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Reduce costs, but retain talent!
31-01-2012
A survey of over 600 HR executives about the nature and focus of their cost-cutting efforts, as the downturn worsened, has been carried out by Towers Watson. The findings are best summed up by comments from two HR executives. One...
Energy Management Solutions
30-01-2012
Energy Management is the process of monitoring, controlling, and conserving energy in a building or organisation. Why is it important? Energy management is the key to saving energy in your organisation. Much of the importance of energy saving stems from the...
Print Cost Saving Ideas: Hybrid Printing Reduces Costs
27-01-2012
Hybrid printing and mail what is it and how can it help my organisation save money You’re probably familiar with VOIP (voice over IP) as used in Skype calls for reducing your telephone costs, but you many not be aware...
Print Cost Saving Ideas: Sector Review
20-01-2012
A challenging time or a time to challenge? 2012 is already starting off where last year finished off with confidence in the printing sector remaining pessimistic. Within the last month, we have seen the demise of Stewarts in Edinburgh, ODC,...
19-01-2012
Good marketing is only one of the factors that lead to business success. There are three others that are also essential... Factor 1 The quality and professionalism of your service. The better your service, the higher the demand. The better the...
QR Codes cause security concerns
18-01-2012
Have you noticed those funny pixelly squares that are starting to crop up more often now in magazines and on posters? They are QR (Quick Response) codes, also known as 2D bar codes, and may appear in magazines, on signs,...
5 top tips for reducing costs through effective networking
12-01-2012
Rather than the more traditional marketing methods, building a network of referral sources can provide a cost effective route to potential new clients. However, productive networking is not just about handing out business cards. Here are 5 Top Tips...
Is thinking smart, costing you more?
21-12-2011
In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in employees regularly working from away from their main place of work as the benefits of better technology become available to the many. Telecommuting of a work arrangement in which...
Courier costs for 2012
14-12-2011
2011 has seen a significant rise in UK organisations managing their courier costs more effectively with the help of Expense Reduction Analysts. This is not a surprise with the choice of suppliers increasing over recent years, and each courier...
Hitting the right note; are you aware of your broadcast music costs?
06-12-2011
Hitting the right note; are you aware of your broadcast music costs? Businesses that broadcast music anywhere on their premises face the cost of broadcasting the music itself and also the associated license costs from Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL)...
Autumn Statement: Small Business Rates Relief Extended
05-12-2011
“Autumn Statement: Small Business rates relief extended Chancellor George Osborne has confirmed that the already extended one-year holiday on business rates for small businesses, which was due to expire in October 2012 is to be extended for a further six...
Have You Paid Premium 09 Rates To Find a Phone Number?
02-12-2011
Websites have been set up offering a directory information service which pop up in searches for well know/used organisations. These sites simply give the real number via recorded message and charge a fixed rate premiun call for the 'service'. Here...
LOGISTICSTEAMtalk - Winter 2011
01-12-2011
Welcome to the Winter 2011 edition of LOGISTICS TEAMtalk, the Newsletter and Digest of the Expense Reduction Analysts’ Logistics Team. As well as our usual selection of topical comment to help keep you informed of some...
Logistics: Mastering the supply chain
29-11-2011
For over 200 years, the term ‘supply chain’ has adequately reflected the nature and resilience of a linear process, from raw material to finished product. However, the supply chain process has evolved and is now a network of interconnected...
Is your head in the cloud?
22-11-2011
It is not unusual to hear entire departments within an organisation extolling the virtues of cloud computing which is the general term for anything that involves delivering hosted services over the Internet. A cloud based service has three distinct...
16-11-2011
Following the latest Bottom Line email sent on behalf of The Centre for Cost, Purchase & Supplier Management – further questions have been raised about the articles relating to Energy and Water. Below are responses to three articles directly...
Risk Management for 2012
15-11-2011
In early October 2011, many Blackberry customers experienced service interruptions and delays for up to 3 days in some areas. The affected regions included Europe, the Middle East, India, Africa, Latin America, Canada, and the United States. As of...
10-11-2011
OCEAN & AIRFREIGHT UPDATE – November 2011 Far East & Indian sub-cont westbound (import) rates/space/equipment – Carriers are now announcing winter schedules as demand slackens off towards Christmas and the Grand Alliance has withdrawn its Loop D sailings until...
07-11-2011
Phonepayplus, the regulator, has just found against two Service Providers who misled people into faxing a premium rate service. In both cases people had been requested to send faxes to Premium rate numbers without being informed of the cost...
05-11-2011
We need to get back to allowing conversation to occur without texting, e-mailing, browsing, Tweeting, Facebooking, or doing whatever else we do these days on smart phones, iPads, notebooks, etc. As 2012 fast approaches, this needs to go on...
Is your IT infrastructure secure?
03-11-2011
In a recent survey of IT professionals by Lieberman Software some startling insights were revealed into security practices particularly in the area of password management. Portions of the survey focused on the numbers of passwords in use, sharing of...
27-10-2011
Neill Summerfield, an Expense Reduction Analyst consultant, recently helped the Royal Academy of Dance save over £1m in costs. These are his top ten tips on how other charities can reduce their own expenditure. Tip 1: Have a thorough...
Gas and Electricity Price Hikes
20-10-2011
Gas and electricity price hikes have commanded a lot of attention recently. These price increases have been caused by a number of world events including uncertainties in the Middle East and the earthquake and Tsunami in Japan which in...
17-10-2011
With winter approaching with reduced daylight hours and colder temperatures, the consumption and cost of energy becomes enhanced. So what can be done to reduce this cost during this high period and beyond? 1. Be aware when your contract renewal date...
Have your rates to call mobiles dropped?
13-10-2011
From April 2011, OFCOM has enforced a reduction in Mobile Termination Rate (MTR). The MTR is the amount that the Mobile Network can charge the originating network (e.g. BT) for inbound calls to their network, this has been reduced...
Profit Focus: Lease costs
10-10-2011
A recent client for Expense Reduction Analysts property team is the research division of one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical technology companies. The company prides itself on its commitment to providing its customers in research and industry with the highest...
Employee Benefits – Review Now or Pay Later
06-10-2011
Unlike your general insurance arrangements, which are probably the subject of some form of annual review, your employee benefits programme may not have been properly reviewed and tested for a number of years. If this is so, you are...
15-09-2011
Ofcom have confirmed (13th September 2011) that rollover contracts, which tie landline and broadband customers into repeated minimum contract periods unless they opt out, will be banned from December this year. The contracts, also known as Automatically Renewable Contracts (ARC's),...
OCEAN & AIRFREIGHT UPDATE – September 2011
14-09-2011
Far East & Indian sub-cont westbound (import) rates/space/equipment – Spot rates have risen during this first few days of September. This is the first rise this year. It is evident that demand has built up and vessel utilisation is...
Top ten tips for reducing waste in the Retail and Wholesale
01-09-2011
Reducing operating costs and overheads is paramount for companies operating within tight margins and in a competitive marketplace. The cost of waste is typically 4% of turnover – in some companies it can be as high as 10%. Implementing...
31-08-2011
In this holiday month the PCI Data Security Council has taken the opportunity to update guidelines for merchants using Wireless technology to collect payments and also to issue guidelines for the growing number of merchants employing Tokenization. The Payment Card...
Heating-oil prices set to rocket again !
