And this probably understates likely cost savings because it is based on lower procurement costs alone.

ECONOMIST: A thinkers’ guide | The

In generation, lower procurement costs and improved efficiency levels compensated for 20% lower output, due in part to plant outages.

BBC: Iberdrola profits powered by strong UK performance

In the program, small sari-sari stores benefit from lower procurement costs thanks to the unified sourcing of goods at the Community Store, which serves as a hub for as many as 120 stores in the area.

WSJ: Microloans Target Shopkeepers

DoCoMo, meanwhile, ironically benefited from weak demand for new handsets that pushed its procurement costs lower, and it might be the start of a revolution in the way Japanese phones are announced and offered.

ENGADGET: China Unicom profits down 50 percent, NTT DoCoMo up by the same margin

While these savings are expected to come largely from organizational streamlining, the company will also target areas such as real estate, information technology, product and service procurement costs, overall general and administrative expenses, and a significant reduction of suppliers in order to further lower costs and improve quality.

ENGADGET: Nokia Siemens to cut 17,000 jobs as part of global restructuring