Consultant gets creative for businesses

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Nov 30, 1999 by Michael Hooper Capital-Journal

Topeka woman helps others reach their goals.

STEPPING IN, STEPPING UP

(salinity) Company revamps

its hiring process,

Page 3-C

PERSONAL BUSINESS

Name: Cynthia Stotlar

Occupation: Owner of Creative Business Solutions, a consulting service.

Education: Master's degree in adult education from Central Michigan University, certified Senior Professional of Human Resources.

Quote: "I've had the pleasure of working with some presidents and managers who really care about their employees. I try to become part of their family."

By MICHAEL HOOPER

The Capital-Journal

Cynthia Stotlar couldn't find the job she wanted when she arrived in Topeka in 1992.

So she created it.

With a background in human resources, she started Creative Business Solutions as a resource for helping businesses improve the quality of their recruiting, training and evaluation. She offers more than 30 training programs and carries a variety of assessment tools for pre-employment and performance appraisals.

"It's been a lifestyle business," Stotlar said. "But in the next five years, it will become more like a formal corporate business with additional services."

Over the past five years, Stotlar has developed a reputation as a business consultant who strives to help her clients achieve their goals.

"Cynthia is a wonderful person. She's very easy to work with," said Kellie Keith-Hays, vice president and human resource director at Commerce Bank and Trust Co. of Topeka.

Four years ago, Stotlar helped Commerce Bank develop a performance feedback program for its management staff. The 360-degree performance appraisal system is a confidential way for staff and peers to evaluate managers.

Another one of Stotlar's clients is AmeriPride Linen and Apparel. There, she developed an appraisal system to improve its customer service. To understand the business, she rode with two customer service representatives and interviewed others in a focus group.

Stotlar said her business became successful after she:

1) Joined the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce. She is chairwoman of the Chamber's Partnership for Quality committee.

2) Joined the local chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.

She said she never sells a company a service it doesn't need. And she isn't afraid to refer work to a competitor if she can't do it.

"I believe in the 'Miracle on 34th Street' approach," she said. "If a client needs something I cannot offer, I will work to find them a resource for what they do need."

Because she works out of her home, her husband, Dave, equipped it with three computers, which are networked together; a fax machine; two scanners; and a copy machine. They have a high-speed Internet access line. She depends heavily on e-mail.

With such technology, she said, she can communicate with more than 100 people each week.

Dave Stotlar is working on a Web site to be unveiled in the spring. Next year, they plan to introduce business software products.

An expert in information technology, Dave Stotlar recently left his job at Security Benefit Group of Cos. to become a full-time consultant.

Stotlar said she works six days a week, often up to 12 hours a day, but she is her own boss.

Initially, she didn't earn much money as a consultant, but she said she now is earning more than she would at a regular job.

"I enjoy what I do," she said. "I would be doing something like this even if I weren't getting paid for it."