31-08-2011
Remember last winter, and the impact on your fuel–oil prices ? Costs went through the roof, and suppliers prioritised deliveries to contract customers as the road system failed to cope with the adverse weather. If this affected you, the latest...
22-08-2011
The government has announced the locations for a further 13 "Enterprise Zones" as part of its commitment to support regeneration and economic growth. Plans for the first 11 national zones since the 1980's were first launched in the Budget during...
Waste Management: Industry Update August 2011
17-08-2011
This article is a synopsis of current waste management news and current questions organisations across the UK are faced with answering: ‘Environment Agency has announced the boss of an illegal waste dump has been ordered to pay £881,000 – the...
OCEAN & AIRFREIGHT UPDATE – AUGUST 2011
10-08-2011
Far East & Indian sub-cont westbound (import) rates/space/equipment - It is pleasing to report that carriers have in general extended July rates into August 2011 although carriers that still charge BAF separately have imposed an increase of between $10...
Telephone Fraud – Is it Costing You?
08-08-2011
A 2010 report from The Communication Fraud Control Association ranked the UK as a top five global hot spot for communication fraud, including telephone hacking, which was estimated to be running at up to $80bn worldwide. According to research,...
The Challenges of Procurement in the Third Sector
01-08-2011
While the spending cuts announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review in the autumn of 2010 are only just starting to bite, the impact has been a central topic of conversation among many charities who find their grants...
26-07-2011
Carrots and sticks almost always play a part in controlling behaviour. Where there is potential for harm is it always necessary that enforcement is introduced? What examples are there of changes in behaviour taking place and the outcomes being...
Care costs increase pressure on already delicate industry
26-07-2011
The cost of caring for the elderly could treble by 2050, according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. With an ever increasing elderly population, and growing numbers of people with dementia requiring support, governmental...
Sustaining a healthy bottom line: as featured in ACCA UK
21-07-2011
With organisations having made significant cost cuts recently, Andrew Brackenbury, Cost, Purchase & Supplier Management consultant gave his views on how companies can sustain a healthy bottom line to ACCA UK (The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). The article was...
17-07-2011
Prevention is better than the cure: look back and think how often that quote has been used and the contexts where it has been applied. Many instances would be in a medical situation where the argument was ‘If you...
17-07-2011
Far East & Indian sub-cont westbound (import) rates/space/equipment - It is pleasing to report that carriers have postponed intended rate increases for July 2011. Whilst there are some equipment shortages in China and Malaysian ports slow steaming continues to...
Cheques Reprieved!
12-07-2011
Britain's banks have u-turned and scrapped plans to consign cheques to the history-books. In late 2009 members of the Payments Council voted to set a provisional target of 2018 for the abolition of cheques - which have seen declining popularity...
What value do you place on your waste?
05-07-2011
The ‘Government Review of Waste Policy in England 2011’ was published 14th June by the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (defra). The document has been on its way for about a year and the minister responsible is...
Cheaper Roaming
04-07-2011
As of the 1st July 2011, all consumers that opt for the EU regulated Eurotariff will pay no more than 35 cents (32p) per minute for all mobile calls made within the EU and 11 cents (10p) per minute...
Increasing Mobile Costs
30-06-2011
As predicted in April 2010, the OFCOM enforced reduction in Mobile Termination Rates (MTR) has resulted in the Mobile Networks increasing charges elsewhere to protect their profit margins. The MTR is the amount that the Mobile Network can charge for...
Small Business Rate Relief offers opportunities on empty space
16-06-2011
Businesses may be unaware that they could still avoid business rates on empty buildings following the lowering of the exemption threshold from April 2011. Up to the beginning of April those properties with a rateable value of less than £18,000...
Government cut consultancy bill by £800m
06-06-2011
Management consultancy firms have lost more than £800 million in revenues during the past year as the government has slashed public contracts and renegotiated far lower fees. Industry insiders said that the sector, which has been charging government departments...
Government launches its Review of Investigation and Closure Procedures for Motorway incidents
01-06-2011
Warmly welcomed by the FTA, which has been concerned about the length of time to clear incidents on the road network and the resultant cost to the economy, the review sets out the Government’s recommendations and action plan to...
Changes to European telecoms law – benefits for UK consumers
25-05-2011
Ofcom has today (25-May-2011) confirmed a number of changes to its regulations that will benefit consumers, as a result of new European telecoms law. The changes include shorter phone and broadband tie-in periods, compensation for delayed number switching and improved...
RoSPA calls for recording of work-related road crashes
18-05-2011
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has called for all work-related road crashes that involve the need for medical intervention or a visit to A&E to be fully investigated and recorded. Under current legislation (RIDDOR -the Reporting...
Maximising CSR through cost reduction
05-05-2011
At first thought you wouldn’t automatically link Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with cost control, as reducing cost is certainly not the primary goal of a CSR programme. However within a fleet environment CSR and cost control go hand in...
The Good, the Bad, and....
28-04-2011
According to new figures from the Telecoms regulator, OFCOM, TalkTalk is the most complained about comms company. OFCOM receives around 450 complaints every day from consumers, mostly relating to billing problems, customer service and mis-selling. The best supplier...
Business Travel costs are on the increase and need managing
22-04-2011
Travel payment firm Airplus International has reported a 12% increase in transactions in the first three months of this year when compared to the same period in 2010. In the corporate cards sector the market is back to 2008 levels:...
18-04-2011
Logistics Team Blogs All Current Blogs - CLICK HERE Logistics Case Studies - October 2009 Ken Rogers – UK Freight & Distribution and Fleet Costs Fuel Oils – Market Review - April 2011 Lloyd Fraser (Bulk Liquids) - February 2011 Has the bad weather been...
Fuel Oils – Market Review April 2011
14-04-2011
Fuel Oils – Market Review April 2011 I’m sure that every reader of this will be aware that the cost of fuel oil products continues to rise. However, there may be some surprise at the differential rates of increase for...
1 April 2011: Land fill Tax to increase again. How does this affect me?
11-04-2011
The cost of waste disposal is increasing at a rate above inflation and is set to rise further during 2011. Price increase notices will be dropping through letterboxes over the next few weeks, triggered by higher Landfill Tax and...
Cut card acceptance costs simply
11-04-2011
Having seen Chip & Pin widely accepted by cardholders and retailers for face-to-face transactions, the card industry has turned its attention to cutting identity fraud where the retailer and cardholder don’t meet. And after a few years of a...
Managing risk within projects
11-04-2011
How much of your day do you spend fire fighting – dealing with those unexpected problems that arise out of nowhere and always appear serious at first glance? If you think about that some more, then you can see...
Are your communications all tied up?
11-04-2011
Automatically renewable contracts that tie companies with landlines (to repeated minimum contract periods) unless they opt-out are to be banned under proposals being considered by Ofcom. These contracts known as rollover/ evergreen contracts, are currently offered by a number...
The cost of not delivering your promises
11-04-2011
Failing to ensure you choose the correct carrier for your business can cost you in the long run. If you are not careful you could end up with disgruntled customers if the service level you promised is broken as...
Cost Management becoming part of strategic planning
11-04-2011
Recently my own organisation, in conjunction with South West Business Insider, hosted a debate on sustaining a healthy bottom line after almost three years of unabated cost cutting. As consultants in this area what was most interesting – and heartening...
Utilities Cost Reduction: 60% of consumers not changing suppliers
04-04-2011
Ofgem the energy watchdog which promotes fair competition across the energy market bared its teeth last week in a broadside against some of the largest utility companies. The body is looking into a wide range of consumer allegations chief amongst...
