Cost reduction is a planned positive approach to reduce expenses. It is achieved by continuous analysis of costs, corrective functions and financial planning.

It is important to the health of a company to manage costs. An effective cost reduction plan is one that focuses on lowering costs in every business activity.

The reduction should not be at the cost of reducing quality of products or services rendered.

Thus, cost reduction must aim at the elimination of wasteful elements in methods of doing things. It should not be at the cost of quality. Cost reduction is a continuous process of critically examining various elements of costs and each aspect of the business (i.e. procedures, methods, products, vendor and supplier management including financial planning, analytics, and ongoing monitoring of agreements and contracts.)

Some businesses are concerned that conducting a business cost reduction analysis might damage their relationships with existing suppliers. The better you understand the: marketplace, bench-marked deliverable’s, vendor standards – (pricing-terms-conditions-clauses) the closer you can manage the expectation of those deliverable’s raising the vendors quality and accountability. It is indeed possible to cut costs and improve delivery while, strengthening relationships with trusted suppliers.

To seek rate reductions from current providers, you must do so in a positive manner.

Here are three cost cutting tips that can strengthen your supplier relationships:

– If you pay supplier invoices with a business credit card, offer to pay with cash or check in exchange for a % discount on each invoice. This benefits you by immediately lowering your costs, removing potential late fees and benefits the supplier by eliminating the credit card processing fees that the supplier would have paid otherwise. Note — to be win-win, the % discount must be less than the supplier’s credit card processing fee expense. That way the supplier experiences cost savings as well.

– If you purchase a consistent amount of products or services from a supplier, consider establishing a minimum purchase commitment with the supplier in exchange for a discount on any purchases made above the minimum purchase commitment. This benefits you by reducing your marginal costs for purchases above the minimum and benefits the supplier by guaranteeing a certain amount of revenue. The supplier also benefits by earning incremental revenue on any purchases you make above the minimum.

– If you have significant confidence in your relationship with a supplier, consider negotiating a discount in exchange for signing a longer than normal contract (e.g., 4-year versus 3-year), or by extending the term of a current contract beyond its current expiration date.

Cost reduction analysis doesn’t need to be an adversarial process. Instead, it can be used as an opportunity to think creatively and collaborate with your trusted suppliers to everyone’s benefit. 

Through technology and the emergence of the vendor management outsourcing industry, companies can reduce costs, increase efficiencies, and increase profits to be in a better position to deal with the inevitable cyclical economic downturn.

Cost reduction can be achieved by various techniques;

  • – Budget control
  • – Cost control
  • – Vendor Management
  • – Standard costing
  • – Standardization of equipment
  • – Improvement in design
  • – Material control
  • – Labor control
  • – Overhead control
  • – Production planning and control
  • – Automation
  • – Operation research
  • – Market research
  • – Planning and control of finance
  • – Value analysis
  • – Quality measurement and research
  • – Cost benefit analysis
  • – Contribution Analysis

There are many advantages of cost reduction.

Cost reduction causes a definite increase in margins. The savings may also be passed to consumers in the form of lower prices or more quantity in the same price. This will create more demand for the products, economies of large scale production, more employment through industrialization and all-round improvement in the standard of living.

Increased competitive strength to the industry stimulates more exports. Thus, profit is increased by reducing the costs, it can be utilized for expansion of the organization which will create more employment and overall industrial prosperity.

Increase in profits also provides a basis for more dividends to the shareholders, and with investors spend management is a high expectation .

VENDOR MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

Our Vendor Management Solution (VMS) is a discipline that enables businesses to not only cut costs but also: control expenses, drive service excellence and mitigate risks…while gaining increased visibility and value from their vendors. Through LIMITLESS’s on-line software overall vendor management, as well as – vendor expense management, is accomplished by giving you absolute visibility into your vendors and spend. No matter what the vendor or type of service they provide – companies can have a comprehensive view into their: services, contracts, rates, terms, conditions and spends through this sophisticated web-based solution.

If you have questions about any of our VMS benefits contact us today at 866-504-4050 to learn more about our Vendor Management Solutions.