Depending on why, static / manual statistics on tables (also normally a no-no) may also help.
(This is assuming whatever applicable regular maintenance (stats, index or table reorgs if needed) is done prior to the time-sensitive batch... and understanding sometimes there's just not enough hours in a day to run batch AND maintenance :| )
(This is assuming whatever applicable regular maintenance (stats, index or table reorgs if needed) is done prior to the time-sensitive batch... and understanding sometimes there's just not enough hours in a day to run batch AND maintenance :| )