Sept. 22 webinar to show organizations how to uncover bottlenecks, inefficiencies and recurring problems before investing in bigger fixes
LANSING, Mich. – Businesses are under constant pressure to move faster, control costs and get more from already-stretched teams. But before adding another system, hiring more people or pursuing a major transformation, Maner Costerisan experts say organizations should look for something much less obvious: friction in the way work gets done.
Slow approvals. Duplicate work. Manual workarounds. Reports that take too long to produce. Processes that depend on one person knowing “how we’ve always done it.”
Individually, those problems can seem minor. Together, they can drain productivity, increase costs, frustrate employees and limit growth.
“The first instinct is often to fix the symptom — add another person, buy new technology or create another step in the process,” said Sarah Jennings, CPA, CFE, CAE, CVGA, principal at Maner Costerisan. “But if you haven’t identified where the process is actually breaking down, you may simply be adding cost without solving the underlying problem.”
Jennings and Bethany Verble, CPA, CFE, CBPA, senior manager at Maner Costerisan, will address that challenge during “Finding the Friction: Identifying and Solving Process Issues that Limit Performance,” a free webinar from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Working at the intersection of financial, operational and business processes, Jennings and Verble will show organizations how to map the way work actually moves, pinpoint bottlenecks and identify what is causing recurring problems.
The approach can be applied to everyday functions such as accounts payable, payroll and reporting — areas where inefficient steps can gradually become accepted as simply part of doing business.
“One of the biggest opportunities is often hiding in routines people have stopped questioning,” Verble said. “When you map a process from beginning to end, you start seeing the handoffs, delays and extra steps that have become normal. That’s where meaningful improvement can begin.”
Improvement does not necessarily require a sweeping overhaul, Jennings said. Solutions can range from simple, low-cost changes to Lean methods and more advanced approaches.
During the Sept. 22 program, participants will learn how to:
· Map processes to identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.
· Find root causes rather than repeatedly addressing symptoms.
· Turn findings into practical solutions, from quick wins to more advanced approaches.
· Improve common processes, including accounts payable, payroll and reporting.
· Build greater efficiency without placing additional strain on staff or budgets.
The program is free and open to all interested parties. CPE credit is available. To register, click here.
About Maner Costerisan
Maner Costerisan is a full-service public accounting and business consulting firm founded in 1906 and based in Lansing, Michigan. With 120 years of experience and offices in Lansing and Grand Rapids, the firm provides a comprehensive range of services, including audit and assurance, tax planning and preparation, business consulting, technology solutions, and wealth management. The firm is nationally recognized including being named a Best Firm to Work For, Best Firm for Young Accountants, Best of the Best Firms, and a Top Firm to Watch, among other accolades. Maner Costerisan is dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial goals through innovative solutions, personalized service, and a commitment to excellence. The firm serves a diverse clientele across various industries, including manufacturing, nonprofit, government, healthcare, construction, and education. For more information, visit manercpa.com.
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