Forget the silver bullet

Staff -- Purchasing, 12/9/2004

Get back to basics. That's the message delivered by Ron Nussle and Jim Morgan in their just-released book, "Integrated Cost Reduction." Nussle, a supply chain veteran and managing director of global materials for Lam Research and Morgan, PURCHASING magazine's editorial director emeritus, provide a roadmap to permanent long-term cost savings and true value add-ons. What gives the book its real muscle is its focus on marshalling the proven successes of value analysis/value engineering, lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, supply chain management and e-commerce "under a seamless cost reduction umbrella." In other words, you don't have to jettison the good stuff you've been doing. The book was written to help companies refocus their existing reengineering initiatives on the areas that most need cost reduction and value enhancement. And the authors don't leave you with theory. Nussle offers what he calls "a step-by-step cookbook" online. The book is complete with forms, checklists, timelines, sample engagement letters and spreadsheets for those want to use these tools and processes at their company. It's a very different book. Buy it now at www.purchasing.com/bookstore.