What Our Clients Say...

Read what our clients say about working with The Singer Group.  You will find below testimonials for the following projects: Compensation and Other HR Project, Performance Management Projects, Strategic Planning and Organization Developement Projects, and Presentations and Miscellaneous Projects.

Compensation and Other HR Projects

The project was successful! The Singer Group used rational and reasonable approaches and processes, and delivered what they promised.

Laura consistently made herself available, even when she was on the road.  Her follow-up was excellent. Clear communications are always a big hit with me. Laura was thorough and paid attention to details. She patiently listened to my perspective each time I offered it and was in tune with the specific factors affecting our approach to the study.

Laura was the consummate professional in her interactions with the staff and in guiding them through the project. It is great to work with The Singer Group. As the Library Director, I was pleased and I truly believe my library was pleased as well.

Laura was always prepared, very informative and patient, and extremely knowledgeable about each topic. She was easy to approach and open to engagement in all of her communication.

The Singer Group was a great fit for our library. Their philosophical approach to the project along with their professionalism really made the activity pleasant for me as an administrator.

Jos Holman, County Librarian, Tippecanoe County Public Library (IN)Compensation and Classification Studies

Paula did an excellent job for us, including raising important questions about our philosophy of executive compensation and rewards that will serve us well for years to come.

Ed Pauly, The Wallace Foundation, Board Member, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
Executive Compensation Study

Just want to tell you again how great this entire process was [development of a Trustee manual]. We accomplished what we set out to do within the required timeframe and certainly couldn't have done it without Paula and Lorraine!

Raineyl Coiro, Library Administrator, Eastern Shore Regional Library (MD)
Multiple Compensation and Classification studies; State Trustees Manual

I like how responsive the Singer Group team was, providing products on or before deadline.

Joilette Meeks, Director of Communications, DC Public Library
HR Audit and other HR Consulting

I selected "meets expectations" for my responses because I have very high expectations for the Singer Group!  They are very professional and knowledgeable.

Beth Wojton, Chief of Human Resources, Maryland Environmental Service
Yearly Compensation Review

Hooray for PAULA and the SINGER GROUP!  You have helped us in many important ways to move forward with HR work.  I will willingly work with you again – hope we do, in fact!  And would happily recommend you to others – have done so, in fact!

Ginnie Cooper, City Librarian, DC Public Library
HR Audit, Recruitment, and other HR Consulting

We've always had very professional results from the projects we've done with the Singer Group.

Sharan Marshall, Library Director, Southern Maryland Regional Library Association
Multiple Compensation, Classification and Performance Management studies

We have learned so much and are really looking forward to our next project with you.

Donna Monuz, Environmental Support Center
Compensation and Performance Management Studies, Staff Training and
and Development

Sure glad our paths have crossed Paula. You have a wonderful attitude and sense of professionalism blended with a healthy amount of friendliness and understanding. Sincere thanks for moving us forward on our study with zest, enthusiasm and wisdom.

One of the committee members reported that you were well worth the fee—a message that I love to hear from staff.  Many and sincere thanks for how hard you worked, how carefully you and Lorraine listened and how you knew just the right balance of humor to make it positive. You both did an outstanding job!

Joan Airoldi, Library Director, Whatcom County Library System (WA)
Compensation and Executive Compensation Studies

Singer was a complete success for us!

Jonathan D. O’Neal, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Harford County Public Schools
Compensation Study

The scope and final recommendations developed from the HR audit will be very helpful in my transition. Being recently appointed I will rely on it periodically to compare with my personal observations. Your work provided good insights into areas requiring improvement. You have strong knowledge of HR and the business of libraries. You’re extremely easy to work with and have great interpersonal skills. The Singer Group makes you feel like you're the only customer they have because of their accessibility.

Barbara Kirvin, HR Director, DC Public Library
HR Audit and other HR Consulting

I am pleased to say that our project was completed in an incredibly short period of time, and within our budget. The study was thorough and took considerable work on the part of all parties. The Singer Group study was eminently successful on multiple levels.

Throughout the process, the Superintendent and I were provided effective and timely communications as well as the opportunity to preview all materials before final documents were released. Confidentiality was maintained at all times. The recommendations for a complete restructuring of our salary program that the Singer Group developed were appropriate and thorough, and the new program was approved in full by the Board. Significantly, we experienced a high level of staff acceptance for this all-new salary program.