30-03-2011
Book Now! Strategies for Growth Forum Succeeding in a Buyer’s Market: Winning Approaches for Suppliers 5 May 2011 8.30am-11am Hilton, Swindon Hotel Organised by Expense Reduction Analysts in association with Swindon Business News & GWE Business West The tough and volatile economic environment continues unabated, fuelled further...
24-03-2011
In a step back to the 80’s Enterprise zone are being resurrected by the Government as announced in the Chancellors Budget to help boost 21 areas across the country. The first 10 new urban Enterprise Zones will be within the...
22-03-2011
The situation in N. Africa and the Middle East has contributed to an upswing in energy prices; not so much on the possibility of interruption to the flow of oil from Libya (which only produces circa 2% of the...
Business Rates Bills 2011/12 Frequently Asked Questions
16-03-2011
The Business Rates bills have been delivered to all businesses in March for the forthcoming 2011/12 rates year. Here are a few frequently asked questions to help you: - My bill has increased significantly for 2011/12 – why is this? Your rates...
14-03-2011
UK's small and mid-sized businesses are under pressure to make savings but say they miss out on discounts enjoyed by larger firms, New American Express Survey shows VAT increase catalyst for more than half (56%) of firms to put balance...
14-03-2011
A new report by the EEF, the manufacturers organisation reveals a continued strong performance for the sector but also warns that there are significant challenges to watch out for in the year ahead. Ian Morrison, a consultant specialising in...
10-03-2011
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is the representative body for the community pharmacy trade in the UK and, in addition to supplying a range of ancillary pharmacy support products at competitive prices, it seeks to support its members by...
09-03-2011
Total fraud losses on UK cards fell by 17% compared to 2009. Total 2010 losses of £365.4m are the lowest since 2000 and follow on from a fall of 28% in 2009, says the UK Cards Association. The downward trend is...
03-03-2011
PhonepayPlus, the regulator for premium rate services, today warned that consumers using search engines (such as Google) to find phone numbers should check results before dialling them. A number of websites offer numbers for information services which are premium rate...
03-03-2011
Ofcom today (3-Mar-2011) announced it is proposing to amend its existing rules in relation to contract terms to prohibit opt-out contract renewals in any form in the landline and broadband sectors. These Automatically Renewable Contracts (ARCs), also known as...
23-02-2011
Each year online purchases continue to rapidly grow with current UK online expenditure topping £40bn in the last 12 months, up from £30bn in 2006. Great news for online retailers, but shipping the product to the customer and making...
18-02-2011
Have you ever wondered why it costs so much more to call a mobile number than a normal landline number? Mobile Network Operators are allowed to charge a “Mobile Termination Fee” (MTF) for all landlines to mobile calls and cross...
16-02-2011
The UK’s information watchdog, the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) last week hit Ealing Council and Hounslow Council with substantial penalties for serious breaches of the Data Protection Act after the loss of two unencrypted laptops containing sensitive personal information. The...
08-02-2011
For the second winter in a row, extreme weather conditions have caused major disruptions to the UK business community, with many roads blocked and trains cancelled, resulting in offices either being closed or open with a skeleton staff only. How much business has this disruption cost you...
08-02-2011
The January sales are in full swing and are utilised ultimately by retailers to exploit price lead decision-making. We are always tempted by headline prices feeding our perception of getting a bargain. Most fall foul and buy a cheap item of clothing on impulse, only for...
Government offers small concessions to ratepayers but takes it back from those with empty sites
08-02-2011
The Government has launched three changes to the rating system in the last couple of months which provide some well needed relief to ratepayers of assessments under £18,000, but there is a sting in the tail for those with empty property! Initially from 1 October 2010...
08-02-2011
In part I of The Benefits of Effective Procurement, I have outlined some of the findings the Aberdeen Group, a US based research organisation, has recently published on what distinguishes best-in-class procurement teams from the average performers and laggards....
07-02-2011
For many industry sectors and organisations, the recession has highlighted the need for cost savings achieved through proactive sourcing and contract negotiations. However, this does not necessarily address the problem of sustainable effective procurement processes and ‘best in class’...
Make a difference to your bottom line
25-01-2011
Paul Wheatley, a consultant with Expense Reduction Analysts, a leader in UK cost, purchase and supplier management, explains how organisations in the care sector can learn from the Comprehensive Spending Review in a recent issue of Caring UK As the...
13-01-2011
Winter struck the UK with a vengeance in late November and through December, with the inevitable increase in demand for commonly used heating oils (Kerosene and Gasoil). This had an almost immediate and rather shocking affect on prices, with...
28-12-2010
The VAT increase to 20% is only days away now and will automatically add some 2.13% to many overheads charities incur. This is on top of the traditional round of annual price increases at the beginning of January for...
23-12-2010
Inflation rose to a six-month high in November denting any hopes of further monetary easing by the Bank of England in the near future. Consumer Price Inflation rose to 3.3 percent last month from October's 3.2 percent, marking the 11th...
22-12-2010
After some recent good news for small businesses with announcements of more generous treatment of the Small Business Rate Relief regulations, the government has announced the end of the generous relief for vacant property under £18,000 rateable value. The Government...
24-11-2010
Standard Chartered sold the few shares not taken up in its £3.3 billion pound rights issue at just below a record high price, helped by optimism the call will fuel strong growth. The fund-raising will boost capital ahead of tougher...
Fleet Cost Management Guide: Delighted Clients
22-11-2010
In the last 18 months, ERA Fleet Cost Management has identified savings of over £1.6m whilst increasing efficiency and adding value to our clients. The following is a small sample of recent fleet projects undertaken by ERA Fleet Cost Management...
08-11-2010
According to a report in The Sunday Times, the Royal Mail recently summoned its top 150 suppliers to a Central London meeting and asked them to cut their costs by at least 20%. This follows only weeks after Serco...
06-11-2010
Far East & Indian sub-continent westbound (import) rates/space/equipment update No carrier should have imposed any Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) and this position should continue up to the New Year at least. Ocean freight rates for November have also reduced from October...
28-10-2010
Our banks could have to pay out over £5 billion to compensate customers who were mis-sold insurance policies after Bank of America were warned that it faces a big hit. The competition watchdog has been probing the possible mis-selling of...
26-10-2010
We are finding that many businesses particularly in manufacturing but also increasingly office users are cutting back on staff. Initially it was a reduction in the use of temporary staff to reduce fixed staff costs but as the down-turn...
25-10-2010
Global banking supervisors have agreed to phase in the introduction of a new global standard on lenders' minimum short-term funding cover, allowing under-pressure banks a collective sigh of relief. The Basel Committee (representing 27 countries) had already agreed to...
22-10-2010
Have you been told that your card payment processing charges are going up? There is widespread evidence that most of the major merchant acquirers are imposing – or trying to impose - price increases across great swathes of their customer bases. The...
22-10-2010
If not… You will find it challenging in the extreme to optimise your overhead costs In many businesses and organisations strategic costs are controlled by procurement professionals in a purchasing or buying department. But who buys the non-strategic services and...
20-10-2010
IT technology continues to evolve rapidly, but with no department ring-fenced from budgetary cuts and the wider impacts of the Comprehensive Spending Review, it has become even more important to ensure IT assets are optimally provisioned to maximise value. IT...
