Synopses & Reviews
With the use of non-technical language it enables readers to understand the underlying dynamics of cost in order to facilitate effective decisions regarding products and services, workflows, capital investments and day-to-day monitoring of their business. Combining customer's needs and reactions with the financial awareness of a company's strengths and weaknesses, it ties into all current, major business concerns, including environmental awareness and international competitiveness. Features case studies, checklists and self-assessment techniques that will aid readers in initiating a total cost management program.
Synopsis
You've tried total quality management... implemented close-to-the-customer techniques... and developed time-based management strategies. Your company is now known for excellent products and services. So why are you still not achieving your bottom-line strategic and financial goals? Costs. Controlling costs, especially overhead costs, is almost certainly a major challenge facing your business, just as it is for the vast majority of other businesses around the world today. Thankfully, sophisticated, adaptable, and powerful cost-management methods not only exist--they are available in this remarkable, easy-to-read and use manual by the experts at Ernst & Young. Here you'll find the first truly straightforward guide to the revolutionary new way of understanding the dynamics of cost--its called Total Cost Management (TCM). These principles and techniques will help you develop an information structure that will drive your decision making, products and services, workflows, capital investments, and day-to-day management--and drive your business onto a new growth curve. Only this book brings you a lucid executive overview of TCM that teaches you, and those you manage, about this innovative cost-management methodology; a complete examination of TCMs essential components: business-process analysis, activity-based costing, and continuous improvement; and full implementation guidelines for bringing TCM and its competitive advantages to your company.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 315-318) and index.
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW.
The New Business Environment Has Changed--and Cost Information Must Change with It.
Total Cost Management in a Nutshell.
The Role of TCM in Supporting Competitive Advantage.
TCM PRINCIPLES.
The Whys and Hows of BPA.
Performing Process Value Analysis.
Using Process Value Analysis to Guide Improvement Efforts.
ABC--What It Is and Where It Came From.
Activity-Based Process Costing.
Activity-Based Object Costing.
Using ABC Information.
ABC Costing--a Tool-Kit.
Improving Performance Measures.
Decision Support.
IMPLEMENTATION.
Implementing TCM.
Conclusion.
Bibliography.