Kingfisher is planning to boost profitability by buying more goods from cheaper sources, such as China.

BBC: B&Q owner Kingfisher profits hit by wet weather

If the firm improves on these metrics for this quarter as well, it could help to boost profitability.

FORBES: Quick Take

Many firms have been cutting financial advisors on the lower tiers of the revenue-production in an effort to boost profitability.

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But banks are having to run very fast indeed to boost profitability.

ECONOMIST: Buttonwood

How the residential builders have been able to boost profitability is unclear.

FORBES: Residential builders see improved profitability

He said that reflects a decision to focus on growing leaner and making better use of what it already has to boost profitability, not just sales.

NPR: AP Interview: Toyota Chief Stresses Safe Growth

Firms engage in downsizing to boost their profitability.

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One of the strongest trends in the 2000 edition of the 1000 ranking: across Asia, companies are scrambling to boost efficiency, profitability and innovation, especially in Japan.

CNN: Asiaweek.com | Asiaweek 1000 | E-Companies To Watch

But what if the airlines and Boeing are now scrambling underneath the surface to investigate and fix a whole host of problems with the 787 whose purported 20% fuel savings offered a big profitability boost to the long-suffering airline industry?

FORBES: Why 787 Dreamliner Battery Woes Are the Tip of Boeing's Iceberg

With the potential to make insurance companies not only more productive but more importantly more responsive to their customers and agents, this shift in mindset can in turn boost profitability.

FORBES: Insurance Companies Adopt CRM Tools To Boost Productivity