18-10-2010
With transport fleets having just suffered one increase in fuel duty and another on the way, is it time to revisit the management of fuel consumption ? Diesel fuel now represents up to 40% of the cost of operating...
18-10-2010
Procurement professionals and leading publications all talk about supplier relationship management (SRM), but why? What does this mean? You only have to look at the benefits gained by Premier Foods working with British Sugar (winners of the the best...
11-10-2010
Effective cost management cannot, in most cases, be carried out by senior management and/or consultants in isolation from those within the organisation that are involved in the purchasing or are affected by the service or products being purchased. These individuals,...
08-10-2010
There is still considerable interest by tenants looking to renegotiate their property costs. Companies that occupy property with around 2 years to run before lease expiry or break date are in a particularly strong position. A typical scenario is...
06-10-2010
Expect more emphasis on plastic-card fraud prevention measures in the future .... because they are working! This author has long-blogged and written articles stressing the importance that the card industry places on security measures. Their success now seems apparent as...
04-10-2010
Whilst obtaining the cheapest unit price for goods and services is obviously a good idea, there are sometimes additional factors that can cause additional costs to the unit costs. By way of example, I recently looked at a firm of...
22-09-2010
New national minimum wage rates will be coming into force in October. There is a new rule for 21-year-olds. Previously, employees would have to be aged 22 to become eligible for the top hourly minimum wage adult rate, but...
13-09-2010
The world’s central banks have announced new “reserve capital” requirements for banks to – ideally – ensure they neither fail nor require taxpayer support in future crises. Whilst I personally welcome the fact that this is a unified global response...
09-09-2010
If your organisation had any half hourly electricity meters during 2008, you need to register with the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme before the end of September – no matter how little electricity you used. The consequence if you don’t? The...
05-09-2010
Major Structural Changes in UK Freight The Department for Transport has recently published its annual Road Freight Transport Statistics Bulletin 2009, and interpreting the figures provides a fascinating analysis of the changes occurring in the Distribution Sector. This year’s publication...
12-08-2010
Confusion on the way for Gasoil users What’s the issue ? EU Directive 2009/30/EC introduces a requirement that, from 1st January 2011, all gas oil (commonly known in the UK as 'red diesel') marketed for use in non-road mobile...
11-08-2010
360 million, that’s the number of low-energy light bulbs distributed free by the six big energy companies over the past eight years, or 17 per household. A survey by the Energy Trust suggests that at least a third remain...
04-08-2010
With the explosion of mobile devices, businesses should not overlook the very important aspect of device security and organisational remote access risk. The rapid development of technology has left many businesses gasping for breath as they strive to keep...
30-07-2010
It’s about a decade ago that we were bombarded from all forms of media and Royal Mail vans to ‘Use Your Postcode’; today’s equivalent is Reduce, Re-use and Recycle. WRAP, or Waste & Resources Action Programme, is a not for...
28-07-2010
With 1 in every 36 £1 coins in circulation in the UK counterfeit, how can managers guide staff to spot forgeries? Almost two million counterfeit £1 coins were returned to the Royal Mint in the last financial year. This was more than...
27-07-2010
Businesses in the Hospitality Industry are most at risk of compromising client card data. What can managers do to improve their own business and set it apart from their peers? I was impressed with many of the pointers in Visa...
24-07-2010
“We have to date engaged Expense Reduction Analysts on ten categories of expenditure with travel and hotels our next target for review as this forms a large part of our spend. Our experience to date of working with Expense...
16-07-2010
The valuation of hotels and pubs are based on turnover valuations so as a guide, the larger the turnover the larger the rating assessment. If operators are struggling to make significant profits it is possible through a close analysis...
07-07-2010
Visa's contactless cards in UK circulation passed the 8 million mark in June and will grow to 12 million by the year end, so reckons the card scheme. Whilst much of the current growth is down to Barclays' decision to issue contactless cards as...
07-07-2010
Everything Everywhere has been launched. Everything Everywhere Limited was officially integrated on the 1st July 2010 and is the merger of T-Mobile UK and Orange UK. As one company, it has over 30 million customers, 16,000 employees and 700 stores nationwide....
05-07-2010
Since the 1st of July there have been a number of changes in the maximum rates that mobile service providers can charge within the EU: - The maximum roaming call rate has been cut to £0.34/minute (10% reduction) - The maximum...
30-06-2010
We have observed much speculation with some elements of the trade press recently suggesting that as we emerge from recession, service is of higher priority than cost-control going forward. However, our experience is rather different. Price inflation in some of...
Care Homes Guide: Reducing Medical & Waste Costs
29-06-2010
At Expense Reduction Analysts we are frequently asked to review the waste and medical supplies costs associated with Nursing and Care Homes. In many instances we find the staff and management are under pressure to deliver the best possible service...
24-06-2010
The Budget has been and gone. The focus was on debt reduction, a review of costs and questioning about how and where further savings maybe generated. Overall an exercise which organisations of all types and sizes will be...
16-06-2010
Metro Bank will - hopefully - be a name to reckon with before too long. Its first branch opens in London's Southampton Row on 29th July, with Earl's Court a week later. 12 more London branches and a total...
16-06-2010
“ ……. the most professional pro-active guys I have dealt with – and you know I am not easily pleased…..” Richard Slatford Financial Controller Royal Academy of...
14-06-2010
There may be some bumps in the road to economic recovery ahead as has been indicated by the disappointing growth in services showing a slowdown during May in both new business and employment. Analysts had expected a strong reading...
14-06-2010
Given the economic circumstances, a focused approach to cost analysis and management cannot be overestimated. An often overlooked fact is that it is easier to control costs than to create new sales. Considerable investment (not necessarily financial, but also in...
02-06-2010
Visa has launched its CodeSure system to make online transactions more secure. Cards have a display and generate one-time codes to authenticate online transactions. Once in issue, Visa cards will feature an alpha-numeric display and a 12-button keypad built into the back of a...
Working towards Delighted Clients
29-05-2010
In a recent interview, Steve Denning, author of award-winning books like The Secret Language of Leadership, spoke about his ideas on delighting clients. Delighting clients should be central to the future plans and strategy of any business. Delighted clients support...
26-05-2010
More and more people in business are coming to recognise the value of the various types of social networking, such as Linkedin, Facebook, blogging, etc. However, one of the more recent developments in this arena, Twitter, also appears to...
Thinking about setting up as a management consultant?
20-05-2010
It seems to be more and more in vogue to pack in the rat race and set up your own company, even (or maybe especially) in the current economic climate. Here are 10 things to consider before taking the...
20-05-2010
Speaking at the Confederation of British Industry annual dinner last night, the chancellor George Osborne has pledged a thorough review of UK corporation taxes and promised lower tax rates. 'I want corporate tax reform to be a priority for...
19-05-2010
A recent study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development concluded that making job cuts should be the last resort in the current economic downturn, after revealing that the cost of laying off an employee could be more...
13-05-2010
BBC news today reported that hospital food cooked with fresh local ingredients could put hundreds of millions of pounds back into the NHS, one hospital trust has said. Catering managers at Nottingham City Hospital and the Queen's Medical Centre have...
13-05-2010
With spring time now officially upon us and a new tax year under way, there has never been a better time for businesses to spend some time spring-cleaning their finances to help get their firms into ship shape condition...
