Better measurement, forecasting projected for 2011.

• Author: Ladd, Scott
• Position: STRATEGIC PLANNING - Brief article

It's the time of year for predictions on the kinds of issues and trends that will dominate the business agenda in the coming year. Basware, a global purchase-to-pay solutions provider, weighs in with its view that finance and procurement departments are likely to seek new methods of measuring cost-cutting to reflect the pressures of market volatility.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The Stamford, Conn. - based company says the chief financial officer agenda will assume a longer view of the challenges facing financial executives, as companies work to establish stability and a more predictable work environment in a constantly shifting global market.

Among the trends the company forecasts for this year: despite the short-term demands on cost-cutting and productivity for financial executives, many will start to look further down the road in setting strategies and priorities. In addition, companies must work toward a more efficient and agile transactional system across their global supply bases.

Multiple data formats, evolving legislative requirements and a fragmented supplier base can leave CFOs in a tough spot, struggling to...