Harvard Business Review

OCTOBER 1, 2013

For the past several years we have watched with increasing dismay at the increasing chasm between information technology (IT) groups and their business counterparts. Further, the pace of technological change and the demands to do more with the data grow exponentially and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Information Technology 8

Information Technology Technology Cost Center Constraint 8

Harvard Business Review

DECEMBER 17, 2015

In a recent, high-profile example, HP announced in July that it will power all of its Texas data centers with wind energy for 12 years while lowering its operating costs. Here’s why now is the time right to invest in renewable energy sources for the internet: Renewable energy can help reduce a cost center.

Energy 8

Energy Globalization Hedge Cost 8

Harvard Business Review

AUGUST 13, 2013

Running an IT department is hard enough under any circumstances, but imagine doing it at one of the world''s preeminent technology companies. Your customers aren''t haplessly trying to set up their voicemail; they''re experts in technology and expect it to work. Tell me about your role at Google, and what your purview as CIO includes.

CIO 8

CIO How To Technology Directory 8

Harvard Business Review

NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Without the breathing room to invest in new equipment and technologies, smaller manufacturers may be up to 40% less productive than large companies—a gap so sizable that it drags down the entire sector’s performance. manufacturers do source from domestic suppliers, they tend to regard them purely as a cost center.

Supply Chain 8

Supply Chain McKinsey Incentives Bottom-up 8

Harvard Business Review

SEPTEMBER 8, 2017

Over the last decade, most companies’ digital agendas have focused largely on technology — moving to cloud-based software, modernizing IT infrastructures, adding digital channels, and digitizing business processes. This is a break from the traditional paths of finance, sales, and operations to the top spot.

CEO 8

CEO Marketing Span of Control Sports 8

Harvard Business Review

SEPTEMBER 21, 2016

One of the most popular misconceptions about security is that it’s destined to be a cost center and it survives on executive generosity (or paranoia). Detecting and removing these kinds of malware helps maintain the integrity of advertising on Facebook, a business-critical operation. Driving Financial Goals.

Team 8

Team P&L Engineering Cost 8

Harvard Business Review

FEBRUARY 2, 2016

You’ll often find customer relationship management within marketing, budgeting within finance, supply-chain management within operations, outsourcing within procurement, training within HR, and new product development within R&D. Some of the first business functionaries were railroad telegraph operators who managed schedules.

Development 8

Development Supply Chain Incentives Outsourcing 8

Harvard Business Review

FEBRUARY 9, 2011

We call these people Cost Center Consumers, and they come in two flavors. Divas: These are high maintenance consumers who drive costs up after purchase. They tie up your call centers, incur costly returns, and generate other costs that occur below the gross margin line, which is harder to see.

P&L 15

P&L Supply Chain Retail Price 15

HR Digest

JANUARY 5, 2022

Bosch firmly believes that research is not an end in itself – a never-ending race to develop new technologies – but rather something that makes a tangible contribution to improving the quality of people’s lives. That belief is reflected in the words “Invented for life,” which is not only our claim but our strategic imperative.

Human Resources 52

Human Resources Education Resources Innovation 52

LDRLB

NOVEMBER 12, 2012

HR is an enigmatic profession, as the authors write, “the sad reality is—even in today’s enlightened age of recognizing the value of people to the business—too many top executives still view HR as a non-strategic cost center instead of a core, profit-contributing function.” Measuring the people side of the business is tough.

Ulrich 137

Ulrich Metrics Report Storytelling 137

Harvard Business Review

DECEMBER 18, 2012

It was by no means a hiccup-free year on sustainability issues for Walmart, with deep concerns about corruption in its Mexican operations. Keeping the apparel theme, um, running, check out Nike's new shoe with FlyKnit technology. But the subtle change in buyer incentives is a big deal. This is the focus of my next project.).

Supply Chain 10

Supply Chain Constraint P&L Energy 10