When it comes to financial risk management, time is money.

That truism applies across investments, debt, and management ofcash balances, of course—as well as every other aspect of treasuryimpacted by interest rates or foreign exchange. It also applies tothe ability to acquire and leverage all kinds of data. Being thefirst company to respond to critical information about changes inthe external economic environment can mean the difference betweensuccessful response as a market leader and a corporate quagmirethat results from getting left behind. Likewise, understandingchallenges faced by a business partner before they are more widelyrecognized can provide a competitive advantage.