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Delivering Value Through Insight™ with our Industry Insights

One of the core benefits of Expense Reduction Analysts is our global network of experts, many of whom have developed practical knowledge, experience and insight from extensive careers in relevant industries.

To provide further value, we’ve incorporated this real world knowledge and insight into a range of downloadable white papers, which are available for free and can help you learn more and gain a competitive advantage on a variety of topics.

Since our launch in 1992, we’ve also developed numerous professional relationships with recognized professional bodies and organisations whose insights we’ve also been able to integrate into our white papers.

Explore all of our industry insights and resources below

Explore our latest industry insights and discover practical knowledge and actions you can take to help improve your business. If you’d like to learn more about any of our downloadable white papers or how we can help your business, contact us today.

COVID-19 and the Impact on Selected Technologies

COVID-19 gave all things digital what behavioural economists call a big nudge by turning proximity into a risk.

Consumers and businesses quickly grasped the convenience and efficiency delivered by digital practices and processes they had previously ignored. The pandemic thus expanded and secured digitisation’s reach, though it may recede somewhat as people return to more normal patterns of consumption and work after the pandemic.

Automation and deployment of AI did not accelerate significantly during the pandemic; if anything, the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 may have reduced corporate investment in those technologies. Nonetheless, there are several reasons to anticipate an acceleration in 2021 and beyond. That pattern of reduced investment in automation during economic downturns followed by sharp upticks as recoveries take hold is historic, and responses to surveys of executives suggest that the period after COVID-19 will be no different.

Explore our detailed analysis on the future of automation and digital technologies, which pays close attention to where business leaders are investing to help highlight practical opportunities which can help your own business.

Inside our latest edition of Market Intelligence you’ll find a wide range of valuable articles offering detailed analysis, insights and practical recommendations for handling some of the biggest challenges facing business leaders.

Many businesses hope that the most damaging effects of COVID-19 will be behind them come the Spring. But even with the mass rollout of a vaccine programme underway, the legacy of the pandemic and enduring restrictions are set to impact the economy well into 2021 and beyond. There are many moving pieces that will impact businesses this year.

In this edition of Market Intelligence we highlight just a few of these interesting topics, including:

• Can SCA give an online retailer a competitive advantage?
• Semiconductor shortage to cause rise in prices in 2021
• Steel market reaches peak – how do you get best value?
• Competitive FX rates for Food Importers

To explore the full range of insights and articles available, download Market Intelligence 21.1 today.

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Inside our latest edition of Market Intelligence, you will find a great range of insights and market analysis to achieve better value from suppliers. We cover topics from across the industry spectrum including ways fast thinking retailers can flourish, why you can’t afford to delay Strong Customer Authentication and how you can improve your recruitment in 2021.

These are just a few examples of the valuable insights you’ll find inside the latest Market Intelligence, each of which has been written by subject matter and industry experts from within our global network. We also provide crucial analysis of the most pressing issues facing organisations in the UK today, including tangible actions you can take to help turn disruption into resilience and make 2021 a success.

Start taking advantage of these insights today and download Market Intelligence 20.4 instantly.

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Issue 20.3 of our Market Intelligence series brings you valuable recovery methods, with detailed insights and actions from our global network of industry specialists on how you can protect your future success, and turn disruption into business resilience.

There are a huge array of insightful resources and articles available within Market Intelligence including:

• Can you business afford to be green when you’re trying to save money?
• Pandemic heralds huge change for Professional Services
• 7 steps to improve your procurement
• International container freight challenges
• Document production for home workers

To take full advantage of all the insights available, download Market Intelligence 20.3 today instantly.

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Despite the coronavirus epidemic that has swept the globe, causing widespread disruption across markets worldwide, there is still the potential for continued growth and positive returns in the Private Equity (PE) industry, both in the UK and on the global stage.

