In my last article, I recommended launching a ‘spending review’ — a thorough look at your company’s outgoings to uncover waste that could be cut.
But what does that actually look like in practice?
Let me share an example.
One of our clients, a European logistics company, has strong revenues — but their margins are worryingly slim.
It was clear that their overheads were bloated. So, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work.
Our specialists are now sitting down with their team, reviewing their costs line by line.
For every single item, we are asking tough but essential questions:
- Why are we spending this?
- Do we still need it?
- Is there a smarter, more efficient way of doing it?
We’re scrutinising everything from software licences (are we paying for too many?) to hardware (do we really need so many laptops?) to project recovery (is every project covering its costs — and are customers being billed appropriately?).
It’s not a quick fix.
This particular cost-cutting exercise will take around three months because we’re working at a global scale — and we are determined to be thorough.
By the end, we expect to have cut significant costs, strengthened their margins, and made the business much healthier.
Importantly, not all cost-cutting exercises are like this.
Done badly, they can leave companies weaker — slashing essential resources just to hit arbitrary savings targets.
We do things differently. Every cut we recommend is carefully considered and justified. Nothing essential is lost. We focus on eliminating waste that has crept in over time — because “that’s the way we’ve always done it” — without anyone challenging whether it is still necessary.
And that’s the real opportunity here: changing your company’s mindset.
Overheads naturally bloat as businesses grow.
People get used to approving expenses without asking the tough questions.
It becomes easy — even automatic — to accept costs without challenge.
A proper spending review rewires that habit. It instils a culture where every cost must be justified, and where every manager feels empowered — and expected — to ask: Is this still the best way to spend our money?
It’s not just about cutting costs today. It’s about building a stronger, more profitable company for the future.
At Insight Associates, this is core to how we work.
By working closely together with your team in a positive and constructive way, we don’t just identify and eliminate waste — we help you ingrain fiscal discipline into your culture, so your business becomes naturally leaner, more profitable and positioned to grow faster.
Looking at your expenses regularly — and keeping them firmly under control — is one of the most crucial drivers of long-term success.
It’s a discipline we’ll bring to your company when you work with us — and one your team will adopt for the future.
If you’d like to discuss how we can help you drive greater profitability and sustainable growth, simply email garry@insightassociates.co.uk or call 01279 647 447 to book a consultation with one of our specialists.
Warmly,
Garry
You might also like: The secret to cutting costs in your business – Insight Associates Limited