John Masone, Assistant Superintendent, Talbot County Public Schools (MD)
Compensation/Classification Study

The Singer Group was extremely attentive to MHEC’s specific needs and utilized imagination and care to produce an excellent study. Particularly notable is how carefully they worked as partners to achieve what became a shared goal.

Michael Rosenthal, Director, Maryland Higher Education Commission
Compensation Study

Throughout our projects, I found The Singer Group to be knowledgeable, creative and professional. The staff was very flexible and willing to immediately address any concerns and our project was completed within the planned timeframe.

Darlene Childs, Human Resources Manager, City of Westminster (MD)
Compensation/Classification Study and Employee Satisfaction Survey

Throughout our entire project, I found The Singer Group to be very cooperative, understanding, professional, sensitive, honest and flexible.

Anthony Sarbanes, President, County Council, Wicomico County (MD)
Compensation and Classification Study

In every respect of their work, The Singer Group exceeded our expectations. Both studies were completed on schedule and within budget. Most significantly, the results were thorough and credible, and won the acceptance of our employees, organizational leadership and the respective elected officials in each jurisdiction.

The Signer Group’s consultants are competent, professional, supportive, and of very high integrity. I felt completely confident when The Singer Group consultants were meeting with employees, Department Heads, and elected officials. They quickly established their credibility with everyone with whom they interacted, and also earned trust and confidence as well.

Thomas J. Calo (Human Resources Director), City of Salisbury/ Wicomico County (MD)
Compensation/Classification Studies

We were very pleased with the work that the Singer Group performed, and the personal attention given to our project. The study was thorough and complete, and addressed our needs fully. Your staff was very competent and responsive to our needs. The work was of a high quality and complete, and you and your staff were easy to communicate with.

John J. Schiavone, Executive Director, St. Vincent de Paul Baltimore
Compensation, Classification, Performance Management and Salary Administration Studies

Dr. Singer and Ms. Francisco used their experiences to effectively analyze and understand the issues, needs, and culture of Talbot County Government. Dr. Singer provided valuable technical expertise and guidance and in meeting with our County Council and Department Heads, she facilitated helpful dialogue about potential issues and challenges. Ms. Francisco ensured that quality salary data was collected and provided recommendations that were both organizationally and financially feasible. Both ensured that the project was completed on time and within budget.

Jim Urbanczyk, Assistant County Manager, Talbot County Government (MD)
Compensation, Employee manual, Performance Management and Job Description Studies

Paula and Laura were mission-driven to provide us with the information we sought in a timely manner, but also demonstrated a consideration of our workload and needs by tailoring their project tasks to our organization’s schedule. On a personal level, while they are very warm and congenial, they always maintain a professional and business-like demeanor.

Joanne V. Koehler, Director, Baltimore County Public Schools
Office of Food and Nutrition Services
Compensation and Classification Study

Dr. Singer and Ms. Francisco very effectively analyzed and understood the issues, needs, and culture of Carroll County public Schools in order to successfully complete this project.

Stephen H. Guthrie, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources, Carroll County Public Schools (MD)
Compensation and Classification Studies

I was extremely pleased with the services provided by the Singer Group during what was a very sensitive project, involving dealing both with department heads and elected officials, each with different agendas. The time allotted for the project was tight and Dr. Singer was able to accomplish the entire task within the stipulated timeframe, allowing us to implement when we needed to.

Janet P. Haddad, Personnel Administrator Howard County Government

Dr. Singer’s work has always been completed within schedule at the prescribed fee and is consistently of high quality. Her work and recommendations have resulted in substantial improvement in the management of Washington County government.

Barry A. Teach, Administrator, Board of County Commissioners, Washington County (MD)

Laura always followed-up promptly and came up with progressive ideas to assist with salary administration. She was able to quickly turnaround salary data and provided consultation based on trends from other government agencies and her knowledge in salary administration.