Cost reduction and overhead management is an increasingly important component of improving profitability and increasing cashflow to maximise EBITDA and exit values, but the delivery of savings cannot come at the expense of the customer experience or regulatory compliance. This presents a significant barrier to delivery for many organisations. Download our full white paper today and explore detailed actions you can take to maximise the financial opportunities available to your business and discover how our Private Equity team can work with you to review supply-chain integrity, contractual liabilities and the indirect cost base during buy-side and sell-side due diligence.

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Financial Services organisations throughout Europe are operating in a complex market sector. There are a wealth of intricate challenges that are fundamentally changing the way the industry functions, and further developments are inevitable.

To achieve a competitive and sustainable cost base, firms must find the right mix of tactical cost reduction solutions to drive short-term gains and more strategic initiatives to realise the transformational cost reductions needed to compete in the emerging Financial Services marketplace. Download the full white paper and explore practical actions you can take to achieve tactical cost reduction in your business.

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There have been few moments in modern history that have tested the strength and resolve of business like this year. Following years of trade disputes such as Brexit, USA vs China, and the global shutdown triggered by coronavirus – companies have been shaken to the core. This includes those with solid foundations.

A recent study conducted by ERA, in partnership with Business Leader, has unearthed the measures that business leaders are taking at this time, as companies prepare themselves for what could be an increasingly challenging period.

To maintain commercial and operational resilience, firms must adapt existing financial frameworks to a more hostile, volatile environment in which access to finance and liquidity are of paramount importance, and critical cash flow risk management decisions have to be made daily.

Download the full survey and white paper today and discover practical ways to achieve cash flow resilience.

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When the Corona crisis first hit, the main focus for businesses was to maintain their supply chains in the short-term. Now, as businesses attempt to compensate for the negative effects caused by the crisis, focus is increasingly shifting to cost and efficiency issues.

Download our full white paper today which examines how businesses can optimise their costs and improve their operational efficiencies in order to help protect cash flow whilst strengthening supply chains. The white paper also reveals our Top 5 Recommendations for accelerating your business towards economic security.

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Issued every quarter, Market Intelligence brings you valuable insights related to the biggest challenges facing businesses across a broad selection of industries and sectors.

As the world starts to emerge from devastation, this issue of Market Intelligence is very much focused on challenges related to restarting and recovering from the impact of Covid-19. As many focus on trying to get back to normal, our specialists have put together actionable insights that you can use to protect your future success.

Some examples include:

• Telecommunications in a post-Covid era
• How can you ensure remote working is not harming your organisations Productivity and Profitability?
• Helping you with your cleaning services as buildings and offices start to re-open
• Time is running out to review your parcel carriers before Brexit!
• The Impact of Covid-19 on Care Homes in the UK

These are just a few examples of what’s included, so download Market Intelligence today to begin exploring the full range of insights.

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ERA conducted a survey to better assess the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on care homes and how to contain costs for the future.

The Covid-19 crisis has caused unprecedented challenges for staff, residents, governing authorities and families. The residents, often living with cognitive impairments were hugely affected. They were not allowed to have physical contact with the outside world and were deprived of visits from family and friends. Residents were left confused and unable to understand the reasons why they did not have visitors anymore. It was a totally unexpected situation, with no planning and solutions being made up spontaneously.

Download our white paper today which contains the complete results from our survey, highlighting some of the most challenging issues facing care homes and identifying where financial challenges are hitting hardest.

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There is no doubt that as we gradually return to some sort of office working environment, as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, it will be a very different one to that which we have all become used to over the years.

Download our whitepaper today which explores the future of document production which explores the “new normal” and the most important considerations that businesses must deal with in order to protect themselves for the long term. The whitepaper also includes extensive guidance on how you can implement Work Process Automation to improve operational efficiencies which can save time and reduce risk.

Download the full white paper today.

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Across almost all industries, the past ten years has seen a substantial level of uncertainty become normality. Longheld beliefs have been turned on their heads by both political and economic pressures and with COVID-19, further unpredictability has carried us into the new decade.

The reality for many businesses is that this uncertainty will continue to play a significant role in decision-making and strategy.

