The day-to-day procedures within an organization are unlikely to be influenced by market forces. Communications or 'deliveries' are made between different departments to receivers who cannot turn to alternative suppliers. There is no competition, standards are accepted and inefficiencies arise. This is where benchmarking comes in. The effect of benchmarking on the development of an organization can be profound. With the use of practical examples, and drawing on the authors' experience, Benchmarking: A Signpost to Excellence in Quality and Productivity illustrates how benchmarking can provide an enormous incentive to increased efficiency in an environment which previously operated as a 'planned economy'. With a properly implemented benchmarking programme, it is possible to integrate education, leadership, development and organizational dynamics with the actual work being done, and to make that work more efficient in terms of quality and productivity. As this book illustrates, benchmarking is a continuous systematic process whereby a comparison is made between productivity, quality and practices in your own organization and a chosen similar organization which represents excellence. The process is aimed directly at increasing operative and strategic efficiency, and leads to learning, skill enhancement and efficiency which in turn leads to development. The authors explain the effect of benchmarking upon a company's development. This process is defined as benchlearning. The book illustrates how to cultivate a learning organization, how to acquire, absorb, share and apply new knowledge with a view to constantly improving performance. Benchmarking: A Signpost to Excellence in Quality andProductivity is a complete and thorough guide to a process which has been proved to significantly enhance a company's performance. This book is a practical guide for all managers concerned with costs and efficiency. It is also an essential reference for MBA students.