Beverly Churchill, HR Director, Queen Anne’s County Government (MD)
Classification and other Human Resources Consulting projects

We appreciated your willingness to adapt as the project proceeded. Despite busy schedules on all sides, you responded to our questions promptly by phone, e-mail or in person. Throughout the project, you provided thorough documentation of all parts of the process, from meeting notes to drafts, recommendations and manuals. You also worked very hard to listen and understand our particular situation and design solutions that would fit, rather than applying a standard methodology. At the same time, you shared and explained 'best practice' to us and our employees and Board, which helped us prepare for some changes.

Finally, you were patient and persistent in solving our problems and made suggestions that allowed us to disentangle some long-term problems and move toward an equitable, logical classification and compensation system. We enjoyed working with you and feel that we have a very professional result and have increased our own capacity during the process.

Sara Laughlin, Director, Monroe County Public Library (IN)
Compensation/Classification and Performance Studies

Performance Management Projects

We sang the Singer Group’s praises as we talked about our new performance management process. We couldn't have done it without you!

Tommye Bell, City of Mesquite (TX)
Performance Management Study

We've always had very professional results from the projects we've done with the Singer Group.

Sharan Marshall, Library Director, Southern Maryland Regional Library Association
Multiple Compensation, Classification and Performance Management studies

We have learned so much and are really looking forward to our next project with you.

Donna Monuz, Environmental Support Center
Compensation and Performance Management Studies, Staff Training and Development

We were very pleased with the work that the Singer Group performed, and the personal attention given to our project. The study was thorough and complete, and addressed our needs fully. Your staff was very competent and responsive to our needs. The work was of a high quality and complete, and you and your staff were easy to communicate with.

John J. Schiavone, Executive Director, St. Vincent de Paul Baltimore
Compensation, Classification, Performance Management and Salary Administration Studies

Strategic Planning and
Organizational Development Projects

The Singer Group’s listening and understanding are a high point.

John McGinty, Library Director of the Loyola-Notre Dame Library
(Baltimore, MD)
Organizational Study

The Singer Group has brought such wonderful experience, expertise, and enthusiasm to working with us on all aspects of strategic planning, but especially to the development of our Community Future Search Conference.

Hampton “Skip” Auld, Director, Durham County Library (NC)
Strategic Planning Project

We really appreciate the additional conference calls and personal attention. Paula and Lorraine, you always went out of your way to make yourselves available for us. You provided very creative brain storming and quick assessments of people's strengths and weaknesses. We appreciated seeing things from a fresh, outside perspective. You were so much fun to work with - thank you so much!

Patty Wong, Library Director, Yolo County Library (CA)
Organization and Compensation Studies

You are so special and so competent. I am very impressed and thrilled with how you excited them and led us to the end.

Chair of a Strategic Planning Committee

I enjoyed working with you and appreciate that you asked questions, gave us drafts and really listened to what we said.

Lucie P. Osborn, County Librarian, Laramie County Library System (WY)
Organization Study

Our programs and the Maine Community College System gained enormous benefits from The Singer Group’s insights and experience.

Jean E. Mattimore, Ed.D., Executive Director, Center for Career Development, Maine Community College System

Thank you, Paula, for giving us the tools and direction for Beth Am's years to come. Thank you!!!  It is amazing when a person with expertise, understanding, creativity, and insight can take all of the ideas, opinions and comments of a very dedicated group of people and develop them into "our future."

Member of a Strategic Planning Committee for a religious non profit organization

You are fabulous! You'd think after presenting the same plan more than four times you'd get stale, but you just get better and better! You've made such a difference in how the process has come about in the right way, and I feel really good about starting off as president with such a good foundation. Thanks so much for everything.

Another member of this Strategic Planning Committee

The Singer Group are dedicated and hardworking professionals with broad knowledge of library management and operations. Our staff responded well to their warmth and enthusiasm during large and small group interactions as well as one-on-one interviews. It was a pleasure working with the Singer Group. Paula is generous with her time and continues to be available for questions and conference calls long after our project wrapped up.

June Hopaluk, Assistant Director, Rochester Hills Public Library (MI)
(now retired)
Compensation and Organizational Review Studies

As Board Chair of Magic Me, I saw Paula transform a disparate group of new board members into a cohesive, unified, focused machine. The organization, which because a model for grassroots non-profits, can trace its success to the board and staff facilitation Paula performed many years ago.

