Part 1 of a 3 part series

Warning Signs:

• Increased selling expenses.
• Increased overhead expenses.
• Significant adverse deviations from budget.
• Significant increase in a particular line item's cost.

Steps to Improve: CUTTING DISCRETIONARY SELLING & ADVERTISING EXPENSES

• Cut Overhead; it falls directly to the bottom line.
• Cut selling costs carefully in hard times - but don't cut your throat.
• Advertising; ask about rate cards/ discounts/ remainder and remnant space/ fillers/ other types of deals.
• Advertising; per order and per inquiry deals.
• Advertising; help if needed deals and guaranteed results deals.
• Advertising; bulk purchase deals.
• Advertising and promotion; cut carefully in hard times - but don't cut your throat.
• Auto Expense; monitor personal use of company cars.
• Auto Expense; hire in-house mechanics to service vehicles and equipment.
• Commissions; make payable on collection.
• Entertainment; trim back entertainment expenses.