When a company undergoes an account audit, the goal is clear: to uncover inefficiencies and identify potential savings. Yet, even when significant savings are presented, some companies delay taking action. It's not uncommon to experience months of silence, only to have the prospective client eventually move forward. This pattern raises an important question: why wait, especially when the cost of inaction can be so high?
A recent case brought this issue into sharp focus. We worked with a mid-sized company in the Northeast, conducting an audit in June 2024. The results were clear: we identified over $28,000 in monthly savings, amounting to a 47% reduction in costs. Despite these large savings numbers, the company hesitated, went silent, and delayed their decision for eight months.
THE COST OF WAITING
During the delay, the company’s account became even more inefficient. Monthly bills increased by $5,200, compounding the financial impact of inaction. By the time they decided to move forward, the cumulative cost of waiting had reached a staggering $244,000. This was nearly a quarter of a million dollars of wasted spending—money that could have been reinvested in growth, innovation, or other strategic priorities.
The Opportunity Cost of Inaction
The example above illustrates how costly delays can be. Every month of inaction translates into missed savings—in this case, over $28,000 per month. Additionally, inefficiencies can worsen over time, further escalating costs.