In a turbulent corporate landscape, we take a look at the potential barriers that CFOs need to overcome to achieve long term success. Our report highlights the need to ‘Save-to-Steer’ through these challenging times and maximise operational efficiencies – something that is becoming increasingly important for major businesses. We also take a look at how intelligent, long-term strategies must be the way forward when faced with such uncertainty. Click the image below to download now.

Download the full white paper today.

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Our white paper demonstrates how changing procurement practices and making use of either ERP systems, CMMS, stores software or vendors to track, manage and control inventory can streamline processes.

This will ensure key MRO items are on hand as soon as they’re needed. Centralising the acquisition of inventory and tracking maintenance repair and operating supplies, simplifies the process and improves organization.

Our white paper also explores the top 6 areas for achieving cost savings within MRO, explaining what opportunities are available within each area.

Download the full white paper today.

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The global pandemic COVID-19 continues to hold the world in its grasp and many businesses are understandably worried about the future given the level of uncertainty being faced.

For those responsible for keeping their business going, key elements like cash flow and supply chains will be at the top of their short and medium term list of priorities but crucially, getting external guidance and advice can have more value than ever in helping to navigate these stormy waters.

Download our latest Market Intelligence (20.1) which offers the most up to date business insights and actionable value that you can utilise in your own organisation to protect your future success.

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In a turbulent corporate landscape, we take a look at the potential barriers that CFOs need to overcome to achieve long term success.

Our report highlights the need to ‘Saveto-Steer’ through these challenging times and maximise operational efficiencies – something that is becoming increasingly important for major businesses. We also take a look at how intelligent, long-term strategies must be the way forward when faced with such uncertainty.

Download the full white paper today instantly.

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Industry 4.0 & the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT)

Industry 4.0 (or the 4th Industrial Revolution) is a vision that evolved from an initiative to make the German manufacturing industry more competitive. In its broadest sense it is a data driven transformation of industrial processes related to the notion and evolution of the “Smart Factory”.

This white paper will cover the following topics to help us better understand Industry 4.0, and the steps to achieve true efficiency:

• What is Industry 4.0 and IIoT?
• What are the benefits to be gained from adopting Industry 4.0 interconnectivity?
• How Industry 4.0 concepts can be adopted by manufacturers, allowing them to reduce costs, release resource and drive manufacturing efficiency

Download our full white paper instantly and begin explore Industry 4.0 and the tangible actions you can take to benefit your business.

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As the first energy report for 2020, the January edition explores the key insights related to the energy market, helping you to manage your energy costs as efficiently as possible.

Rather unusually for the winter season a series of factors conspired to deliver soft market conditions: mild weather, healthy gas pipeline imports, abundant LNG cargoes arriving into UK ports, high medium range gas storage levels and the last minute agreement of the new five year US$7 billion gas transit deal between Russia and Ukraine.

Download the January 2020 Energy Market Report today and protect the future success of your business.

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The latest edition of Market Intelligence has been released, offering crucial insights to help you overcome the top challenges facing businesses today. As we explore changing legislation, emerging technology and market conditions, our articles provide details of what this means for you, based on the experience of the authors who are all subject matter experts.

In this edition, 19.4, we cover a wide range of topics including:

• Innovation in Financial Services
• Managing Rising Fuel Prices in 2020
• Vulnerabilities in the Legal Sector
• Waste Management and the Environment in 2020

Download the latest Market Intelligence now.

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For independent schools, there may be turbulent times ahead. They are under increased scrutiny regarding their charitable status, which puts extra pressures on finances from increased business rates as well as other issues such as teachers’ pensions and a competitive sector.

As the landscape for independent schools shifts, both culturally and economically, it is all the more important that they are able to reduce their running costs wherever possible.

This success, however, requires a diligent assessment of individual circumstances, combined with a joined-up approach to challenging valuations of schools for business rates.

Download our insightful guide which provides detailed actions you can take within your independent school to improve profitability and put more money into the classroom.

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Almost all organisations undergo change of varying degrees, complexity and magnitude, with billions of pounds being invested every year. The cost of failure can have a catastrophic effect for the organisation and its people; therefore, it is critical to understand the success factors to improve outcomes and optimise return on investment.

