Reducing HR And People Costs In Consumer Products

Taking costs out of the business while nurturing talent and providing high quality services

The current economic climate increases the pressure on HR to reduce its operating costs but also to assist the business in reducing its people cost. People are often a company's single biggest expense, accounting for up to 90% of the business' operating cost and, now more than ever, businesses must ensure this investment delivers value in the short, medium and long term.

There are two questions businesses should be asking right now:

• How can HR reduce its operating costs? Over the past decade many HR functions have made progress in streamlining their own processes and operations. In these cost-conscious times, they need to do more. Although HR's operating costs are typically just a small fraction of a company's total expenses, every little helps and deferring investments, ruthless prioritisation of activity and building a flexible model can allow HR to deliver essential