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SUMMARY OF RESPONSES
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Reducing costs of
acquiring resources (materials, services, personnel, equipment, and
facilities) received more votes than did strategies for reducing
usage of these resources.
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Improving processes
throughout organizations received a large number of responses.
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Bringing work back
in-house and reducing or eliminating outside suppliers received a
large number of responses.
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In the personnel
area, reducing workforces was indicated by most respondents,
followed by reducing benefits and hours worked by current employees.
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Respondents
indicated increased use of multi-disciplinary teams to reduce costs.
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Training in cost
management received strong responses.
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Reductions in
inventories came through negotiating inventory requirements with
customers and improved forecast accuracy.
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Equipment
acquisition savings came as a result of buying only what was
actually needed, and only when it was needed.
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Consolidating
operations, restructuring plant layout, and closing or selling
unused space received frequent responses for using facilities more
efficiently.
OTHER
STRATEGIES RECEIVING SIGNIFICANT RESPONSES
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Negotiating lower
prices for purchased materials and services
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Changing
requirements and specifications for purchased materials and
services.
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Designing products
for cost reduction as well as technical excellence.
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Increasing forecast
accuracy and improved planning
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Informing employees
how their work affects costs
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Increasing workforce
flexibility with cross-functional training
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Acquiring only the
facilities needed in the near term
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Reducing problems
that cause excess inventories
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