Cut Costs Not Corners Book Summary - Cut Costs Not Corners Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

Cut Costs Not Corners summary

Colin Barrow

A practical guide to staying competitive and improving profits

3.8 (21 ratings)
15 mins

Brief summary

Cut Costs Not Corners by Colin Barrow is a business book that gives practical advice on how to survive and save money during tough economic times. It's a comprehensive guide filled with cost-cutting strategies and tips for building a financially sustainable business.

Table of Contents

    Cut Costs Not Corners
    Summary of 6 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 6

    The key to a profitable business is cutting costs, maintaining quality and maximizing profit.

    What’s the best way to make maximum profits? The simplest answer is to boost revenue, which of course helps if you can make it happen. But there’s a better and more easily controlled method that’s all about managing expenses. It’s called costs leadership, and here’s how it works:

    For starters, you’ll need to focus on the two main types of costs: fixed and variable.

    Fixed costs are independent of the level of a company’s production, and include computers, desks, telephones and other equipment. But the term can also refer to less tangible costs, like rent or insurance. In fact, labor is often considered a fixed cost since it takes time and money to hire employees.

    Variable costs are dependent on the level of production, meaning that the more you consume, the more you pay. Examples of variable costs are raw materials, packaging and storage.

    Now that you know the two main types of costs, you can start learning why intelligently managing them will produce lower-cost products, and therefore higher revenues, all while maintaining the same standards of quality.

    You could reduce costs by making sweeping cuts, but this will likely lower the quality of the goods or services you provide. For example, if you decide to save money by cutting your customer support team, you’re likely to be facing some very unhappy customers in the near future.

    However, wisely cutting needless costs will both increase revenue and maintain quality. For instance, IKEA’s founder Ingvar Kamprad built his 235-store empire through simple cost-cutting mechanisms that left quality intact. One strategy was to sell unassembled furniture, which takes up less space and requires less time to manufacture.

    But how can you intelligently cut costs? Let’s look deeper at some specific strategies to reduce expenses while maintaining quality.

    Want to see all full key ideas from Cut Costs Not Corners?

    Key ideas in Cut Costs Not Corners

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is Cut Costs Not Corners about?

    Cut Costs Not Corners (2010) is a guide to managing and minimizing the costs of any business while maintaining the quality of its products and services. These blinks are full of actionable examples that will teach you how to trim the fat from your budget while keeping your customers and employees happy.

    Cut Costs Not Corners Review

    Cut Costs Not Corners (2010) by Colin Barrow is an essential read for anyone looking to optimize their business's finances without sacrificing quality. Here's why this book stands out from the rest:

    • The book provides practical strategies and advice that can be implemented immediately, allowing businesses to save money while maintaining high standards.
    • Through real-life examples and case studies, Barrow demonstrates how businesses have successfully cut costs without compromising their products or services.
    • The author's thought-provoking insights and tips ensure that the book is never dull, keeping readers engaged and inspired to make positive changes in their own organizations.

    Best quote from Cut Costs Not Corners

    Experience is also a big cost saver: repetition makes people familiar with tasks and consequently faster.

    —Colin Barrow
    example alt text

    Who should read Cut Costs Not Corners?

    • Any business owner who wants more control over company costs
    • Every CEO hoping to maximize his or her profits
    • Anyone thinking about creating a start-up of their own

    About the Author

    Colin Barrow has authored over 30 books on entrepreneurship, business management and international property development. Before becoming a writer he enjoyed a long career in business management, holding senior staff and line positions in various organizations.

     

    © Colin Barrow, 2010. This Summary of Cut Costs Not Corners is published by arrangement with Kogan Page.

    Categories with Cut Costs Not Corners

    Book summaries like Cut Costs Not Corners

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    37 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Get started

    Cut Costs Not Corners FAQs 

    What is the main message of Cut Costs Not Corners?

    The main message of Cut Costs Not Corners is to prioritize efficient spending and avoid cutting corners.

    How long does it take to read Cut Costs Not Corners?

    The reading time for Cut Costs Not Corners varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Cut Costs Not Corners a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Cut Costs Not Corners is a valuable read for anyone looking to optimize their finances. It offers practical insights for effective cost management.

    Who is the author of Cut Costs Not Corners?

    Colin Barrow is the author of Cut Costs Not Corners.

    What to read after Cut Costs Not Corners?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Cut Costs Not Corners, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • The Purposeful Decision Maker by Pádraig Ó Céidigh
    • Why Simple Wins by Lisa Bodell
    • Your Next Five Moves by Patrick Bet-David
    • Gravitas by Caroline Goyder
    • Mistakes I Made at Work by Jessica Bacal
    • Principles by Ray Dalio
    • Dopamine Detox by Thibaut Meurisse
    • Marketing Strategy by Jenna Tiffany
    • The Fifth Discipline by Peter M. Senge
    • Ultralearning by Scott H. Young