13-05-2010
Whichever government emerged recently, I have long been convinced that VAT will rise. Now the BBC has revealed that a survey of influential economists agrees. 24 out of the 28 independent economists used by HM Treasury to assist its forecasts expected...
28-04-2010
The new 2010 Rating Revaluation commenced on the 1st April. This has affected properties in England, Wales and Scotland with phasing of the largest changes in liability, although no phasing (transitional relief) exists in Scotland and Wales. The average increase...
22-04-2010
Inflation is back, so when will interest rates rise? Because they will rise! Reuters published a poll of opinions from a panel of 64 economists on 1st April and whilst it masks a range of views, the consensus is a start to the...
19-04-2010
An article published today in FM World, the online magazine of the British Institute of Facilities Management, reported that local authorities are wary of savings targets. More than eight out of 10 local government decision-makers believe the £5.5bn of efficiency...
14-04-2010
Universities received a record £25.4 billion income last year, up by 8.3%, but also faced higher costs. The biggest increase was in paying interest and other financial costs, figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show. Income from investments and endowments...
14-04-2010
In a recent blog posting I commented on “Managing Charity Finances Through Uncertain Times” – a Baker Tilley report on the actions charities were taking to reduce the impact of lower income on their charitable works. Another report has...
14-04-2010
Mobile operators strike back over Ofcom MTR proposals. O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone and Orange have stated that Ofcom’s recent mobile termination rate (MTR) proposals are ‘deeply flawed’ and are likely to result in price rises for end users rather than...
14-04-2010
Will Cash soon no longer be "King"? Card transactions could seize the UK "payments throne" within 5 years. In its 'The Way We Pay 2010' report, the UK Payments Council notes that cash, on the face of it, still appears...
08-04-2010
Q. When can you claim back tax your business didn't pay? A. If your business uses Royal Mail under a negotiated contract! According to leading Accountants Smith & Williamson organisations may potentially be able to reclaim thousands of pounds from...
06-04-2010
Currently, when a call from a landline to a mobile or a cross network mobile call is made, the receiving network is allowed to make a termination charge of 4.3 pence. This charge is regulated by Ofcom and was...
How green is your procurement?
06-04-2010
How green is your procurement? Do you consider the environmental impact of purchases when procuring products or services? The Green Procurement guide is a step-by-step approach to help businesses move towards greener procurement. It will help you to make purchasing...
Buying Groups - The Price of Everything, The Value of Nothing?
05-04-2010
Many organisations, public and private sector, educational, charity or company, use a buying group, buying consortium or Group Purchasing Organisation (GPO) in the UK. They provide useful savings over and above those available to the individual organisations and help...
Business Rates 2010 deadline
31-03-2010
In these difficult economic times you don't want to miss out on potential cash savings. On 31st March 2010 the Government will close the window of opportunity to appeal the rating assessments on the existing Rating List to make...
30-03-2010
There are a number of elements that could have a major impact on paper prices in the next few months, the Finnish Port strikes are over which should help. However the following comments were made in PrintWeek (Helen Morris) “Stora...
26-03-2010
I’m sure that many Finance Directors have asked themselves this question, and it is certainly something that a few FDs have asked me over the years. There are a number of things I would recommend that you consider if...
24-03-2010
The government wants banks to "lend" more, the banks need to shrink their balance sheets. Are the two incompatible? Today's budget changed the "net lending targets" for RBS and Lloyds to "gross lending targets" instead. Is it just political semantics...
24-03-2010
Most people are aware of the general duty increases for petrol, diesel and other fuel oils as a result of previous budget announcements. However, fewer purchasers are aware of the triple whammy for road fuels implemented from 1st April. ...
22-03-2010
State spending now accounts for over half the UK economy, for the first time ever. And that excludes bailouts for the Banks! In 1997 the figure was 40%, but it now stands at 52% according to the OECD. This is...
12-03-2010
Understand Your Profile Some carriers charge per consignment, others by parcel. If the ratio of parcels to consignments is one to one - it may be more cost effective to use a supplier that charges a parcel rate International / Domestic Some...
11-03-2010
Yesterday the UK Cards Association reported a drop in card fraud losses of 28% in 2009. Transactions where card holders are not present (phone, internet and mail order) continue to be the main area of losses at 60% of...
05-03-2010
Customer "plastic card" data security is still lax for many UK retailers. Staggeringly the vast majority have still to be certified as PCI DSS* compliant. Even more worryingly, a third appear unsure if they will meet the planned 30th September deadline. These latter are in real...
Charity Begins at Home For Charities.
05-03-2010
In a recent survey 83% of charities questioned expected government funding to only stay the same or decrease in the next twelve months. In fact two fifths of them thought it would decrease significantly. Nearly 90% of them expected...
05-03-2010
What can companies do to avoid having to make compulsory redundancies? A number of things can be done which, if started soon enough, can help prevent the need for a compulsory redundancy situation arising. Help prevent compulsory redundancy by Stop recruitment Ban overtime Lay...
02-03-2010
The upper amount for contactless card payments has been increased from £10 to £15. This is a big boost to the card industry's drive for wider acceptance of the payment method and brings the UK into line with the eurozone, where the limit is...
02-03-2010
Any company producing waste is subject to a plethora of ever-increasing regulations, causing costs to rise year on year. How can your business manage waste disposal costs in this sort of environment? First of all, find out what regulations are...
01-03-2010
Initial moves were made in Europe last week to significantly increase the amount paid in maternity benefits to all new mothers. On 24 February the Women’s Rights Committee voted to increase the statutory maternity allowance for all mothers in the EU to include...
26-02-2010
Who read recent headlines and thought that the recovery from recession was greater than expected? Me too! When the ONS announced its growth revision upwards from 0.1% in Q4 '09 to 0.3% I thought, well its not much more, but what...
Survey suggests resignations among managers 'rise despite downturn'
24-02-2010
Reduce costs – but keep your valuable & irreplaceable staff A report from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) found that over 225,000 managers quit their jobs in the year to the end of January, despite the possibility of unemployment and...
22-02-2010
2010 could potentially be marking the start of a difficult period for the care sector. Not only will care and nursing homes be facing the consequences of an increase in VAT after the general election (I have been addressing...
19-02-2010
1. Heating, air con, office equipment and lighting are the biggest users of office power – check settings fit actual need 2. ‘Think before you print’ tags for emails and documents encourages staff to consider the impact of printing and...
19-02-2010
For once we may not get a cold from an American sneeze; but they yesterday raised their "Base Rate" as the Discount Rate has just risen from 0.5% to 0.75%. It is not expected to feed through to consumers as - like...
18-02-2010
Bank lending to UK businesses is 8.1% lower than a year ago! Latest official figures show the fastest drop in commercial borrowing since records began. And the credit crunch is not to blame as demand for borrowing remains “muted” in...
18-02-2010
Hi Neill – thanks for this – we’re very happy with what you are doing for us. Thanks, kind regards Carmel Clarke , Office Manager , Tilly Bailey...
16-02-2010
There have been rumours in the media for a while that certainly the Conservative Party were considering a VAT increase should they win the election in the spring. But, according to an article in The Times , the Labour...
10-02-2010
The Bank of England's quarterly inflation forecast out today suggests an RPI peak over 3.5% in the next quarter, but then a rapid fall to below 1% in 12 month's time. What I found quite telling was its prediction of...
10-02-2010
This edition of the 'IT Cost Reduction Ideas' series focuses on software license agreement management. SAP user groups have welcomed a pricing turnaround from SAP, the world's largest business software company. It had intended to force customers to move from standard...
