IMPROVING PROFIT is the number one objective of business leaders, yet most do not truly understand how to move beyond the basics when it comes to cost reduction for profit improvement. Typically, a company's response to reducing cost is to reduce the workforce. People are laid off in large numbers and dollars are saved-or so it seems. This is a mistake, a short-term solution. Profit Building provides a better approach, one that focuses on profit improvement as a stand-alone process, demonstrating how an organization can achieve its goals to improve profitability and reduce cost through a proven method based on team innovation management. Perry J. Ludy offers a hands-on guide that shows managers how to move profit-and-loss financial reviews beyond the basics to creative solutions and genuine action plans. Using the author's four-step Profit Building Process (PBP), Profit Building shows how to organize teams with the specific purpose of improving profit-while providing an opportunity for employees to participate in developing cost reduction strategies so that profit improvement is perpetual. A system of step-by-step activities designed to produce immediate and continuous results, the PBP shows managers how to apply concepts from prior learning-such as teams, innovation management, and performance improvement planning-to create tailor-made strategies for any organization. And it introduces "Questions Brainstorming," a new twist to traditional brainstorming that fosters avid group participation resulting in better solutions. In order to achieve success beyond today, business leaders must leverage all resources available within the organization to improve profit, reduce cost, and create a better place to work. Profit Building is an executive handbook and a quick desk reference for managers that shows how to do just that. Read Less