Benchmark Index

BenchmarkIndexA European StudyIf economic growth is to continue to be developed it is essential thatour thriving 3.7 million small businesses are encouraged to compete onthe world stage. The ability of a company to compare themselves totheir competitors internationally is, therefore, essential.Benchmarking is an invaluable first step for any organisation wishingto improve its performance.The Small Business Service's Benchmark Index has reached apre-eminent position around the world in the sphere of small businessbenchmarking and enables companies to build on their strengths andaddress their weaknesses to help boost productivity.I am delighted to publish this report and am confident its findings willfundamentally help small firms across the world get to the future first.Nigel Griffiths - Minister for Small BusinessContents3 introduction to Benchmark Index4 executive summary6 country overviews14 country comparisons (manufacturing)26 country comparisons (service)34 benchmarking impact38 appendix 1. benchmarking glossary402. public policy statements41 appendix 3. benchmark data source424. Benchmark Index analysts2Benchmark IndexBenchmark Index is arguably the world's mostextensive benchmarking resource for smallbusinesses. It's aim is simple - to help improvethe competitiveness and profitability of businesses.It is run by the Small Business Service (an ExecutiveAgency of the DTI) and, in the UK, is delivered by700 trained advisors from ...