Save to grow: Deloitte’s third biennial cost survey

Shift in business strategy

In the survey, conducted in Q4 of 2012, 63 percent of respondents reported an increase in annual revenue during the preceding 24 months—compared to only 32 percent in 2010. Yet 76 percent of respondents expected their companies to reduce costs over the next 24 months—roughly the same number as in previous years. This continued focus on cost reduction combined with a new emphasis on growth represents a significant shift in business strategy and mindset. In the past, cost reduction was largely associated with companies that were struggling or in distress. Now, growing companies are just as interested in reducing costs as those with declining sales—if not more so. In fact, according to the survey, the likelihood of cost reduction over the next 24 months was even higher for companies with rising sales (78 percent) than it was for companies with sales that are flat or down (70 percent).

Looking across the set of surveyed companies, the top strategic priorities cited for the next 24 months were product profitability (43 percent), sales growth (36 percent), and organization & talent (15 percent)—all elements of a growth-oriented business strategy. Only 7 percent of respondents were focused on other cost-related strategic priorities such as balance sheet management—compared to 20 percent in 2010. This change suggests that the vast majority of companies may be more comfortable with their balance sheets and may be using cost reduction as a growth lever to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their businesses, and to generate cost savings that can be reinvested in growth initiatives such as new product development, innovation, research and development, and expansion into new markets.

According to the survey results, the top three drivers for cost management were “to gain competitive advantage” (65 percent), “required investment in growth areas” (54 percent), and “unfavorable cost position” (35 percent). Two years previously, there was significantly less emphasis on competitive advantage (52 percent), and the other top drivers were “reduction in consumer demand” (42 percent) and “decrease in liquidity and tighter credit” (33 percent). These numbers reinforce the notion that the strategic focus for many companies has shifted from financial survival to using cost reduction as a competitive weapon to drive growth.

Download the PDF for more valuable insights into how cost initiatives have evolved in response to changing market conditions, and for a glimpse into where things are headed in the future.