Is the Company telephone preference service a good idea?
09-02-2010
While the main benefit of being registered is the lack of unwanted sales calls, a distinct disadvantage is that alternative suppliers cannot contact you to submit their services and prices. This could mean that you are paying over market...
IT Cost Reduction Ideas: Effective software asset management helps manage Microsoft software costs
03-02-2010
Keeping abreast of movements in the technology market helps Expense Reduction Analysts to keep our clients at the forefront of IT cost reduction opportunities. Despite the flat economy, spending on software is set to rise by almost five per...
02-02-2010
A survey of 55 analysts from UK financiers suggests a rise in base rate to 1% in Q4 this year, followed by 0.5% increases each subsequent quarter; seeing 2.5% by Q3 2011. The survey was conducted by Reuters on 7th January...
29-01-2010
Companies must get used to higher borrowing margins as Standard & Poors' (S&P) downgrade the UK banking system to be on a par with Chile and Portugal. That's worse than Italy (!!) and Belgium and a far cry from our former...
28-01-2010
Seaquist Closures is a world leading manufacturer of dispensing closures (lids/tops to you and me) to the food & beverage, personal care and household markets. Seaquist Closures were the pioneers of self-sealing valve technology enabling food to be stored...
28-01-2010
When Belzona Polymerics engaged Neill Summerfield of Expense Reduction Analysts to review their telecom costs, it was in the knowledge that the company already kept a tight rein on spending in this area. It was also felt that an external consultancy would...
26-01-2010
Spam Survey 2009 has revealed that less than 5% of all email traffic is delivered to mailboxes. For businesses with a keen interest in IT security management and how to stop spam, the annual status report produced by the EU...
23-01-2010
ERA Property been instructed to renegotiate the lease committments on 4 sites after a "desktop" review of a client's operational portfolio. Based on an initial one day's consultancy, we confirmed that the actual property costs and commitments across 11 sites...
22-01-2010
Banks are continuing to significantly increase margins. The Bank of England reported yesterday that the effective interest rate on all new or refinanced corporate lending has risen from 2 per cent in August to 2.4 per cent in November, even...
21-01-2010
Sterling Commerce, part of AT&T, today announced results of pan-European research investigating the factors that will drive companies to consider and adopt cloud-based business-to-business integration services. The research, carried out amongst 300 senior information technology (IT) managers across France,...
20-01-2010
Cost cutting success sees IBM raise its profit target for 2010 after helping it increase its net earnings by 9% in the final quarter of 2009. "Big Blue" made a net profit of $4.8bn (£2.9bn) between October and December, up...
19-01-2010
Inflation is back with a bang. Now the question is what will happen to UK interest rates as prices rise at their fastest ever month-on-month pace? The Office for National Statistics announced today that Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rose 1% last month, taking...
14-01-2010
The recent bout of harsh weather conditions brings into sharp relief once again the need to properly consider two areas of telecommunications contingency planning to cover: Cancelled Meetings Consider videoconferencing as an acceptable alternative 1. Technology means that with now ever increasing...
13-01-2010
Will borrowing costs go up this year? The Bank of England has started signalling that base rate may rise in the coming months. The unequivocal warning comes from one of the bank's policymakers, Andrew Sentance, in an interview in today's Guardian. Controlling...
13-01-2010
In my previous blog, I made the connection between addressing issues of climate change/carbon footprints and good cost management. Here are some tips about how you could do this in your workplace: 1. Start by reviewing your direct energy costs,...
IT cost reduction ideas: HD Video Conferencing
11-01-2010
In the 'IT Cost Reduction Ideas' series, I want to explore the impact that High-Definition Video Conferencing is likely to have on business in the next few years. Last week, VoIP firm Skype announced a new deal which will see...
Can Profit replace Turnover?
07-01-2010
Just about everyone has heard the saying “Turnover is Vanity – Profit is Sanity". It is undoubtedly true, but you can’t have the second without the first. In the present economic climate many organisations are suffering reduced profitability through a reduction...
Improve your business Profit Margin with these top tips on reducing Water costs
07-01-2010
Top tips for reducing water costs: Check the meter serial number - make sure you are billed for your meter. Always measure and monitor the amount of water you use. Compare water use each year so you can identify any unusual...
VIDEO - Interview With One of Adam's Delighted Clients - Part 1
06-01-2010
Interviews with three delighted clients, talking about the value they have received from our service. David Boothman (MD of The Charlesworth Group) is one of Adam's clients and is the chap wearing...
VIDEO - Interview With One of Adam's Delighted Clients - Part 2
06-01-2010
Interviews with three delighted clients, talking about the value they have received from our service. David Boothman (MD of The Charlesworth Group) is one of Adam's clients and is the chap wearing...
Charlesworth reviews costs to enhance competitiveness (published Daily Telegraph 29 September 2009)
06-01-2010
With a 6% increase in sales during the last year, Wakefield-based Charlesworth Group is one UK business that continues to grow during the downturn following a strategic review of costs that have enhanced its competitiveness Charlesworth Group is one of the UK’s...
What's the connection between climate change and good cost management?
28-12-2009
The climate change summit in Copenhagen focussed so much on who is going to stump up the bill, it would be easy to conclude that reducing our carbon footprint is a costly business. Here’s the good news – reducing your...
The Economic Picture at the End of 2009
24-12-2009
Figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that during November the cost of factory raw materials and overheads have risen at their fastest pace this year. The main reason given seems to be the steady increase in...
Small is Best with Significant Rent Saving
23-12-2009
Our Property team have just agreed a significant rent saving on a client’s 1,190 sq ft office outside Norwich. The landlord was proposing to increase the rent from £13,685 pa to £15,500 pa when the client’s lease expired during October...
Chancellor raises empty rates exemption limit
18-12-2009
There was some good news for owners and occupiers of empty property during the recent Pre-Budget Report where the Chancellor announced that empty properties beneath an increased threshold would remain exempt from business rates for 2010/11. The Government will...
Paperless ticketing gets wheels
18-12-2009
The steady move towards widespread contactless card payments has been given a major boost as the government launches a public transport e-ticketing programme. It could see England's nine major urban areas go paperless within five years. The Smart and Integrated Ticketing Strategy...
17-12-2009
Getting value from social media December 2009 The market is ablaze with the latest form of buzzword bingo: social media. Everything and everyone has become social - social CRM, social business, social government. Some of the biggest software vendors from Microsoft...
Cheques bouncing into history
16-12-2009
UK banks have voted to stop the cheque clearing system in 2018. If a viable alternative exists at that time. The press are having a field day, but most of them ignore the stated proviso of a working alternative. Its...
Factory overheads surge. Cutting costs is the key to competitive advantage.
11-12-2009
Companies that successfully reduce business overheads will gain a significant competitive advantage in 2010 as inflation hits both these costs and raw material prices . The Office for National Statistics (ONS) latest figures show overheads have risen at their fastest pace for 12 months. Input...
Law firms profit margins slide
09-12-2009
This article was published on the Manchester Evening News website on 25th November 2009 - Does it sound familiar to you? If so, you may wish to visit this link for how to increase profits in some areas. http://www.expense-reduction.co.uk/2009/11/increasing-profits-for-the-legal-sector/ PROFITS...
