Empowerology

Optimising Cost Improvement Programmes

Description

Drive financial success and stability without inflicting a loss of service quality Cost improvement should be seen as a continual process, not an episodic activity. More importantly, it is vital that cost improvement is approached in an intelligent, collaborative manner with full regard for the necessity to deliver excellence in your field. This course enables those with responsibility for cost improvement to gain maximum returns with minimal negative impacts, whilst ensuring that customer or client care and staff morale remain at the heart of the process.

Content

The wider context – cost improvement as part of disaster aversion
Beyond cutting corners – taking an intelligent approach
Building a cost improvement ethos throughout the team
Ensuring continuous attention to cost management
The carrot of reinvestment – spending savings on better things
Ensuring that the benefits of cost improvement are explicit to the team
Establishing an effective cost improvement strategy
Setting positive cost improvement goals
Cost management reporting within the team
Understanding your cost base
Use of client pathway analysis to elucidate cost savings
Differentiation approaches to optimise resource consumption
Overcoming team resistance to cost improvement
Financial prioritisation – avoiding the sharp slice trap
Understanding the principles of return on investment (ROI)
Improving effectiveness through cost reduction
Adopting a ‘lean’ approach to service delivery
Using technology to improve leanness
Service re-design as a cost saving strategy
Evolving staffing structure as part of a wider strategic plan
Use of training as an effective cost-saving strategy
Innovation – improving performance whilst reducing cost
The client as innovator & prioritiser
Leveraging funding for cost improvement innovations – sources & strategies
Case mix strategies to achieve cost improvement targets
Economies of scale – creating cost efficiency by improving income
Partnering & pooling for cost improvement
Business planning in a lean environment
Strategies for cost containment when it gets out of hand
Managing offenders positively – gaining maximum engagement

Benefits and objectives

Gain a real perspective of what cost improvement is actually about
Develop improved approaches to reducing cost
Discover how to engage the whole team collaboratively and positively
Approach cost improvement from all directions comprehensively
Learn how to prioritise from a financial perspective
Discover ways to reduce cost that don’t adversely affect service quality

Course type and teaching methods

The course is very practical, designed to provide participants with working methodologies and clear instructions to enable them to apply the new skills directly on return to service. The format consists of lectures, case studies, discussions, individual and group exercises. It's fast-paced and highly productive.

Taking This Forward

If you would like more information or wish to discuss bringing us into your organisation, please contact Dean Kellogg on 01332 821266 or email

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