Success factors are management practices that, when implemented, will increase the likelihood of success of a change initiative. Their presence does not in itself guarantee success, but their absence will contribute to failure. These success factors form a framework that describes an organisational environment vital for success of change initiatives, and provide a mechanism to help organisations improve.

Understand the 6 crucial components of change management and discover the steps you can take to achieve a competitive advantage by successfully deploying effective change management in your business. Download the full guide today.

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Payment fraud losses have been steadily increasing for nearly a decade with little sign of easing. The European Commission has intervened by placing SCA requirements on participants to reduce fraud as one of the core components of PSD2.

With the new legislation, SCA means customers will no longer be able to checkout online using just their credit or debit card details, they will also need to provide an additional form of identification.

This has significant implications for merchants and retailers and the way their customers interact with them. It’s not just about online payments either, so it’s crucial for businesses to understand what SCA means for them.

Download our essential SCA guide which provides a detailed overview of the new rules, how they are applied and what you need to do.

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Market Intelligence: Issue 19.3

Each quarter, the experts within our UK network share with us the most pressing issues facing their respective focus industries. We explore changing legislation, emerging technologies, the latest challenges and the newest opportunities, bringing you the latest insights which you can use to gain a competitive advantage.

In this issue, 19.3, you can learn about a variety of topics, including:

• Car dealers under pressure
• Why a straight contract renewal could cost your school thousands of pounds
• Why Business Consumers of IT must act now to protect their budgets
• Currency fluctuations and international payment costs present a risk to business

Download the full document now.

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HMRC have finally provided draft legislation regarding Benefit in Kind Tax for company cars which covers April 2021 through to April 2023 which at least provides certainty for the next 3 and a half years for company car drivers.

With WLTP due to take effective, there is yet another level of complexity being added for Benefit in Kind tax from next tax year. Cars registered prior to April 2020 will be taxed at a different rate than cars registered after this date.

Our Benefit in Kind Company Car Tax guide helps to explain the key issues facing company car drivers including a BIK calculator, helping you to understand what your costs are going to be. Download the ultimate guide and calculator today.

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The Digital Transformation Game

No longer a nice to have, digital transformation is an essential step on the journey towards embracing growing technologies like Blockchain, AI, big data, virtual reality and augmented reality.

As technology evolves at such a rapid rate, companies must equip themselves for the future by delivering digital transformation as a core component of their primary strategy, especially as technology can create and protect value within your business.

Download the full white paper to discover the secrets of digital transformation and gain a competitive advantage.

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Becoming Best in Class

Now more than ever, the need for organisations to develop a culture of cost reduction is paramount.

Our Becoming Best in Class white paper explores methods you can use to achieve savings from your supplier base. This includes a variety of negotiation tactics, so whether you’re dealing with existing providers or kick starting the tender process, you can ensure your business is positioned in the best possible way.

Download the white paper and discover how you can negotiation more effectively and explore how you can take advantage of your improved financial flexibility.

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Emerging Plastic Policies

Environmental impact concerns continue to gather pace, with mainstream national headlines frequently covering topics associated with corporate responsibility towards plastic waste.

The Blue Planet Series and the on-going efforts of Sir David Attenborough have helped to gather momentum whilst galvanizing public perceptions that businesses must do more to reduce their plastic waste.

The UK government has set out its environmental plans to address the concerns over plastic waste and our white paper explores how changing legislation will impact companies operating in the UK. We also provide a variety of short term quick wins you can implement in your own business to reduce plastic waste, as well as larger operational changes to help shape your long term environmental strategy.

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With the start of Winter just around the corner (1st October), consumers should already have started considering the impact of Winter season pricing and what this will mean for their forthcoming usage. As things stand, wholesale energy costs look quite attractive, which is a somewhat polar opposite to this time last year.

For anyone with contracts renewing in Q4 2019 or even Q1 2020, this is a good time to take advantage of low prices.

