Cost Reduction Analysis: Tools and Strategies

Praise for Cost Reduction Analysis Tools and Strategies
"An executive guide to achieving and maintaining ′best in class′ profitability and resource management via cost reduction. This book details the operating and administrative considerations, analysis, and actions to drive reductions in a comprehensive collection of cost elements, in a clear, well–written style."
—Barrett Peterson, experienced consultant, currently Manager of Accounting Standards, Procedures, and Analysis, TTX
"Well–timed and first–rate coverage of a topic that is too often oversimplified by management. Comprehensive and readable, this will be the handbook on cost reduction for a long time to come."
—Chris Kelly, FCA, Senior Partner, Kelly Partners LLP
You can reduce costs without impacting customer loyalty or sacrificing your company′s long–term goals. Filled with helpful examples and a variety of metrics specifically designed to monitor your cost reduction progress, Cost Reduction Analysis: Tools and Strategies is your ideal sourcebook for increasing profits through a successful system of cost reduction.

Spis treści:
About the Author.
Preface.
PART I PRIMARY AREAS OF COST REDUCTION.
CHAPTER 1 The Cost Reduction Process.
Introduction.
Need for Cost Reduction.
Advantages of Cost Reduction.
Disadvantages of Cost Reduction.
Cost Reduction Politics.
Cost Reduction Priorities.
Cost Reduction Tools.
Process Analysis.
Process Analysis Tools.
Key Cost Reduction Questions.
Cost Reduction Reports.
Metrics.
Summary.
CHAPTER 2 Selling and Marketing Cost Reduction.
Introduction.
Customer Mix Analysis.
Customer Class Analysis.
Sales Region Analysis.
Dropped Customer Analysis.
Price Setting with Throughput Analysis.
Sales Productivity Analysis.
Sales Effectiveness Analysis.
Salespe rson Analysis.
Finding Throughput Problems in Sales.
Sales Process Flow.
Sales Deduction Systems.
Collections by the Sales Staff.
Marketing Cost Reductions.
Sales and Marketing Metrics.
Summary.
CHAPTER 3 Product Analysis.
Introduction.
Target Costing.
Targeted Price Increases.
Eliminate Unprofi table Products.
Add New Products.
Outsource Products.
Product Rework Costs.
Custom Product Costs.
Product Metrics.
Summary.
CHAPTER 4 Production Cost Reduction.
Introduction.
Throughput Analysis.
Product Line Complexity.
Production Flow.
Cellular Manufacturing.
Continuous Flow.
Monument Equipment.
Quick Changeovers.
Assembly Line Confi guration.
Assembly Line Length.
Container Sizes.
Source Inspection.
Control Chart Analysis.
Mistake Proofing.
Expediting.
Maintenance Planning.
Machinery Standardization.
Machinery Assignment.
Metrics.
Summary.
CHAPTER 5 Payroll Cost Reduction.
Introduction.
Analysis for a Workforce Reduction.
Cost of a Workforce Reduction.
Alternatives to a Workforce Reduction.
Manage Payroll Expenses at the Hiring Stage.
Combat Institutionalized Pay Increases.
Restructure Commissions.
Restructure the Workforce.
Hire Contractors.
Other Types of Payroll Cost Reduction.
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifi cation Act.
Payroll Cost Metrics.
Summary.
CHAPTER 6 Benefi ts Cost Reduction.
Introduction.
Benefi ts Administration.
Disability Insurance.
Life Insurance.
Medical Insurance.
Pensions.
Seasonal Bonuses.
Sick Time.
Snacks.
Training.
Vacation Time.
Wellness Programs.
Workers′ Compensation Insurance.
Miscellaneous Perquisites.
Free Benefits.
Metrics.
Summary.
PART II PROCUREMENT COST REDUCTION.
CHAPTER 7 Procurement Cost Reduction.
Introduction.
Standard Procurement Process Flow.
Procur ement Cards.
Evaluated Receipts System.
Additional Procurement Process Flow Changes.
Supplier Consolidation.
Supplier Relations.
Additional Cost Reduction Considerations.
Metrics.
Summary.
CHAPTER 8 Spend Analysis.
Introduction.
Spend Database.
Spend Analysis.
Spend Analysis Reports.
Spend Analysis Rollout.
Third–Party Spend Management Systems.
Low–Cost Spend Management Systems.
Metrics.
Summary.
CHAPTER 9 Maintenance, Repair, and Operations Analysis.
Introduction.
Problems with MRO Cost Reduction.
MRO Cost Reduction Methodology.
Distributor′s Viewpoint.
Metrics.
Summary.
PART III ASSET REDUCTION.
CHAPTER 10 Inventory Analysis.
Introduction.
Inventory Purchasing.
Inventory Receiving.
Inventory Storage.
Bill of Materials.
Obsolete Inventory.
Miscellaneous Topics.
Metrics.
Summary.
CHAPTER 11 Fixed Asset Analysis.
Introduction.
Fixed Asset Acquisition Analysis.
Fixed Asset Installation Reporting.
Postinstallation Audit.
Outsourcing Alternative.
Lease versus Buy Decision.
Feature Reduction Analysis.
Asset Commoditization.
Monument Analysis.
Facility–Specifi c Considerations.
Fixed Asset Retention Analysis.
Fixed Asset Maintenance Analysis.
Fixed Asset Location Tracking.
Fixed Asset Condition Tracking.
Fixed Asset Metrics.
Summary.
PART IV SPECIAL TOPICS.
CHAPTER 12 Throughput Analysis.
Introduction.
Theory of Constraints.
Operational Aspects of the Theory of Constraints.
Nature of the Constraint.
Defi nitions for the Financial Aspects of the Theory of Constraints.
Financial Aspects of the Theory of Constraints.
Opportunity Cost of Operations.
Locating the Constraint.
Management of the Constrained Resource.
Types of Policy Constraints.
Constraint Buffer.
Production Scheduling.
Batch Sizes.
Capacit y Reduction Analysis.
Work Center Utilization.
Metrics.
Summary.
CHAPTER 13 Cost Reduction in Mergers and Acquisitions.
Introduction.
Integration Timing.
Integration Planning.
Synergy Realization.
Integration Manager.
Integration Team.
Integration Communications—Internal.
Integration Communications—External.
Employee Integration—Qualifi cation Assessment.
Employee Integration—Job Positioning.
Employee Integration—Relocations.
Employee Integration—Key Employees.
Layoffs.
Compensation Integration.
Sales Integration.
Process Integration.
Technology Integration.
Metrics.
Integration Pacing.
Summary.
Index.