I'm worried about the environment, but I'm going to fly more next year
07-12-2009
Price and convenience are seen as being far more important than the environment, according to the study by research company TNS-RI Travel and Tourism. Whilst two thirds admit that they frequently discuss environmental issues, and 73% state that they are...
UK Economy "may" have turned - from someone who should know...
02-12-2009
Maths and Economics show that "........if you lay 10,000 economists end to end ........they still cannot reach an accurate conclusion" (Sorry!). However even an old cynic like me listens when the Bank of England's own chief economist speaks because...
It's Good to Talk Isn't It?
01-12-2009
BT business has increased many business call costs from 1st December 2009, only a month after increasing line rental. For BT Standard, (ie non-discounted tariffs) call set-up is up to 8p, local peak up to 6.5p/min (up from 4p in...
Cost Management trumps Customer Satisfaction
01-12-2009
CDW's third annual survey finds IT decision makers say managing costs takes priority ahead of improving customer satisfaction and increasing market share. CDW found that cautious IT professionals are more optimistic about 2010, but the top focus of their organisations...
Do compatible toners cost more than originals?
01-12-2009
Reading The Economist recently, I noticed an advert placed by HP stating that compatible toners cost up to twice as much over time than original HP toners, despite a 42% price differential. At Expense Reduction Analysts, one recommendation we...
Latest Economic Research Makes Grim Reading
01-12-2009
The CBI advised yesterday in its latest service sector survey of an unexpected fall in sales and profits in the three months to the end of November. The statement says that after the modest improvement in the three months...
High oil prices threaten economic recovery
28-11-2009
The recent rise in oil prices, buoyed by growing global demand and economic revival, “risks derailing the recovery” if it continues, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The IEA, the Paris-based agency, which advises 28 industrialised economies, raised its...
28-11-2009
European companies’ in 2010 are expected to still maintain a wait-and-see attitude on travel in view of the latest effects of the crisis, with only 20% anticipating an increase in their travel budget, 61% no change and 19% predicting...
Increasing profits for the Legal Sector
27-11-2009
Throughout the Northwest, I have now worked for a number of Solicitor Clients. In every case, we have managed to find savings for them, in many cases with their existing suppliers. The figures in bold below are savings achieved with the...
Better buying helps BT cut costs by £900 million
27-11-2009
Telecoms giant BT is the latest firm to credit procurement for cutting costs during difficult economic conditions. In the company's second quarter results for the three months ended 30 September, BT said it was making good progress with cost reduction...
Government announces Multiplier for 2010/11 rates bills
26-11-2009
The Government have now announced the basis of calculating companies rates bills for 2010/11. A rates bill is determined by multiplying the rateable value by a Uniform Business Rate (Multiplier) and this has now been confirmed. In some cases...
26-11-2009
Property consultant Paul Giness urges companies to act quickly The majority of companies across the UK, already battling against the economic downturn, have received another setback with business rates due to rise significantly as from next year. All businesses in England...
Royal Mail forced to charge VAT on business client contracts
25-11-2009
As a result of a challenge by a competitor to Royal Mail - TNT Post - in the European Court of Justice, Royal Mail will now have to charge VAT on the majority of business it tenders for. The...
Chequing out for the last time?
23-11-2009
UK banks are expected to soon announce that 2018 will herald the end of cheques. Cheque Guarantee cards are already set to disappear in 2011 as part of what the industry payment council (APACS) calls a "managed decline" of paper-based...
Further insights into partnerships and sustained cost reduction
23-11-2009
Continuing the theme of succeeding in partnerships for sustained cost reduction, I am going to explore some more of the ideas put forward by Jonathan Lewis at Sheffield’s Cathedral Archer Project’s Partnerships conference. “For a partnership to work, there needs...
OEM or Compatible Inks and Toners?
20-11-2009
Have you noticed the recent TV ads where HP tell us that their inks and toners offer better value for money than their non-branded competitors? You will no doubt have had the debate in your office: Are original, genuine,...
Green Telephone Minutes
20-11-2009
It's interesting to see Green approaches now arriving in the Comms sector, although they are not necessarily easy to find. A Green minute can be described as carbon neutral when the estimated energy required to transport it is effectively fully...
Card tricks from across the Pond.
19-11-2009
At last .... anti-fraud measures that work! A fall in online card fraud, from $4bn to $3.3bn, is the first year-on-year reduction in revenue losses for US and Canadian merchants since 2003. And UK online retailers can learn from...
Irish hotels staring bankruptcy in the face
17-11-2009
The Irish hotel industry needs to take out 25% of its 60,000 rooms as it is facing bankruptcy, according to a new report by the commissioned by the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF). The industry is insolvent and, the report said. The...
Inflation rises for first time in 8 months!
17-11-2009
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) published today shows inflation at 1.5pc. The increase seems mainly due to the steep fall in oil prices last year. Economists had forecast circa 1.4pc. so no great surprises here. Moreover, the broader measure of inflation - the Retail...
Burden of Card Compliance hitting Retailers
16-11-2009
Already one of the sectors hardest hit by the recession, retailers are facing more costs. A new payment card security standard to help protect consumers from fraud is being introduced. This means additional fees. The Payment Card Industry Security Standards...
Demand and Finance remain greatest issues for UK businesses
16-11-2009
Access to finance remains a serious problem for British businesses, despite the Bank of England pumping £200 billion into the economy to boost money supply and stimulate lending. In the latest Monthly Business Survey, published today by the British Chambers...
Will VAT at 17.5% Seem "Low" Soon?
14-11-2009
How long before the UK has a 20% VAT rate? Most of the major EEC economies do already! Stefano Pessina, executive chairman of Alliance Boots anticipates a crippling rise in VAT after the general election. He said this week in a newspaper...
WSPA overhauls its travel practice to ensure ‘duty of care’ and achieve savings
13-11-2009
The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has been promoting animal welfare for more than 25 years. The largest alliance of animal welfare societies, WSPA has a vision of a world where animal welfare matters, and animal...
World moving to airport self-service check-in's
13-11-2009
The SITA Airport IT Trends survey, unveiled at the Airports Council International world conference in Kuala Lumpur has found that IT budgets for airports in 2008 were largely unaffected by the global economic downturn and the majority (80%) of...
Business need tighten travel policies
13-11-2009
Leading travel managment company, FCm Travel Solutions, says business travellers need to review and tighten travel policies to keep costs down during the fragile path to economic recovery. Corporates in the UK will also continue to hold the...
New group to build industry standard on airline & hotel "unbundling"
13-11-2009
Unbundling is the practice airlines and hotels levying extra charges in addition to their fares or rates for other services. These include checking in baggage on airlines or WiFi connections in hotels and has become a controversial issue in the...
Only about 60 years left of useable oil on this planet - governments need to put environmental tax revenues into green solutions
12-11-2009
The UK government has implemented a big APD increase this month with more to follow next November, At a WTM seminar, three senior figures in the aviation and sustainable travel world - BAA Stansted’s head of environment Dr Andy...
12-11-2009
Yesterday I launched the IT cost reduction 'ideas' series. This follow-up article today explores some of the more intangible benefits of cloud-based email communications. As an IT cost reduction solution, utilizing cloud computing should achieve the same or improved communication results at...
Retailers gearing up for "Wave and Pay"
11-11-2009
The "Contactless" card payment acceptance market is set for step growth. A recent independent report suggests the number of retail locations that accept contactless payments is set to surge by more than 12.5 million within 5 years. The report by IMS...
