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Booz & Company

Cost Cutting

For most companies, cost cutting in a down economy means across-the-board slashing that "spreads the pain" of budget reductions across many departments. Although that may sound like the best approach for getting critical results fast and for limiting political infighting, it is a mistake — one that will leave your company not just smaller, but weaker.

Instead, companies that need to reduce costs should treat the challenge as an opportunity to identify and reinforce their key capabilities, while divesting those activities that do not truly reflect the business’s strengths or long-term goals. This more strategic approach will make your company more resilient as tough times continue and more robust as recovery begins.

Capabilities-Driven Strategy provides executives with the tools they need to rapidly and sustainably implement cost reduction. First identify and clearly articulate your company’s key capabilities — not just core competencies or skill sets, but those very few strengths that, in combination, define how your organization competes. Then use this information to create your company’s unique blueprint for effective and efficient cost reduction.

 

How to Cut Costs–Strategically
with Cesare Mainardi and Paul Michelman
Booz & Company CEO Cesare Mainardi recently sat down with Paul Michelman of Harvard Business Publishing to discuss how executives should use a strategic approach to cutting costs—but often don't. watch video >
  watch video

 

Cut Costs and Grow Stronger
with Per-Ola Karlsson, Paul Leinwand, Cesare Mainardi, Shumeet Banerji, and Tom Stewart
In this video, Booz & Company's partners from around the world discuss the concepts behind Cut Costs, Grow Stronger.watch video >
  watch video

 

Key Publications

Cut Costs and Grow Stronger
by Shumeet Banerji, Paul Leinwand, and Cesare Mainardi
For most companies, cost cutting in a down economy means across-the-board slashing that "spreads the pain" of budget reductions across many departments. While that may sound like the best approach for getting critical results fast and for limiting political infighting, it is a mistake — one that will leave your company weaker, not just smaller. read more >
  read more
Cut Costs, Grow Stronger
by Shumeet Banerji, Paul Leinwand, and Cesare Mainardi
If you are a corporate leader, you have probably been spending a lot of time lately thinking about costs. In the aftermath of the global economic crisis of 2008-09, the pressure to cut costs—whether driven by cash flow, shareholders, uncertainly, or investment needs—has been extraordinary. read more on strategy+business >
  read more
Is Your Company Fit for Growth?
by Deniz Caglar, Jaya Pandrangi, and John Plansky
Companies that cut costs thoughtfully and deploy their resources strategically will be prepared for the next round of expansion. read more on strategy+business >
  read more
 
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