Nota biograficzna:
STEVEN M. BRAGG, CPA, has been the chief financial officer or controller of four companies, as well as a consulting manager at Ernst & Young and an auditor at Deloitte & Touche. He received a master′s degree in finance from Bentley College, an MBA from Babson College, and a bachelor′s degree in economics from the University of Maine. He has been the two–time president of the Colorado Mountain Club, is an avid alpine skier and mountain biker, and is a certified master diver. Mr. Bragg resides in Centennial, Colorado. He is also the author of Accounting Best Practices and Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual, both published by Wiley.

Okładka tylna:
Praise for Cost Reduction Analysis Tools and Strategies
"An executive guide to achieving and maintaining ′best in class′ profitability and resource management via cost reduction. This book details the operating and administrative considerations, analysis, and actions to drive reductions in a comprehensive collection of cost elements, in a clear, well–written style."
—Barrett Peterson, experienced consultant, currently Manager of Account ing Standards, Procedures, and Analysis, TTX
"Well–timed and first–rate coverage of a topic that is too often oversimplified by management. Comprehensive and readable, this will be the handbook on cost reduction for a long time to come."
—Chris Kelly, FCA, Senior Partner, Kelly Partners LLP
You can reduce costs without impacting customer loyalty or sacrificing your company′s long–term goals. Filled with helpful examples and a variety of metrics specifically designed to monitor your cost reduction progress, Cost Reduction Analysis: Tools and Strategies is your ideal sourcebook for increasing profits through a successful system of cost reduction.