Abstract
This paper discusses the benchmarking and best practices strategy of Home Depot, Wal-Mart, BMW, Nike and Office Depot. The paper points out that best practices are what have allowed these companies to become as successful as they have and are indicative of their innate leadership qualities. The paper also notes that leadership is a prerequisite for a business strategy guided by the implementation of best practices based on benchmarking competencies.

From the Paper
"This document discusses the benchmarking and best practices strategy of five companies: Home Depot, Wal-Mart, BMW, Nike and Office Depot. Best practices are what have allowed these companies to become as successful as they have and are indicative of their innate leadership qualities. Leadership is a prerequisite for a business strategy guided by the implementation of best practices based on benchmarking competencies. Benchmarking and best practices are primarily a method that engenders more..."

Tags:best, practices, benchmarking

Abstract
This paper examines the corporate culture and the operating paradigm at General Electric (GE) that has allowed it to become the industry leading best practices benchmark across a number of industries. In particular, the paper examines Six Sigma as an integral part of GE's legendary success and a vital component of its executive training and development program. The paper notes that GE is also recognized as producing quality executives that are continually offered leadership positions in other firms and organizations.

From the Paper
"This document examines the corporate culture and the operating paradigm at General Electric (GE) that has allowed it to become the industry leading best practices benchmark across a number of industries. In particular, Six Sigma is examined as an integral part of GE's legendary success and a vital component of its executive training and development program. GE is also recognized as producing quality executives that are continually offered leadership positions in other firms and organizations."

Tags:ge, best, practices

Abstract
This paper identifies regulatory issues that the shipping industry--Fedex and UPS--has addressed with best practices and shows how such best practices can be turned to competitive advantage.

From the Paper
"Companies in the shipping industry such as Fedex and UPS are as law professor, Larry E Ribstein, puts it, regulatory entrepreneurs. A regulatory entrepreneur is defined as a company that can capture tangible or intangible benefits from fighting existing regulations. Put in a slightly different way, these companies can increase their profitability and the intangible benefits such as customer satisfaction and good branding, by going one better than simply meeting regulatory requirements they can actually turn them to their advantage. In essence the..."

Tags:regulatory, best practice, Fedex, UPS, shipping, World Trade Center, USPS

Abstract
The paper examines best practices in quality, speed and flexibility and in managing information as an asset, used by six companies. The paper discusses the strengths and weaknesses of each practice. The paper evaluates the military organization as a whole in terms of these twelve best practices and offers prescriptive recommendations for improving existing processes. The paper maintains that embracing best practices and the benefits they deliver is essential for the growth and maturity of a strong military organization.

Outline:
Introduction
Best Practices in Quality, Speed, and Flexibility
Organizations Using These Best Practices
Assessing Strengths and Weaknesses of Each Best Practice
Evaluating Military Organizations on Best Practices Performance
Best Practices in Managing Information as an Asset
Organizations Using These Best Practices
Assessing Strengths and Weaknesses of Each Best Practice
Evaluating Military Organizations On Best Practices Performance
Conclusion

From the Paper
"This paper is organized into two parts, with the first being best practices as they relate to quality, speed, and flexibility in companies, and the second being on best practices as they relate to managing information as an asset. The approach to each of these two topics is identical and briefly discussed here. Best practices refer to the optimal level of performance for any given organization and often take into account the factors of organizational structure, business and operational processes, and strategies for fulfilling organizational objectives."

Tags:customer, satisfaction, supply, chain, information, benchmarks

Abstract
This paper defines best practices as the optimal level of performance for any given organization taking into account the factors of organizational structure, business and operational processes and the strategies for fulfilling organizational objectives. The author evaluates six best practices, reviews six companies using them and identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each practice. The paper relates that, because of its need for quick and correct information, the military organization needs to improve its existing processes based on the lessons learned from best practice benchmarks. Much of this paper is presented in tables and bullet point format.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Best Practices in Quality, Speed, and Flexibility
Organizations Using These Best Practices
Order-to-Cash Fulfillment Cycle
Supply Chain Synchronization
Standardization of Customer Service Processes
Greater Inventory Visibility
Collapsing Order Cycle Times Through Outsourcing
Assessing Strengths and Weaknesses of Each Best Practice
Evaluating Military Organizations on Best Practices Performance
Best Practices in Managing Information as an Asset
Organizations Using These Best Practices
Re-Orienting Content Management Systems from Being Isolated or Siloed to Being a Corporate-Wide Resource
Supporting Customers More Responsively through Integration of Content Management Systems
Integrating Both Unstructured and Structured Content to Gain Greater Insights
Creating a Center of Excellence for Managing the Many Integration Points and Defining Process Interaction Points
Organizing Information from both Structured and Unstructured Data for Compliance
Redefining Personal Productivity, Knowledge Management and Workflows Applications, Tools and Techniques
Assessing Strengths and Weaknesses of Each Best Practice
Evaluating Military Organizations on Best Practices Performance
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Redefining personal productivity, knowledge management and workflow applications, tools, and techniques, bringing information closer to the knowledge workers is an evolving best practice, according to Murphy, McNeill, and Davis. Microsoft and SAP are working to capitalize on this trend by integrating the R.3 ERP system from SAP with Microsoft's Office products. This is a product strategy aimed entirely at making knowledge workers more effective at their work."

