You can now listen to the sustainable approach to cost reduction episode in our Podcast series Competitive Advantage. Access our podcast

Companies are undertaking cost-reduction programmes at an unprecedented rate and on an ever larger scale. More than three-quarters of the FTSE 100 companies have started such a programme in the past 12 months, and almost all of those involved in them say they have been a success. But if that is really so, why do they keep on repeating them...again and again and again?

Our recent survey found that more than three-quarters of a sample of large British companies have started a major cost-reduction programme in the last twelve months and over half had carried out three or more cost-reduction programmes in the past three years which amounts to an almost continuous process of rolling out new measures to cut costs.

This activity is hugely disruptive, places exceptional demands on resources and can dangerously undermine morale. There is a better way to achieve greater efficiency and competitive advantage.

Learn more in our report: The cutting edge - Sound advice on a sustainable approach to cost reduction (PDF, 427KB)

Related information
Other reports in this series:
On best behaviour - Sound advice on strategy execution
In their pockets - Sound advice on revenue growth