Julie Mercer, Managing Principal, Columbia Consulting Group, MD

We employed Dr. Singer’s expertise in designing team-building and training programs for large and small work groups in the finance sector of the World Bank. She provided an excellent analysis of business processes for a large department, working very well with both staff and managers in the Bank, earning their trust and praise for her professional skills.

Charlotte Mandel, Sr. Policy Officer, Personnel Management Department, The World Bank

With Paula as a consultant to the Fund for Educational Excellence on several occasions, I have witnessed the sharing of great ideas, the thoroughness of careful planning, and organized follow-through and follow-up. Paula is an expert in at what she does. I have complete confidence that the work will get done whenever I ask Paula to sign onto a project.

Paula’s breadth of knowledge and experience in organizational development and strategic planning make her a natural for advising, coaching, leading a strategic planning exercise or working through the tactical plans that accompany that planning process!

Milli Pierce, Ed.D., Chief Operating Officer, Fund for Educational Excellence (MD)
Strategic Planning Project

Presentations and Miscellaneous

Paula Singer's presentation on Human Resources in the Public Library for the Arizona Library Leadership Academy on March 17, 2010 was an unqualified success. The following responses from participants capture her excellent presentation that expertly blended theory, research and practical applications for public librarians:

"I appreciated that Paula was honest when answering questions. She was very knowledgeable, but in addition approachable. I really enjoyed her ³big picture² presentation, and will look for her books."

"She certainly expanded my knowledge on current library trends. Also I never fully understood that HR departments do other than maintain benefits and train new employeesŠthis was enlightening."

"I liked her tips on dealing with sub‹par performance from workers. I might try some of them when supervising my teen volunteers."

Elaine Meyers, Coordinator
Arizona Library Leadership Academy

Paula Singer, working with another consultant, drew an audience of about 300 people at 8:30 a.m. on the first morning of the conference. There was great interplay between Paula and her co-presenter, and between Paula and the audience. She is an articulate speaker who immediately established a warm and collegial tone. Knowing the audience included library administrators whose experience ran the gamut from total novice to veteran, Paula tried to make sure there was something for everyone. She invited questions and responded to them seamlessly, handling the group well.

Gail Griffith, Consultant, former Deputy Director, Carroll County Public Library (MD) and member, Conference Program Committee, PLA National Conference (2002)

Not only was the workshop information you presented valuable, but it was presented in a way that allowed for easy interaction with you and fellow attendees.

Magda Sossa, LAMA workshop attendee

Paula Singer is an outstanding woman, professionally and personally, executing each assignment with exceptional knowledge and skill.

Gino Gemignani, Jr., Senior Vice President, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Thank you for presenting such a wonderful session at PLA. The attendees paid close attention to your program which confirmed for me that we’re all struggling with the same issues. It was very gratifying to put the “Session Full” sign in front of the door at an 8:30 a.m. program. Thanks again for making PLA in Boston so successful.

Theresa Jehlik, Staff Development Manager, Omaha Public Library (NE)

Dr. Singer’s presentation entitled “Higher Education’s Challenge to Recruit, Retain, and Motivate High Performing Employees” was among the top four presentations of the year as rated by program participants. The content, delivery, depth, and significance of the session were particularly identified as uniformly excellent and meaningful.

In addition to her academic talents, Dr. Singer has an established reputation among her colleagues and her students for her responsiveness and her personal manner. She is extremely aware, intelligent, well-adjusted, humorous, and approachable. We continue to depend on Dr. Singer’s valuable professional and personal contributions and consistent counsel.

Thomas J. Thompson, Ph.D., M.P.H., Program Professor; Programs for Higher Education, Nova Southeastern University

The conference evaluation forms from Lorraine’s recent presentation to our MASPA Annual Conference have been overwhelmingly positive. Her participation directly contributed to the success of our annual conference. You did a great job condensing such important and complex topics into a brief presentation. Your information was instructive to our members and also serves as a beginning place for them once they return to their respective school systems.

Jonathan D. O’Neal, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Harford County Public Schools (MD)

Whatever the subject matter of the training, Dr. Singer is well prepared, able to relate to the participants regardless of their social, economic or business background, and provides the extra effort to make the training effective.

Alan J. Davis, SPHR, Personnel Director of Washington County Government, MD