​ Service firms have high overhead costs which are difficult to assign to individual services. To bring transparency to their value chain, they need costing approaches that help them find their own improvements. Markus B. Baum explores current theory and practice of value chain approaches and cost accounting to develop a costing approach with a suitable instrument for the allocation of fixed and overhead costs for a service firm. He describes the service business costing (SBC) approach. This hybrid-costing model has a hierarchical structure in terms of consolidation and allocates cost and revenues on the lowest hierarchical level possible to ensure that all costs and income are assigned to activities from which they originated.

"The Contractor Fight" is what HGTV host and best-selling author Tom Reber calls the battle between your ears. We all have stories and experiences that have formed us into who we are. We are what we think, and the battleground is our mind. The Fight is not with the people you think are "cheap customers." It's not with the unlicensed competitors or the "illegals," as many contractors think. The Fight is with yourself. Sadly, most of the struggles contractors have are self-imposed. It's friendly fire. The negative ways we think about ourselves and our worth... friendly fire. The growing debt, working too much, small bank account... friendly fire. Winning the Fight is a choice. You're noble and full of integrity. You bend over backward to serve your family and clients. You have taken it on the chin more times than you can count. Now, it's time to get yours. Earn what you're worth. Create a business that serves you and energizes you, instead of one that beats you down. Choose to own your crap and get better today.

Praise for IMPLEMENTING VALUE PRICING A Radical Business Model for Professional Firms "Ron Baker is the most prolific and best writer when it comes to pricing services. This is a must-read for executives and partners in small to large firms. Ron provides the basics, the advanced ideas, the workbooks, the case studies everything. This is a must-have and a terrific book." Reed K. Holden founder and CEO, Holden Advisors, Corp., Associate Professor, Columbia University www.holdenadvisors.com "We've known through Ron Baker's earlier books that he's not just an extraordinary thinker and truly brilliant writer he's a mover and a shaker on a mission. This is the End of Time! Brilliant." Paul Dunn Chairman, B1G1® www.b1g1.com "Implementing Value Pricing is a powerful blend of theory, strategy, and tactics. Ron Baker's most recent offering is ambitious in scope, exploring topics that include economic theory, customer orientation, value identification, service positioning, and pricing strategy. He weaves all of them together seamlessly, and includes numerous examples to illustrate his primary points. I have applied the knowledge I've gained from his body of work, and the benefits to me and to my customers have been immediate, significant, and ongoing." Brent Uren Principal, Valuation & Business Modeling Ernst & Young® www.ey.com "Ron Baker is a revolutionary. He is on a radical crusade to align the interests of service providers with those of their customers by having lawyers, accountants, and consultants charge based on the value they provide, rather than the effort it takes. Implementing Value Pricing is a manifesto that establishes a clear case for the revolution. It provides detailed guidance that includes not only strategies and tactics, but key predictive indicators for success. It is richly illustrated by the successes of firms that have embraced value-based pricing to make their services not only more cost-effective for their customers, but more profitable as well. The hallmark of a manifesto is an unyielding sense of purpose and a call to action. Let the revolution begin." Robert G. Cross, Chairman and CEO, Revenue Analytics, Inc. Author, Revenue Management: Hard-Core Tactics for Market Domination

Over the last decade, capital goods manufacturers have added services to products as a way of responding to eroding margins and the loss of strategic differentiation. Based on over twelve years of research, this book provides a thorough overview of the strategies available for value creation through service business development.

