Customer Reviews

Driving Down Cost: How to Manage and Cut Costs--Intelligently

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I like this positive approach to managing costs. Andrew Wileman understands the importance of staff, of supplier relationships, and the vital need to delight the customer. His focus is not on pushing salaries down to the minimum wage and pressing suppliers to the edge of bankruptcy. He is after good management to control spending before the purchase is made, of hiring in terms of a capital investment, and removing waste from every nook and cranny of the supply chain.

The author views cost leadership as a competitive advantage. He advocates short time frames for the project and acting now rather than announcing that you will start an initiative down the road. Too often, managers begin these projects well into a crisis as a means of turning things around. They should become smart about costs in the good times and avoid the need for emergency liposuction or amputation.

This book examines every aspect of your company and how you can prevent cost, reduce cost, and even turn some costs into revenue streams. Wileman also has a chapter on the problems facing anyone trying to control costs in the public sector.

I like Wileman's attitude, thinking, and approach and think this is a very useful book.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Andrew's book is incredibly relevant, given the current economic situation. His pertinent examples provide for a clear and concise learning experience. I liked that when discussing Individual Accountability he really drives home his point giving excellent comprehensible examples, cutting out all the babble. His eloquent style throughout keeps the reader intrigued, especially when discussing persistence to get what you want. Excellent read, worldly relevant and a great addition to any collection.

Bought it after reading the very complimentary Economist Review.

Refreshing new perspective for an age old management challenge. Very useful and surprisingly entertaining. Witty, great anecdotes. A must read for managers -- intelligent cost cutting for all environments. Brilliant.

Highly Recommended!

I ordered the book after reading a very complimentary review in The Economist's Aug 27th, 2008 issue - [...]

Like most other reviewers, I found the book a fast and interesting read without the dry dense text that is common in most business texts.

Equally importantly, unlike most business best sellers, Mr. Wileman's book is not 250 pages around a single insight. Instead it is a series of practical ideas around the entire gamut of costs that exist in any business.

The best business book I've read all year.

I found this book to be very useful and surprisingly entertaining. Andrew has an interesting style and i love the real life examples from his experiences. As we look ahead into recession in next 2-3 years,driving costs down will be a key imperative for businesses to remain competitive.
Pradeep

As a third year college student at a liberal arts school in the northeast, I have near constant required reading, much of which's primary benefit is doubling as a sleep-aid.

This book is a refreshing change. The sidebar examples keep you engaged and give real-world applications of the concepts discussed. With good, not overwhelming detail, its readable and useful.

An excellent purchase. I recommend highly.

Andrew Wileman's well-written book comes along at a critical time: he offers an intelligent approach to cutting and managing costs that makes use of a stiletto rather than a tomahawk. He is about thoughtful innovation rather than draconian blows. Wileman's advice to managers is anchored in the real world, his useful points made with humor, passion, and common sense. A real rarity -- an entertaining volume on keeping costs under control.

Andrew Wileman provides a series of practical toolkits that help you achieve cuts in your cost structure to support your company's strategic position. He also shows why cost slashing destroys brands and undermines future growth. His writing can be a bit colloquial and clunky at times, but it's still very clear and easy to read. The book stays on point from beginning to end. Each chapter provides a list of the key ideas for each toolkit. getAbstract recommends this book to executives, CFOs, managers and others who are responsible for budgeting.