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Insights

What we are learning in the field

Short pieces written by the partners running the work, published when we have something worth saying rather than on a content calendar. Roughly one a fortnight.

2009
Publishing since
6 min
Median read
Operating Performance7 min read

The cost programme that survives its second year

Most cost programmes deliver in year one and give it back in year two. The difference is almost never the analysis; it is whether the operating review that policed the plan outlived the consultants.

By Rafael Duarte

4 June 2026

Read the piece

Results

Measured at handover, not at the readout

Five figures from recent engagements, each taken from the client system rather than from our own model.

  • At start
  • At handover
Gross margin, industrial client
+6.5 points

Gross margin, industrial client: 38% to 74%.

Order-to-cash days, logistics client
−50%

Order-to-cash days, logistics client: 82% to 41%.

Clinic booking lag, healthcare client
−71%

Clinic booking lag, healthcare client: 91% to 26%.

Platform run cost, software client
−42%

Platform run cost, software client: 66% to 38%.

Forecast accuracy, consumer client
+44 points

Forecast accuracy, consumer client: 44% to 88%.

Next step

One conversation is usually enough to know

Forty-five minutes with a partner, no charge and no proposal attached. If we are not the right firm we will say so and suggest who is.