A lot of companies in a lot of places these days have been struggling to cut costs. Most of them are discovering the hard way that they have for too long put up with too much redundant and wasteful activity. For many, the problem is only starting, largely because thus far they are simply “mandating” cost reductions either across the board or to meet hastily set one-time targets. For these companies, cost cuts are likely to be no more enduring than a one-time haircut.