One of the best ways to get a jumpstart on emerging trends and optimize the front-runner benefits is to conduct benchmarking. Whether working alone or in concert with interested others, you can spot trending patterns by gathering information from industry leaders through the benchmarking process, which gained prominence in the early 80′s as a result of the Total Quality Management (TQM) movement. Benchmarking represents a means of learning about best practices and applying them to your own circumstances. Part of those best practices involves being able to make solid predictions for the future.
If you are considering working with partners in order to gather data on emerging trends:
1- Identify parameters/requirements of the benchmarking project.
2- Analyze statistics regarding existing practices/emerging deviations from expected norms.
3- Identify/contact benchmarking partners to verify early indicators.
4- Research to learn extent of early indications.
5- Use the Shewhart Cycle of Plan-Do-Check-Act to optimize findings.
Before undertaking research on your own, or lining up benchmarking partners, there are questions to be asked.
DETERMINING WHOM TO CONTACT
What trends do I sense are emerging?
What evidence do I have to date?
What research is being done on those future-possibilities?
By whom?
How much time/how many resources can I devote to determining if the trends are real?
What is my purpose in identifying these trends?
How can I optimize my findings?
Do I need to partner?
Partnerships, even those that cover a finite time span, can yield impressive results. Partnering via benchmarking can yield even more impressive results.
–
About the Author:
Dr. Marlene Caroselli (mccpd@frontiernet.net; www.caroselli.biz) is a keynoter, corporate trainer, and the author of 60 business books and one e-book, Principled Persuasion, named a Director’s Choice by Doubleday Book Club when first released.
You must log in to post a comment.