In their search for best practices, AP departments often assume they should look outside their organization. However, chances are they are overlooking some efficient processes being used in other departments.

The following are some tips to help departments benchmark in their own backyards:

• Form a cross-functional team to promote enterprise-wide creation and communication of best practices.
• Create a central database of best practice ideas and maintain it via email, the Internet, or your company intranet.
• Offer bonuses, promotions or profits to employees whose ideas are put into practice.

Whether conducted internally or externally, benchmarking is an excellent way to improve processes in AP. Order The Accounts Payable Network's audio conference recording, Using Metrics to Show How AP Delivers Bottom Line Benefits, featuring Judy Bicking, APM, Johnson & Johnson, for more on building your own benchmarking program.