Best-in-class companies shine—even in a down economy—because they are able to maximize resources and keep costs low. But what exactly are the characteristics that best-in-class AP organizations possess?

To gain that insight, you first need to know the quantitative measures and benchmarks against which to compare your AP performance. Secondly, and more importantly, you need to know what it takes to achieve those performance levels in weeks, not years.

Join Ariba and the Hackett Group for this upcoming live webinar, and learn how other organizations have obtained best-in-class status. Take away tips and advice that you can use to optimize your AP organization in a short period of time to achieve similar results.

Procurement leaders of global enterprises are facing increasing challenges to do more with less over the next 12 to 18 months due to the uncertain economy. But while desperate times may call for desperate measures, Aberdeen Group reports that the majority of procurement departments need only take a "back-to-basics" approach to uncover huge reserves of potential savings. Spend visibility programs are proven, invaluable tools that help organizations to identify savings opportunities to bring more spend under management.
 
Join Ariba as Andrew Bartolini shares recent findings from the report, Spend Analysis: Pulling Back the Cover on Savings, including the steps your organization can take now to ensure greater savings in the face of even-stricter budgets. Find out what best-in-class companies are doing to achieve success, and walk away with tips that can give your bottom line a boost.

We are living though one of the most volatile economic climates in more than 70 years. Not only has the bottom dropped out of the stock market, but commodities have gone from historic highs to two-year lows in a matter of weeks. Direct materials such as plastics and rubber markets are seeing the most favorable sourcing conditions in years, while indirect materials and services categories are seeing significant pricing pressure due to seven straight months of rising unemployment.

As companies face recessionary conditions and look to cut cost, the time is right to start sourcing to take advantage of market conditions in an effort to drive savings to the bottom line.

Join this webinar to hear the top five categories to source now. Led by Ariba commodity experts, this webinar will provide you with current pricing information on core direct and indirect categories you should consider.

Speakers:
Pat Furey, Senior Category Manager, Category Management
Mike Petro, Senior Category Manager, Metals
Bob Zieger, Category Manager, Indirect Materials & Services
Kimberly Davis, Category Manager, Paper & Packaging
Rachel Rutkoski, Category Manager, Transportation
Shawn Fronzaglia, Category Manager, IT and Services