Loughborough

Seek “Best Practice”

(Steal Shamelessly – Don’t Reinvent the Wheel)
One of the most debilitating diseases affecting businesses (of any size) is the concept of “Not Invented Here” or “We Know Best”. Unless you are operating at the white-hot face of the newest technology, there will be very little in your business that has not been done better before in some other business.

As you visit clients and suppliers, look for examples of best practice – and copy if you can. Unless you are competitors, people will usually be flattered if you ask: “May I have a copy of that work instruction / check list / flier.” Even if you compete, you may be surprised at the response.

Specific Problems

If you have a specific problem to solve in your business and you are struggling to find a solution, try asking: “Which business will have this problem only bigger?”  If you can find a parallel, you will usually find a couple of solution options to review in your own business.

Become Dissatisfied

If you are comfortable with the way your business runs, you might find yourself surprised when you benchmark properly.

Benchmarking

Many of us are members of professional bodies or clubs that organise visits – (LATI for example). Take advantage of these visits and be alert to anything that you can learn from – and the best ideas will come from the most surprising places. Organisations such as The British Quality Foundation (www.bqf.org.uk  - Europe's largest corporate membership organisation promoting performance improvement and excellence) can offer training and introductions to experts.

Benchmarking Process

• Identify your problem areas - Because benchmarking can be applied to any business process or function, a range of research techniques may be required. They include: informal conversations with customers, employees, or suppliers; surveys, questionnaires, process mapping, or financial ratio analysis – ask for help if you need to.
• Identify other industries that have similar processes - For instance if improving sales per customer is the issue, you might benchmark an industry with a track-record of success in this area (fast food for example).
• Identify organisations that are leaders in these areas - Look for the very best in any industry and in any country. Consult customers, suppliers, trade associations, and magazines to determine which companies are worthy of study.
• Visit the "best practice" companies to identify leading edge practices - Companies typically agree to mutually exchange information beneficial to all parties in a benchmarking group and share the results within the group. Less formally, think about:
  • Visit a burger palace and take a seat near the tills so that you can listen to the up-sell / cross-sell process.
  • Ask businesses in your network how they approach the process you are working on. Ask for a visit.
• Implement new and improved business practices - Take the leading edge practices and develop implementation plans which include identification of specific opportunities, funding the project and selling the ideas to the organisation.

Paul Fileman MIET CEng MCIM
Chartered Marketer
paul.fileman@talktosps.com
Tel:  01509 854447
Mob: 07969 188820
www.talktosps.com