Benchlearning

Further to the success of Benchmarking - A Signpost to Excellence in Quality & Productivity, this latest book creates a new concept, 'Benchlearning'. Building from an established level of understanding, this innovative new approach combines the practical technique of benchmarking with the more topical ideas of knowledge management and organisational learning. By so doing, the authors show that it is possible to move on from pure comparison to benefit from the knowledge and experience of others and create a real learning organisation.

Examples from a range of organisations including Ericsson, show how to monitor efficiency, provide inspiration for a development drive, and illustrate how to influence people's attitudes. Learning from other people's experience, in combination with the principles of organisational learning, is critical for successful organisational development.

Benchlearning principles can be applied to almost any group or company to promote a win-win-win situation: employees performance improves as they learn to develop, customers gain more value and choice, and owners benefit from a more competitive organisation.

This book answers the question 'how do you know that your operation is efficient?' It is the next step in benchmarking.

Bengt Karlòf is the senior partner and founder of Karlòf Consulting, a Swedish-based strategy consultancy with worldwide interests.Renowned for his work in the area of strategic development, Bengt Karlòf has acted as a consultant for numerous major organisations in both the public and private sectors over the past twenty years. He lectures widely in both academic institutions and at management seminars on all aspects of strategy. He has written a number of books on the subject, which have been translated into several languages. Always from a practical stance, Bengt Karlòf's aim is to produce a business strategy which will make organisations work more efficiently.

Kurt Lundgren is an acting professor at The Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and a researcher at the Swedish National Institute for Working Life. Different aspects of 'the economics of learning' have been the main content in Kurt Lundgren's research. Increased complexity and a rate of technological change have changed the conditions for individual and organisational learning. Kurt Lundgren is now working with research and development projects in the famous Kista area - The Wireless Valley - outside Stockholm.

Marie Edenfelt Froment is a partner and president of Karlòf Consulting, a Swedish-based strategy consultancy with worldwide interests. With an educational background of Human Resource Development, Marie Edenfeldt Froment tries to combine strategy and business development with aspects of both individual and organisational learning. She works as a consultant for both private and public organisations and was responsible for the case studies described in the book.