The Cost Management Center Podcast

Can tight cost management and meaningful innovation really coexist? Absolutely. In this episode, I sit down with Noel Sobelman, Vice President of Business Development and Innovation at TDK and an expert in portfolio management, to talk about his new book, Innovation Portfolio Management: Linking Strategy to Execution, and why so many organizations pour money into new ideas without ever seeing the growth they expected.

Noel makes a compelling case that innovation isn’t an expense to be contained but a portfolio of investments to be managed — one where every project has to earn its place and its resources. We discussed how overloaded pipelines spread people too thin, why incremental work so often crowds out higher-potential opportunities, and how leaders can tie their spending directly to strategic priorities. We also explored how Noel accelerates initiatives so they reach a clear answer faster — delivering results or failing quickly — so that capital and talent aren’t trapped in efforts that will never pay off.

For cost-focused leaders, this conversation reframes innovation spending as a capital allocation decision rather than a line item to cut. Listeners will walk away understanding how rigorous portfolio reviews, honest resource trade-offs, and a willingness to stop weak projects early free up money for the bets that matter most — proof that managing costs well and innovating boldly aren’t competing goals but two sides of the same discipline.

Connect with Noel:
linkedin.com/in/noelsobelman

https://www.tdk.com/en/index.html

Find more from Duane:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://efficacygroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanedeason/

Buy the Operationally Svelte book: https://efficacygroup.com/company-efficiency-book/

This episode addresses how operational excellence and disciplined cost management are two sides of the same coin. I’m joined by Derek Fredrickson, Founder of The COO Solution, who provides fractional COO services to clients based in Europe and the United States. We explore how the everyday mechanics of operations — priorities, efficiency, and leadership — quietly determine whether a company controls its costs or lets its costs control the company.

Derek makes a compelling case that efficiency isn’t a project you launch but a discipline you build, starting with the very first days of any engagement. We discussed what a typical client is trying to achieve, where cost and efficiency actually sit in a COO’s hierarchy of priorities, and how the relationship between Finance and Operations can either accelerate or stall progress. We also explored the leadership structures and traits that make teams most effective, the best practices he uses to benchmark operational performance, and where AI is creating value in operations today — and where it may go tomorrow.

For cost-focused leaders, this conversation reframes operational excellence as the engine of cost control rather than a byproduct of it. Listeners will walk away with a clearer sense of how the right priorities, the right playbook, and a committed leadership team translate into leaner, more resilient organizations — proof that how well a company runs and how well it manages its costs are, in the end, the same question.

Find more from Derek online:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekfredrickson/
Website: https://thecoosolution.com/

Find more from Duane:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://efficacygroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanedeason/

Buy the Operationally Svelte book: https://efficacygroup.com/company-efficiency-book/

Is there alignment between an efficiently run company and a strong company culture? You bet. In this episode, I sit down with Jill Delgado, Founder of B2We, LLC and an expert in organizational culture and change management. We unpack how the everyday behaviors of people quietly shape productivity, engagement, and ultimately the bottom line — and why so many leaders underestimate culture's influence on a company’s cost performance.

Jill makes a compelling case that culture isn't a soft, immeasurable idea but a set of daily behaviors that can be observed, tracked, and held accountable within an organization's systems. We discussed how leadership behaviors ripple through a company, why middle management makes or breaks change initiatives, how mergers and acquisitions can quietly erode the very culture that created value, and what "cultural buoyancy" means for organizations navigating disruption. We also explored AI's growing role — and why trust in it remains fluctuating and low.

For cost-focused leaders, this conversation reframes culture as a financial lever rather than an HR afterthought. Listeners will walk away understanding how accountability, clarity, and a genuine growth mindset translate into engaged teams, smoother change, and a more cost-aware organization — proof that the health of a culture and the strength of a balance sheet are far more connected than they appear.

Connect with Jill Online:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jilldressen/

Kyndryl: https://www.kyndryl.com/us/en

Find more from Duane:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://efficacygroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanedeason/

Buy the Operationally Svelte book: https://efficacygroup.com/company-efficiency-book/

Is continuous improvement an art, a science, or something else entirely? In this episode, I sit down with Keith Norris, CEO of KPI Fire, host of the KPI Fireside podcast, and author of Fire Starter: How to Ignite Improvement, to explore what separates organizations that talk about progress from those that actually deliver it.

Keith makes a compelling case that continuous improvement requires both disciplined systems and genuine cultural commitment. We discussed why so many improvement programs fail to deliver cost savings, how leaders unknowingly sabotage execution by tracking the wrong metrics, and what it takes to connect strategic goals to the daily work that drives real results.

For cost-focused leaders, this conversation offers practical insight into building an improvement culture that produces quantifiable financial benefits — not just activity, but progress. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of how the right framework turns continuous improvement from a well-intentioned initiative into a sustained competitive advantage.

Connect with Keith:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithnorris/

https://www.kpifire.com/

Find more from Duane:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://efficacygroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanedeason/

Buy the Operationally Svelte book: https://efficacygroup.com/company-efficiency-book/

What if the cloud applications your company depends on today become obsolete? In this episode, I sit down with David Habib, a Chief Information Officer and author of a book on artificial intelligence, who has spent considerable time thinking about where AI is taking us — and the answer has major implications for your technology budget.

David's central thesis is as provocative as it is compelling. AI has the potential to reshape a company's entire cost structure. We focused particularly on his premise that AI will eventually eliminate the need for many of today's most popular cloud applications — not just the licensing costs of those platforms, but also the expensive, time-consuming work of integrating them. Beyond the obvious cost savings, companies will be less constrained by applications that never seem to offer exactly what they need.

