overview of Lean Office: The discussion of what is the goal and techniques of becoming a lean office and what are the wastes that need to be eliminated in order to increase productivity and reduce costs. We also examine the principles of creating standardization as well as mapping administrative processes. This workshop includes practical application using a case study.
- Standardization of Workflow Processes - 5S: A workshop on how to create standardized work in an office environment. We discuss the foundation of a lean organization which is called 5S in the Lean Office system. 5S is creating procedures and the foundation of best practices for any organization. Streamlining can not begin to be examined until standardization is achieved. That is why this is the foundation of any lean office initiative.
- Workflow Management: Examining the components of workflow and tying that into personal and professional goals. Also discussed are methods for implementing the workflow and effective delegation and prioritization. Effective use of resources and tools are also discussed in this workshop.
- Mapping your Flow and Process: We examine different mapping tools to drill down from company mission and goals into actionable improvement of productivity. The workshop looks at company objectives and the areas that are causing the most resource drain on an organization. How to determine which area in the administrative environment will be examined and how to map the flow of the information and work through an administrative function or area.
Past Audience Feedback:
"Practical, useful information for any business, but especially to small nonprofits with limited budgets."
Steve McLaughlin
Action Towards Independence
"Thank you, material is immediately useable and implementable."
Doug Hovey
Independent Living, Inc.
"Cynthia's is a true human being and brings experience and value to daily business."
Candace Behensky
Liberty Mutual
"Very informative seminar! Cindy is a great speaker. She used real life examples of her clients. I was able to take actionable concepts to use in my practice."
Paul Rafanello
Paul Rafanello, CPA, PLLC
"The information presented made me think about how to do things on a daily basis. I think this knowledge will help me increase my sales and in turn my salary."
Peter Stefonowich
Donald B. Dedrick Agency
"Thanks again for your very valuable seminar yesterday. You are very energetic and obviously an expert in your field. I wish you much success in your work."
Alvin Taylor
United States Military Academy at West Point
"...You gave the youth members some excellent, clear points about how to be more organized and focused on achieving their goals.
"Your tips on the importance of knowing your target audience's wants and not just what you have to offer will be a great asset to them as they write their college essays and job resumes....In addition to the tangible action steps you shared, you also inspired and motivated them to remember to "persevere - know where they want to go - and not be afraid of failure..."
Rachel Wilson, Advisor
Orange County Youth Leadership & Service Council
She was so realistic. Other seminars I’ve been to like this left me feeling like “how will I apply this”, I did not feel this way. I am leaving feeling like I have some good building blocks"
Sheri Caslin
Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY
Hudson Valley Business Edge 2008:
"I think this would be a great seminar for all bosses and employees with a follow-up discussion about how to make your business efficient, effective and productive!"
Becky Tenckinck
Mary Kay Seminar:
"Very inspirational – I’m actually excited to implement what I’ve learned and change my life as well as my employer’s."
Christine McDowel
Mary Kay Cosmetics
"A 'get-to-the-heart of what's going on' presentation that was interesting and engaging as well as very useful. I like the tangible tools I can implement today....Thank you! "
Marci Gurton
Big Brothers Big Sisters of OC
"The information presented was definitely 'food for thought'! It's made me look differently at the piles and clutter in my life (both at work and at home) and rethink how I can turn the negatives into positives. Your presentation also reinforced some of the things I'm already doing and the affirmation felt great! Thank you!"
Gerie Dunn
Orange County – MRC
Lean Office Benefits - OCCC Consultants Workshop
Hidden Waste in the Office
Batching in an Office
Hudson Valley Business Edge...It's A Matter of Time
National Women's In Network Matrix...Superwoman is a Myth
About Cynthia Marsh-Croll
Certified Lean Office expert Cynthia Marsh-Croll is the owner of Croll Productive Synergy located in Westtown, New York. Ms. Marsh-Croll has twenty years experience in multiple business settings including operating her own business. Ms. Marsh-Croll is also a Magna Cum Lauda graduate of Kean College in Union, New Jersey and Lean Office Certified through the University of Michigan. She has worked with professionals from the point-of-sales software industry, mortgage, insurance, legal and financial industries to name a few.
Ms. Marsh-Croll has given seminars and workshops for such nonprofits as West Point American Society of Military Comptrollers, Orange County Youth Bureau, Mental Health Association in Orange County, Inc., Youth Development Action Team, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Middletown Business Professional Women’s Club. She has also presented personal productivity workshops at Sullivan County College and Maris College, Goshen Center. She presents workshops annually in the Hudson Valley Business Edge conference as well as the National Women’s in Network Matrix event. A complete list of previous speaking engagements can be found on her website. Ms. Marsh-Croll is passionate about educating fellow business owners and employees on how they can increase their profits, productivity and reduce costs through consultations, training and implementing Lean Office principles.
Ms. Marsh-Croll is Co-Chair of the Consultants Committee and a member of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Committee. She received the Outstanding Business-Community Partner Award in 2009 for her volunteer work with the Orange County Youth Bureau. Ms. Marsh-Croll had a recurring organizing tip column in the Florida Onion and published articles in the Hudson Valley Business Journal as well as contributing to the Putnam Examiner Spotlight and Claudia’s Corner in the Times Herald Record. She is also a 2007 Business Idol finalist. Ms. Marsh-Croll is a member of the Lean Enterprise Institute, The Association for Operations Management, National Association of Professional Organizers, Orange County Chamber of Commerce, The Broome Street Band and Co-Chair of the Orange County Chamber Consultants Committee.