Wise Up with OpenWater

Rethinking Cost as a Growth Strategy – with Jeff Peduto

Listen Later

What if the fastest path to growth isn’t chasing new revenue, but improving the profitability already inside your business?

In this episode, I speak with operations executive and cost optimization advisor Jeff Peduto about why cost optimization should be treated as a strategic growth lever—not just a reactive cost-cutting exercise. Drawing on decades of experience leading operational transformation and business optimization, Jeff explains how organizations can uncover hidden inefficiencies, improve supplier spend, protect margins, and create lasting operational discipline.

We cover topics including:

  • Why cost optimization is a growth strategy—and how smarter supplier management and operational efficiency can unlock meaningful working capital and EBITDA improvement
  • Why improvement programs often fail over time, and how accountability, operating discipline, and ownership make results stick
  • How a pay-for-performance consulting model aligns incentives around outcomes, not activity—reducing risk while increasing trust and execution

    • If your business is working hard but margins still feel tighter than they should, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for creating stronger financial performance.

    The Wise Up! Podcast is your regular dose of business wisdom, brought to you by the members of OpenWater.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Wise Up with OpenWaterBy OpenWater