In this article, Michael Huthwaite shares three steps to consider when implementing ZBB. Modern ZBB is not a slash-and-burn exercise. It is about applying the optimal cost structure to the right parts of the business in the right stages of maturity. It is about maintaining and growing revenue while cutting out areas with excess spending.

The tax system, whether it be corporate or personal, is often a complex system that is based on rules-based accounting, which often has little to do with the actual health and well-being of the taxable entity.  

Building an analytically led organisation, focused on bending the cost curve and reinvesting those savings into opportunities that are earlier on the product lifecycle are key steps to growing and sustaining shareholder value.  No company will continue to grow forever.  In order to stick around, you’ll need to one day start to bend the cost curve. 

The power of Finance Business Partnering enables Finance to step outside of their traditional Performance Management roles (setting budgets and reviewing actuals) in order to contribute to real value creation initiatives.  

Simply put, spending more time working together is mutually beneficial for both Finance and the business.  
But what is the best way to structure that relationship?  Should Finance operate as an advisor, a consultant or perhaps even an investor?

We’ve all heard the phrase, “Culture Eats Strategy”.  This quote often attributed to Peter Drucker is seared into the minds of many as the reason why Strategy often fails.   But for some reason, I’ve never been able to fully buy into this statement.  Am I alone in this thinking?

Suppose you were asked to distill down your entire business strategy into a single graph or visualization, how would you choose to show it?