In the dynamic world of business, where profitability is the ultimate pursuit, the realms of costing and pricing reign supreme. Like a master symphony conductor, every entrepreneur and manager must skillfully orchestrate the delicate balance between cost and prices to create a harmonious melody of success. Welcome to a journey that explores the intricacies, methodologies, and strategies behind costing and pricing a voyage that will empower you to navigate the jumble of financial decisions with finesse. Within the pages of this book, we delve deep into the captivating world of costing, where we uncover a treasure trove of methods that unravel the enigma of expenses. From traditional methods like absorption costing and job costing to innovative approaches like activity-based costing and target costing, we dissect each technique, unveiling their unique merits and demystifying their complexities. As we unravel the intricate web of cost, you will gain the tools to dissect your organization's expenses, assess their impact, and make informed decisions that elevate your business to new heights. However, cost control alone is not enough to navigate the turbulent seas of modern commerce. It is within the symphony of pricing strategies that the true potential for profitability lies. With meticulous attention, we explore the multifaceted landscape of pricing, where art and science converge to shape the market dynamics. From cost-plus pricing and value-based pricing to skimming and penetration pricing, each strategy is dissected, evaluated, and synthesized to equip you with a formidable arsenal of pricing techniques. By understanding the psychology of pricing, market segmentation, and the impact of competitive forces, you will be empowered to set optimal prices that captivate customers, maximize revenues, and ensure long-term sustainability. Yet, the journey does not stop there. Recognizing the inseparable bond between cost and prices, we explore the nexus between the two a realm where profitability and competitiveness intersect. We embark on a quest for cost reduction, uncovering innovative approaches and strategies that can bolster your bottom line without compromising quality. We unearth the power of lean management, process optimization, strategic sourcing, and supply chain efficiencies, allowing you to shape a leaner and more resilient business ecosystem. Moreover, we delve into the realm of iv price optimization, where strategic discounting, pricing psychology, and revenue management techniques converge to unlock new avenues of growth and profit. Throughout this voyage, we embrace the nuances of various industries, from manufacturing to services, retail to technology, and beyond. Drawing from real-world case studies, industry best practices, and expert insights, we distill the essence of costing and pricing to offer practical guidance that transcends organizational boundaries. Regardless of your sector, whether you are a budding entrepreneur, seasoned manager, or aspiring financial expert, this book aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions, outmaneuver your competitors, and unleash the true potential of your enterprise. As we embark on this transformative journey through the enchanting landscape of costing and pricing, prepare to unlock a new realm of financial daring. Together, let us cross the intricacies of costing methods, cost reduction strategies, and the art of pricing to plan a symphony of profitability that resonates far beyond the realms of commerce. Welcome to the realm where cost and prices converge a world of strategic decision-making, untapped opportunities, and boundless potential.

A practical approach to business transformation Fit for Growth* is a unique approach to business transformation that explicitly connects growth strategy with cost management and organization restructuring. Drawing on 70-plus years of strategy consulting experience and in-depth research, the experts at PwC’s Strategy& lay out a winning framework that helps CEOs and senior executives transform their organizations for sustainable, profitable growth. This approach gives structure to strategy while promoting lasting change. Examples from Strategy&’s hundreds of clients illustrate successful transformation on the ground, and illuminate how senior and middle managers are able to take ownership and even thrive during difficult periods of transition. Throughout the Fit for Growth process, the focus is on maintaining consistent high-value performance while enabling fundamental change. Strategy& has helped major clients around the globe achieve significant and sustained results with its research-backed approach to restructuring and cost reduction. This book provides practical guidance for leveraging that expertise to make the choices that allow companies to: Achieve growth while reducing costs Manage transformation and transition productively Create lasting competitive advantage Deliver reliable, high-value performance Sustainable success is founded on efficiency and high performance. Companies are always looking to do more with less, but their efforts often work against them in the long run. Total business transformation requires total buy-in, and it entails a series of decisions that must not be made lightly. The Fit for Growth approach provides a clear strategy and practical framework for growth-oriented change, with expert guidance on getting it right. *Fit for Growth is a registered service mark of PwC Strategy& Inc. in the United States

Today’s billion-dollar e-commerce industry, plug-and-play technology, and savvy web surfers are just few of the reasons why internet-related services are in high demand. There has never been a better time to build your net service business—let us help you get started! Detailing four of today’s hottest web service businesses, our experts show you how to take your enthusiasm for the internet and turn it into a lucrative business. Learn step by step how to apply the basics of building a business to your internet specialty, including establishing your business, managing finances, operations, and so much more. Plus, gain an inside edge with insights, tips, and techniques from successful net service CEOs and other industry leaders! • Choose from four of today’s hottest web services—web design, search engine marketing, new media, blogging • Discover your clientele and their needs • Build a virtual or traditional office setting and team • Create a business brand that gets noticed • Write a marketing plan that captures clients and creates referrals • Develop profitable partnerships • Boost profits by expanding your specialty or your business Gain an edge on all that the internet has to offer—start your net services business today!