For cost-focused leaders, this warrants close attention. Listeners will walk away with a forward-looking perspective on how AI could reshape technology costs and unlock capabilities that current platforms simply don't allow.

Connect with David Online:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidphabib/

Website: https://davidhabib.com/

Latent Vector book: https://www.amazon.com/Latent-Vector-David-Habib/dp/B0FPTFD861

Find more from Duane:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://efficacygroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanedeason/

Buy the Operationally Svelte book: https://efficacygroup.com/company-efficiency-book/

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Abhay V. Trivedi, a Master Black Belt in Six Sigma, trained engineer, author, and former college dean. Not surprisingly, he has a rare depth and breadth of knowledge. He also has the skill of being able to communicate that knowledge in a way that is clear and memorable. The information just pours out of him. You should get your Six Sigma yellow belt just for listening to the podcast.

Six Sigma is the best-known model for helping companies improve processes by lowering defect rates, built around the DMAIC framework (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control). But this conversation goes well beyond methodology. Dr. Trivedi digs into the cultural, operational, and leadership factors that hold companies back — and what it actually takes to change them.

Listeners will walk away with more than a basic understanding of Six Sigma. You'll gain a core understanding of how operational efficiency and accuracy can transform a company from the inside out.

Connect with Dr. Abhay:

 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abhay-trivedi-08421214/

Find more from Duane:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://efficacygroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanedeason/

Buy the Operationally Svelte book: https://efficacygroup.com/company-efficiency-book/

In this episode, I explore how cost-reduction projects are typically conducted with Jim Shand, formerly of AlixPartners. AlixPartners is the premier service provider for companies facing financial difficulties and seeking to better manage costs. Jim worked with the firm for 10 years and provided services to many companies during that time, particularly those owned by private equity. Jim more recently joined Ankura, a firm that assists companies with business transformation.

While companies differ, they often share a surprising number of common challenges and opportunities. We discuss those commonalities in the podcast, including what they are, how they are analyzed, and how to take corrective actions. 

This is a great opportunity for listeners to understand the approach, strategy, and outcomes pursued by the top consulting firms in the cost management arena. It’s an opportunity to pull back the curtain and understand what makes these firms consistently produce results.

Connect with Jim: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimshand/

Find more from Duane:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://efficacygroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanedeason/

Buy the Operationally Svelte book: https://efficacygroup.com/company-efficiency-book/

In this episode, I discuss how to control cloud costs with Brian Kathman, CEO at OpsCanvas. OpsCanvas uses a proprietary platform and AI to deliver actionable insights to its customers, which, on average, have generated savings of 22%. 

Two decades ago, no one was discussing the need to control cloud costs. It was in its infancy and considered the cost-saving solution over traditional on-premises computing and storage. What a different two decades make. Now, cloud costs are a top expense for most companies. It’s also easy to mismanage and become inefficient.

Brian explains the problem most companies face with cloud management and how understanding utilization and implementing strong monitoring can help manage the costs more effectively. 

Find more from Brian: 

Website: https://www.opscanvas.com/about/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/briankathman

Find more from Duane:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://efficacygroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanedeason/

Buy the Operationally Svelte book: https://efficacygroup.com/company-efficiency-book/

In this episode, I discuss strategies for managing commercial real estate costs with Adam Schindler, Vice Chair at Colliers International. Adam is a top leasing agent for Colliers, exclusively representing tenants.

It is an interesting time to discuss commercial real estate as the industry is still emerging from the devastating impact of the pandemic. It’s also unclear to what extent employers will require their employees to return to the office, but the trend suggests that working remotely is increasingly falling out of favor. Regardless, I’m confident that commercial real estate will continue to be a significant cost for most companies.

What makes real estate a particularly difficult cost to manage is that it requires some level of accuracy when forecasting long-term headcount and office utilization, as leases of premium space often require a commitment of a decade or more. A company can easily find itself facing the cost impact of either too much or too little real estate, neither of which is an easy problem to solve.

Adam and I explore how companies can best manage their commercial real estate by finding the right balance between creating a dynamic work environment and avoiding the risks associated with having an excess—or insufficient—amount of space.

Find more from Adam: 

Website: https://www.colliers.com/en/experts/adam-schindler

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-schindler-19038b5

Find more from Duane:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://efficacygroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanedeason/

Buy the Operationally Svelte book: https://efficacygroup.com/company-efficiency-book/

In this episode, I discuss the challenging cost area of employer-provided health insurance with Keith Burgess, Partner/Agent at NFP, an Aon company. Keith has been in the industry for almost 30 years, and I can think of no one better to help my listeners navigate this difficult space.

Employer-provided health insurance is nothing new, but its costs have consistently outpaced inflation for decades, making it one of the top expenses for most companies. Unfortunately, all indications suggest this trend will continue. To make matters more complicated, the landscape has become increasingly complex due to the growing variety of products and services available.

Keith and I explore how companies can work to control these rising costs while remaining mindful of employee impact. Other than compensation itself, few areas are as sensitive to employees as changes to their health care benefits.

If you’re responsible for managing your company’s health insurance, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Learn more from Keith:

Website: https://www.nfp.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-burgess-6ba9071/

Find more from Duane:

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://efficacygroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanedeason/

Buy the Operationally Svelte book: https://efficacygroup.com/company-efficiency-book/