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Springfield, MO

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Susan Marler, ERPA, QPA, APR

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Strong, Approachable Leadership 

When starting my company 20 years ago, I knew I wanted to create one where people wanted to come to work every day. In those 20 years, I’ve never had one person resign. There were several decisions I made that were critical to reaching that goal. 

Hire the smartest and most talented people you can find. I make sure the right people are in the right seat on the bus and then I get out of their way. However, that doesn’t mean that they are on their own. Our atmosphere fosters team work.You must also be approachable. I have an open door policy because I want my employees to feel like they can come to me with anything—an idea or a frustration—and know that I will listen with an open mind and no judgment.We spend many of our waking hours at work, so find things that make work a little more fun. At Advanced Plan Designs, we have company happy hours, birthday lunches, afternoon snack days, early holiday release days and the week off before Christmas.  Create an environment that you yourself would want to work in. As a business owner, you need to remember how it felt when you worked for someone else. Treat your employees like they have ownership in the company and they will treat your company like they own it. 

If you work in a male dominated industry like 401K third party administration, you have to be a little tougher as a woman. Balance this with the knowledge that respect has to be earned and your reputation is everything. 

Susan Marler, ERPA, 

QPA, APR 

Managing Member 

Advanced Plan Designs 

3859 S. Cox Road Springfield MO 65807

417.885.0181  |  advancedplandesigns.com

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