Cost Management

In an age where activists are deeply involved in corporate management, investors are becoming increasingly scrutinizing of corporate costs. Furthermore, in a corporate environment where competition is intensifying, cost management based on corporate strategy is of course essential to ensure long-term profits. Well-thought-out cost management goes beyond short-term cost reductions and contributes to the realization of a lean management structure in the long term.

Our Essential

What is important in cost management is the ability to determine whether a cost is truly reasonable and the analytical ability to foresee future trends that will affect costs. In addition, we do not end by simply criticizing suppliers, but never forget the perspective of "management" - making bold investments where necessary and boldly cutting unnecessary investments. From cost reduction to cost management. With support from these two capabilities, we strongly promote well-balanced management.

Featured Cases

Comprehensive Cost Management for Major Retailers

The recent rise in food and utility prices had put pressure on the profits of major retailers' directly managed stores and franchise operations. In response, we urgently needed to implement company-wide cost reduction measures. Devised and executed strategies for cost reduction across the organization. Visualized the cost structure from procurement to delivery, store operations, and after-sales service, and collaborated with each department to promote process improvements. As a result, achieved cost reductions of several hundred million yen within the first year of the project and realized an additional several hundred million yen in reductions the following year.

Cost Management Reform for Next-Generation IT Infrastructure

A major financial institution's core systems had been maintained on legacy systems, which had led to delays in development speed and increased IT costs. Additionally, systems designed to handle large volumes of operations needed transformation due to the rise of direct channels. With numerous IT investment proposals, the challenge was to advance structural reform while securing the necessary funds. We formulated a mid- to long-term IT strategy and promoted cost transparency. By prioritizing essential investments and strengthening vendor management, we improved IT cost efficiency and achieved structural reform, thereby supporting sustainable growth.

Visualization of Business Costs

As the fossil fuel market had been shrinking, the company had faced the need to drastically reduce costs in related businesses. In addition to implementing top-down cost reductions, we had planned bottom-up cost reductions while also fostering momentum across the organization. To enable each department to evaluate measures, the we had created an analysis platform that visualized all costs related to the business and allowed analysis from various perspectives, such as by department, product, and business partner. By also providing user training, the company had fostered momentum for each department to autonomously analyze and devise measures.

Cases

Reviewing Manufacturing Strategies Through Cost Benchmarking

Identified differences in TV manufacturing costs at the material level. Investigated the factors causing these cost differences through supplier interviews. Developed strategies based on the varying levels of supplier involvement.

Building a Framework for Strategic Cost Management

We promoted two approaches—enhancing cost management transparency and identifying variable cost pools—using a framework based on purpose and method. This was detailed into entry, exit, and validation gates.

Logistics Cost Visualization/Management Process Creation

Given the current situation where the factors behind increases in logistics costs were unclear, we formulated the management process to address these issues. We visualized logistics costs through data analysis and estimated potential cost reduction opportunities.