Yes, they appreciated it so much they'll paid me money. :-)

Yes it's how an expense becomes viewed as an investment with an ROI.

Actually most non-VC startup companies are heavily focused on opportunities to reduce their spending so long as it does not effect their ability to grow revenue

I didn't write that original comment, but yes, my experience is that businesses are VERY happy to find ways to save money.

As they say, a marginal dollar saved "drops straight to the bottom line" (profits).