According to a KPMG survey, cost and margin pressures are the biggest concerns facing businesses this year. This is not the least surprising as inflationary pressures and subdued customer demand has made it necessary for businesses to cut unnecessary costs.
In this post, we present 100 different ways that businesses can try to reduce their operating costs. This list is vast and comprehensive enough to cover more than a few ways that any business can pick, as a cost controlling measure. Some of these are short-term while others are long-term. But they all lead to the same goal of making ones business more efficient by reducing cost:
- Implement energy-efficient lighting controls like dimmers
- Use programmable thermostats
- Implement a hot-desking system that supports telecommuting planning
- Sign long-term agreements with suppliers, to reduce ongoing costs.
- Buy supplies in bulk
- Automate routine tasks
- Reduce paper usage
- Implement cloud computing
- Outsource non-core functions
- Use open-source software
- Encourage carpooling or biking to work
- Conduct regular financial audits to avoid wasteful expenses
- Optimise inventory management
- Eliminate unnecessary subscriptions
- Focus on online digital marketing instead of expensive traditional marketing like TV ads.
- Use VoIP instead of traditional phone lines
- Invest in employee training to improve worker productivity, which will help do away with the need to hire more staff
- Allow some employees to work part-time at part-time rates
- Use energy-efficient office appliances
- Implement a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy
- Reduce travel expenses through video conferencing
- Lease instead of buying equipment
- Encourage employee suggestions for cost-saving ideas within teams and departments
- Lease agreements to be suitably renegotiated and rents reduced after bringing in competing quotes.
- Automate billing and invoicing
- Use freelancers for short-term projects
- For unoccupied office space, consider leasing it out
- Reduce office supply expenses by eliminating wasteful use
- Pause overtime work arrangement
- If you are using consulting services, reduce the hours needed.
- Outsource IT services
- Reduce marketing expenses by focusing on organic traffic over paid traffic
- Use digital forms instead of paper forms
- Eliminate underutilised and extravagant employee perks
- Implement a telecommuting policy that prioritises task delivery over being present at the workplace.
- Utilise coworking spaces
- Encourage employees to use public transportation for work-related traveling
- Install motion sensors for lights
- Use second-hand furniture
- Reduce shipping costs by negotiating with carriers
- Implement a no-meeting day so that everyone can work from home on that day
- Use electronic signatures
- Reduce the use of colour printing
- Share resources with other businesses
- Implement a preventive maintenance program
- Offer internships
- Use a rewards program to encourage employee productivity and incentivise cost reduction
- Purchase refurbished equipment as opposed to brand new ones
- Implement a customer referral program for low cost customer acquisition
- Use a cash-back credit card for business purchases
- Optimise your website for SEO
- Use free online tools for project management and planning
- Offer unpaid leave instead of layoffs
- Outsource payroll processing
- Implement a strict expense approval process
- Start a company carpool system
- Cut back on work-related overseas traveling for employees.
- Negotiate lower rates for utilities
- Recycle storage boxes and other packing material
- Negotiate lower utility bills and internet bills
- Install solar panels to reduce energy costs
- Conduct an energy use audit and get rid of equipment that use energy needlessly
- Offer telecommuting stipends
- Negotiate lower insurance premiums
- Convert office space to shared office space
- Conduct virtual training sessions instead of on-premise training
- Reduce janitorial services, in step in reduced use of office space due to work-from-home
- Implement a paperless office policy
- Explore low-cost advertising options like influencer marketing.
- Offer flexible work schedules
- Reduce the frequency of office cleanings
- Use energy-efficient windows
- Implement a BYO lunch policy
- Use e-fax instead of traditional fax
- Buy generic office supplies
- Negotiate better credit card rates
- Use mobile apps for communication
- Eliminate vending machine services
- Encourage employees to use reusable water bottles
- Implement a waste reduction program
- Use LED bulbs
- Offer job sharing
- Encourage virtual meetings
- Purchase long-term warranties
- Use free or low-cost software
- Reduce catering costs
- Implement a recycling program
- Use virtual assistants
- Optimize your supply chain
- Implement a work-from-home policy
- Use green energy suppliers
- Offer part-time positions
- Have a sales driven incentive program or one that helps in saving costs
- Use an online payment system
- Reduce the number of printers
- Offer employees profit-sharing options over salaries, so that they are driven to work towards financial objectives.
- Use a digital filing system
- Implement a customer loyalty program
- Negotiate bulk purchasing discounts
- Conduct a regular review of all expenses