IT cost reduction ideas: email in the cloud
11-11-2009
There are many different ways that your business can work towards successful IT cost reduction. The key to any successful and profitable business in today's economic climate is to be as fluid and lean as possible. In the first...
Climate Summit - Airlines under pressure to reduce carbon emissions"
10-11-2009
A new paper put out on November 9 by Project Icarus, the environmental scheme launched by the UK and Ireland Institute of Travel and Meetings (ITM), said increased pressure on airlines would be one of the main implications of...
Will Raw Material Costs Strangle the Recovery?
06-11-2009
Could "input" inflation squeeze growth? Manufacturers' raw material costs leapt up by 2.6 per cent in October, the Office for National Statistics reported 6th November. The increase in input prices was larger than analysts expected and is the biggest since June 2008....
BT Increase Business Line Rental Charges
05-11-2009
BT has increased business line rental from 1st November 2009, an analogue line is up 2.5% to £15.24/month, ISDN-2e £34.47 and ISDN-30e to £16.90 per channel. Wholesale rates have not increased so the opportunity of cutting costs via alternative suppliers...
Quantative Easing ... what does it really mean?
05-11-2009
Quantative Easing .... just what is it? In "Quantitative Easing Explained" the Bank of England says that direct injections of money into the economy, which they do mainly by buying gilts, is planned so:- "... sellers of the assets have...
What makes partnerships work?
04-11-2009
Having established that partnerships are important in achieving sustained cost reduction for our clients, I now want to explore some ideas about what makes a partnership work and what might make it break down. I recently went to a...
UK factory activity sees big rise
02-11-2009
UK factory orders rose at their fastest in almost six years and activity grew at its fastest pace for two years in October, according to the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS). The survey amongst members suggests the economy has...
Opportunity of Olympic Proportions!
02-11-2009
Do you have 10,000 toilets for rent? Or 17,000 beds? Then the London Olympics need your business! Keep an eye out on 4th November as the organisers detail tender arrangements for everything from 200,000 temporary seats to table-tennis balls and...
Where Will Costs Head Next?
30-10-2009
As we are fast approaching the end of a difficult 2009, many manufacturers and suppliers will be pondering again soon the question as to whether and by how much to increase their prices at the beginning of 2010. While...
Wave and Park
30-10-2009
Westminster City Council is to trial 'wave and pay' parking meters in 2010. Motorists can then use contactless credit or debit cards to pay for parking in central London. The trial run of the new meters will be at 20 locations and if it...
Reduce IT costs, improve service levels and do more with less: CA poll of IT directors
29-10-2009
Security was the main IT concern of every IT director polled in a CA study Security is the most important IT issue facing UK businesses, according to a CA survey of 560 IT directors across the globe, with 100% of...
27-10-2009
The O2 monopoly is coming to the end in the UK. The latest version of this originally consumer-orientated media rich mobile phone will undoubtedly be a serious contender on the business front with speed and diversity of connection now...
Why are 0870 and 0844 numbers still expensive to dial despite Ofcom investigations?
27-10-2009
What a farce, communications companies are generally NOT charging the same cost to dial an 0870 number as they are to dial a number commencing 01 or 02, despite the new Ofcom ruling that came into force 1st August...
Retail Therapy for the Economy?
27-10-2009
Are there "Green shoots" in the High St at last? Sales are growing at their fastest rate since the slump began, according to figures today from the CBI. 41% of retailers reported sales volumes for the year to October had...
Cutting the Christmas Party a False Economy
27-10-2009
Just as organisations need to retain and sell more to existing customers to grow, business success is highly dependent upon the retention and continuing motivation of existing employees. The report on RTE that 79% of companies have cancelled office parties with 71%...
A missed opportunity for credit?
27-10-2009
No companies have yet taken part in its scheme to lend cash in return for commercial paper reports the Bank of England today. The "Secured Commercial Paper Facility" aims to channel money to firms by buying asset-backed commercial paper secured on companies’...
"Turbo Charge" The Profits From Quality Management Systems
27-10-2009
As organisations strive to become more efficient, the implementation of Quality Management Systems (QMS), such as 6 Sigma, Lean, Kaizen and Business Process Improvement become a key priority. The positive impact on profits, from a combination of streamlining, waste and re-work reduction...
26-10-2009
In Expense Reduction Analysts, we talk a lot about partnerships with our clients. But are partnerships really necessary, or is it all marketing speak? Our clients employ us to help them reduce costs; our work is only truly successful if...
Its official! Banks still increasing cost of borrowing
22-10-2009
Business borrowing rates average 2.5% over Base Rate - up by 0.5% on a year ago - as banks increase profit margins. The Bank of England today published its monetary trends report for October and this shows that the trend appears...
Fuel Cost Case Studies
22-10-2009
Whilst delivering percentage savings less than the Expense Reduction Analysts average, significant spends are the norm, and therefore good absolute savings are being achieved: See all Logistics Team Blogs Sector Project Annual Spend (£) Annual Savings (£) Road Transport 3rd Party Logistics Supplier Bulk Diesel and Fuelcards £2.7m £85k UK...
Give your business a ‘cost healthcheck’
22-10-2009
A recent study by the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development concluded that making job cuts should be the last resort in the current economic downturn, after revealing that the cost of laying off an employee could be more...
Britain’s hospices may have to cut back care for terminally ill patients because of the recession, according to exclusive research carried out for Sky News.
22-10-2009
More than a third of hospices expect they will fail to raise enough money this financial year to fund their services. A similar number are expecting a funding gap in the next financial year, which starts in April. Hospices...
Some recent Bank Charge savings for our clients
21-10-2009
A client in Surrey asked us to review annual banking charges of £103k that included cash processing costs of £78k. Our review identified simple changes, with full and enthusiastic help of their bank, which produced yearly savings of £46k. A...
20-10-2009
Logistics Case Studies The table below shows examples of some of our recent project results. See all Logistics Team Blogs Sector Project Annual Spend (£) Annual Savings (£) Annual Savings (%) Manufacturer in PRINT equipment industry Exports - road, air & sea £460K £135K 29% Retail FASHION Inbound...
Internet Shopping – The New Retail Revolution, but a Logistics Cost black-hole ?
17-10-2009
To many businesses, Internet Shopping represents an increasingly important part of their sales mix. It may be that their retail customers demand that they provide a home-delivery service for product sold through the retailer’s web-site or from store. Alternatively,...
16-10-2009
Within the next week, Windows 7 will be launched to the world. Microsoft and the major hardware vendors hope that the relatively warm reviews Windows 7 has thus far received will see the upturn in the market they expect. For...
10-09-2009
I have noticed over the last 2-3 months that the volume of savings delivered to clients in our Supply Audits has begun to increase again. A number of clients have also moved from reduced hours working back to full...
04-09-2009
British businesses and organisations will face a wake up call when new rules from Ofcom, the telecoms regulator, relating to the 0870 number range take effect from 1 August, predicts a top telecommunications expert. Nigel Rosehill, head of the communications team...
01-09-2009
Most IT organizations don’t struggle with coming up with ideas. Indeed, most IT managers have strong “hunches” on where they are spending too much and good ideas on how to fix the problem. The difficulty often lies in proving...
12-01-2009
Expense Reduction Analysts give an insight into why cost management has played a significant role in organisations corporate strategy in the last 12 months and will continue to be a key drive in 2011. Seminar Part 1 Seminar Part 2 ...