Michael Lautner

About Michael Lautner

Having spent much of my career helping organizations grow revenue and improve commercial effectiveness, I’ve seen firsthand that one of the most overlooked levers for improving profitability is on the cost side of the business.Most companies work far harder to earn incremental revenue than they do to optimize the dollars they already spend—yet improving cost structure and supplier performance can often deliver a faster, more direct, and more measurable impact on the bottom line.At the same time, many organizations are facing increased margin pressure, rising operating costs, and tighter expectations around cash flow and profitability—without the internal bandwidth or visibility needed to fully address them.As a result, meaningful savings opportunities often remain hidden across supplier agreements, legacy contracts, and unmanaged spend categories.Today, I partner with CFOs, COOs, and executive leadership teams to uncover and capture that opportunity.I work with organizations to identify inefficiencies, validate supplier value, and optimize operating spend across non-core and G&A expense categories—without disrupting operations or compromising service quality.Through ERA Group, I leverage a global network of specialists across 50+ cost categories, combining deep category expertise with real-time benchmark data and proven implementation strategies.The result is measurable, sustainable cost improvement that strengthens cash flow, improves margins, and creates flexibility for reinvestment and growth.Our model is fully aligned with our clients: engagements are performance-based, meaning there are no fees unless measurable savings are delivered.If you\'re looking to uncover hidden profit, improve supplier performance, or bring greater visibility and control to operating spend, I welcome the conversation.

Experience

1. Consulting Partner

   ERA Group - North America

   Mar 2026 — Present · Cincinnati, OH, US

   Partner with CFOs, COOs, and senior leaders to improve financial performance by optimizing operating spend across non-core expense areas.Leverage benchmark data, category expertise, and hands-on execution to help organizations gain greater control over spend and deliver measurable, sustainable savings.Engagements are structured on a success-based model, ensuring alignment and accountability—clients only pay from realized savings.

Education

• Xavier University

  Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies

• Kellogg Executive Education

  Digital Marketing Strategies

  2020 — 2020

• Western Michigan University

  Bachelor’s Degree, BBA, Industrial Marketing

Skills

• Training Facilitation
• Strategic Planning
• Leadership
• Account Management
• Change Management
• Sales
• Selling Skills
• Solution Selling
• Talent Development
• Business Strategy
• Sales Presentations
• Direct Sales
• Coaching
• Talent Management
• Cold Calling
• Salesforce.com
• Training
• Competitive Analysis
• New Business Development
• Selling
• Start-Ups
• Strategy
• Marketing Strategy
• Sales Management
• Marketing
• Management Consulting
• Executive Coaching
• Negotiation
• Sales Operations
• Employee Engagement
• Customer Service
• Public Speaking
• B2b
• Leadership Development
• Strategic Sales Initiatives
• Performance Improvement
• Organizational Development
• Sales Process
• Performance Management
• Crm