Tags:optimal, strategy, benchmarks, objectives, integration

Abstract
The paper defines a best practice as representing a specific technique for managing an IT project that has the best chances of success. The paper discusses how best practices provide a roadmap for a project but cautions that one can become too dependent on the processes. The paper concludes that best practices are an effective tool when they are developed with the specifics of the organization in mind. However, they cannot replace the talent of the organization.

Outline:
Why Use Best Practices?
How Realistic is the Best Practices Approach?

From the Paper
"Best practices in the IT field developed largely from failures (Kay, 2002). They were the result of IT projects that did not meet customer expectations or perform as intended. Managers wanted some assurance that future projects would have better results than previous ones. Therefore, they develop a process that would include several different phases, with attention to each phase at its proper time and place. There are many different versions of "best practices" to be used for IT projects. Some are merely reiterations of others, while others were borrowed from other fields and adapted to the IT field."

Tags:tools, roadmap, guidelines, performance, measures, results

Abstract
This document discusses the benchmarking and best practices strategy of five companies. The writer looks at Home Depot, Wal-Mart, BMW, Nike and Office Depot, and explains that best practices are what have allowed these companies to become as successful as they have and are indicative of their innate leadership qualities. The writer discusses that leadership is a prerequisite for a business strategy guided by the implementation of best practices based on benchmarking competencies. The writer maintains that benchmarking and best practices are primarily a method that engenders more efficient and informed decision-making on the part of managers and employees alike because they indicate the areas in which an enterprise is most successful.

Outline:
Abstract
Overview
Home Depot
Wal-Mart
BMW
Nike
Office Depot
Conclusion

From the Paper
"BMW is a recognized leader in the luxury automotive industry where its products are perennially among some of the most popular automotive products in the luxury car segment. The complex nature of reducing and managing operational and financial exposures in the automotive industry is difficult because of the nature of its production and supply base. With production of the major automotive companies taking place across several continents and in many countries, numerous supplier-partners who are depended on to integrate their supply-chains with that of the manufacturer and myriad raw material sourcing strategies, the automotive industry faces a monumental task in reducing its operational and financial risks through the management of its exposure in these areas ..."

Tags:competencies, decision-making, strategies, leadership

Abstract
The paper discusses the competitive advantage in e-commerce enterprises as it relates to benchmarking best practices. The paper reviews e-commerce related research and examines the functional use of a benchmarking best practices strategy vis-a-vis a company's business strategy.

Outline:
Overview
The Peril of Not Benchmarking
Best Practices through Benchmarking
Conclusion

From the Paper
"At its core, benchmarking is directly related to obtaining competitive advantage and to keeping it once obtained. Competitive advantage is gained in many ways. In terms of e-commerce for either business to business (B2B) or business to consumer (B2C), the importance of benchmarking cannot be underestimated. One of the most important advantages gained from benchmarking off of competitors' or even customers' websites is not necessarily that competitive advantage is gained, but the simple fact that competitiveness is maintained (Luftman, 2003, p.18). Yet, benchmarking best practices in B2B and B2C e-commerce does enable competitive advantage in several key ways."

Tags:competitiveness, effectiveness, criteria, core, competency, methodology

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that research findings have demonstrated that best practices exist in the instruction of students diagnosed with learning disabilities in reading. This work identifies and reviews those best practices in what is a synthesis of the findings in this area of study.

Outline:
Objective
Significance of Study
Methodology
Introduction
Literature Review
Findings
Bibliography

From the Paper
"Stated as best practice for instructional guidelines are the following:
(1) Before reading: (a) use explicit instruction to preteach unfamiliar important words from the text; (2) have students use mapping techniques, such as Semantic Mapping, to help them think about new word meanings; (c) help students relate new vocabulary to their prior knowledge and experiences.
(2) During reading: (a) have student add new words and concepts to their maps; (b) use content-area word walls as a resource; (c) teach students to use word parts such as prefixes and suffixes to read new words; (d) teach students how to use the context of expository text to figure out word meanings; and (e) expand on word meanings that were defined in the textbook to ensure students' understanding of the new words."

Tags:instruction, words, difficulties, students

Abstract
The paper discusses the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, a goal-oriented instrument that provides standardized reporting and data collection methods for companies, and so can establish best practices on an organizational level. The paper addresses the merits and drawbacks of the emissions trading system, and then emphasizes the need to set concrete goals and proper operational boundaries. The paper discusses how the key to making the Greenhouse Gas Protocol work is convincing companies to participate, and considers the benefits of green marketing, as opposed to the dishonest practice of green washing. Finally, the paper addresses the role of senior management in achieving emission goals.

Outline:
Instrument Methodology
Pros and Cons of Carbon Trading
Setting Business Goals to Support GHG Reductions
Setting Operational Boundaries
Engaging Organizations to Achieve Buy-In
Senior Management's Role in Accomplishing Emissions Goals

From the Paper
"One of the most difficult obstacles in the implementation of the protocols is the development of a measurement method. Various sectors will need to utilize different methods for the calculation of greenhouse gases. Unless a reliable means for measuring greenhouse gases is devised, companies will have no way to determine if their practices are effective. The Greenhouse Gas protocol has several calculation tools available for a number of sectors so that standardized reporting can be achieved across various industries (WRI & WBCSD, 2004). Uniformity in reporting techniques is crucial to the success of the protocols. Everyone must be utilizing similar reporting techniques."

Tags:carbon, trading, emissions, green, marketing, washing, management