If you haven’t already determined your specific energy needs and energy strategy, download our latest energy report to gain valuable insights which can help you gain a competitive advantage.

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Are you Brexit Ready?

Following on from the historic referendum, Expense Reduction Analysts created a detailed white paper explaining the implications of our exit from the European Union and what this would mean for companies operating and trading in the UK.

More than two years on from when the votes were cast, we created this follow up white paper, which explores what the Brexit situation looks like now and based on all of the latest information on the Brexit process, we provide a more thorough examination of what our departure from the EU will mean for your business.

More importantly, we provide detailed actions you can take for your business, to make sure you are Brexit ready.

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Procurement and Cost Saving Solutions for Information Technology

The widespread adoption of Information Technology (or IT for short) has made a significant difference to many of our clients. It has allowed them to operate faster and more efficiently, to react more quickly to business challenges and to understand the trends in their business and the wider market, so that they are better equipped to take advantage of business opportunities.

Our expert guide provides a detailed summary of the most crucial aspects of the IT procurement process, providing practical details of where you can focus to give yourself a competitive advantage.

Author: Simon Atkinson

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Freight Industry Report and Trends

The freight market, across modes of transport, remains complex and requires constant monitoring to ensure your company is following the right strategy. The complexity and constant changes are posing risks which need to be managed but also present opportunities which can be explored. Such opportunities can have a significant and positive impact on your supply chain costs.

With issues like the growing trade war between the US and China, changes in demand are becoming increasingly volatile.

Brexit continues to remain a big unknown for companies operating in and with the UK. Back logs have begun to occur, with some freight organisations charging a Brexit fee. New EU legislation has also caused a driver shortage, further increasing delays.

Download the full freight market report which explores these issues in more detail and covers the top factors in the freight sector.

Author: Hans-Henrik Hansen

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The Changing Fleet Market: Key Dates

With ever growing complexities in the world of fleet management, it’s becoming increasingly challenging for organisations to maintain their fleet operations effectively.

There have been a number of high profile issues reported in 2019 already, such as the increasing fuel costs which have been further impacted by the rising tax liabilities that fleet managers are having to factor into their 2019 plans. As a result, many businesses are actively looking for alternatives and savings to help mitigate these costs.

Using helpful infographics, we provide a detailed summary of the key dates in the fleet market for 2019, covering changing legislation and other crucial events which businesses need to be aware of in order to prepare.

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Is your business prepared for rising waste costs?

With global markets and local economics playing such a significant role in the cost of waste management and disposal, dealing with the requirements of your own business can be quite a volatile experience.

Time is always against us and this is particularly challenging for organisations that don’t always necessarily have a lot of dedicated resource to ensure their waste management is effectively optimised.

Many clients are turning to us for advice on what is a volatile market presently. Within our business we have a range of highly experienced waste specialists, so if you would like more information about how we could reduce costs in your business, please contact us.

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Energy Market Report – August 2019

The recent declaration that the UK Government is prepared to leave the EU without a deal has seen the Pound Sterling fall to a new two-year low against the US dollar and a similar fall against the Euro making imports to the UK more expensive. Meanwhile the ongoing trade war between the US and China with its threat of mutual trade tariffs could signal a reduced demand for global energy in the event of an economic slowdown.

These are just a couple of examples of global insights which are directly effecting the energy market and in turn the money you pay for energy. Our latest energy report provides further detail on these topics and helps to explore what this can mean for your business and energy needs.

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Energy Market Report – July 2019

As volatility within the energy market continues, businesses must increasingly look at their energy suppliers and expenditure to ensure they’re getting the best deal.

For example, The UK has made history of sorts by becoming the first major economy in the world to write into law the target to have net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This has been revised from an original target of at least an 80% reduction from 1990 levels. The implication of the net zero target means that any emissions would need to be balanced by schemes to offset an equivalent volume of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

As warmer weather continues, it has prompted sustained demand for gas for power generation as air conditioning demand has risen. Nevertheless, a very well supplied gas system and high levels of storage saw gas prices fall during June.

Author: Richard Clayton

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