Benchmarking Is The Process Of Comparing Management Essay

Benchmarking Is The Process Of Comparing Management Essay Benchmarking  is the process of comparing ones business processes and  performance metrics  to industry bests or  best practices from other industries. Dimensions typically measured are quality, time and cost. In the process of benchmarking, management identifies the best firms in their industry, or in another industry where similar processes exist, and compare the results and processes of those studied (the â€Å"targets†) to one’s own results and processes. In this way, they learn how well the targets perform and, more importantly, the business processes that explain why these firms are successful. Benchmarking is used to measure performance using a specific  indicator  (cost per unit of measure, productivity per unit of measure, cycle time of x per unit of measure or defects per unit of measure) resulting in a metric of performance that is then compared to others. Also referred to as â€Å"best practice benchmarking† or â€Å"process benchmarking †, this process is used in management and particularly strategic management, in which organizations evaluate various aspects of their processes in relation to best practice companies’ processes, usually within a peer group defined for the purposes of comparison. This then allows organizations to develop plans on how to make improvements or adapt specific best practices, usually with the aim of increasing some aspect of performance. Benchmarking may be a one-off event, but is often treated as a continuous process in which organizations continually seek to improve their practices. Also referred to as â€Å"best practice benchmarking† or â€Å"process benchmarking†, this process is used in management and chiefly strategic management, in which organizations evaluate various aspects of their processes in relation to best practice companies’ processes, usually surrounded by a peer group distinct for the purposes of comparison. This then allows organizatio ns to develop plans on how to make improvements or adapt specific best practices, usually with the aim of increasing some aspect of performance. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6-8Um0wAcdX7OUBCCSKFn4WmnUKLwNJJKtCcN0bjtVMjArM62bhSZThmfeI4wLSJXK_pOP1YlviS_tjnHOhg_4nAATnWLH4spjNFMWzp8kzPbxymHIeFFzjZSFuy0yN4EauyoGZFT0bg/s1600/BENCHMARKING.gif Benefits and use Lowering Labor Costs One advantage of benchmarking may be lower labor costs. For example, a small manufacturing company may study how a top competitor uses robots for several basic plant functions. These robots may help the competitor save a significant amount of money on labor costs. Company managers may obtain information on these robotics systems through the competitor’s website or online articles. They may also identify the company that sold the competitor the robots. Subsequently, the company using benchmarking may call the robot manufacturer to help set up its own system. Improving Product Quality Companies may also use benchmarking to improve product quality. Engineers sometimes purchase leading competitors’ products. They may then take them apart, study them and determine how the competitors’ products outlast or outperform others in the industry. Chemical engineers may study food or cleaning products in a similar manner. They can then compare various elements contained in competitive products to their own product line. Subsequently, improvements can be made to product quality. Increasing Sales and Profits A company that uses benchmarking to improve its functions, operations, products and services may enjoy increases in sales and profits. Customers are likely to notice these improvements. The benchmarking company may also promote is improvements through company brochures, its sales reps, magazine and television ads. These efforts are likely to increase sales, especially among core customers. Companies that operate more efficiently due to benchmarking can drastically lower their expenses. These savings can be lead to greater profits.

The Ethical Dilemma of Maximizing Pleasure. Utilitarianism Dilemma Essay

The Ethical Dilemma of Maximizing Pleasure. Utilitarianism Dilemma - Essay Example My predicament provides quite a simplified and inaccurate version of John Stuart Mill’s principle of utility which states that actions promoting happiness or pleasure are considered to be correct whereas actions promoting unhappiness or pain are considered to be wrong (John Stuart Mill 330). According to Mill’s principle, my choice of going to Nuit Blanche instead of studying was the right one as I was able to maximize my pleasure. But, this situation is too simplistic and does not provide a moral argument for Mill’s principle. Let us consider the following thought experiment where a trolley is out of control and it is approaching five people who cannot escape the impact. Fortunately, you are next to a switch which could change the path of the train and save the five people. But, the other track is under construction and if you were to flip the switch, you would kill one construction worker. In this situation, Mill’s principle of utility would argue that s aving five people would result in maximizing the most happiness or pleasure and therefore it would be morally justified to kill the construction worker. Thus, the central idea of Mill’s principle states that the morality of an action is contingent upon its consequence. I believe that Mill’s principle is problematic because the notion of happiness or pleasure is subjective to every human being and this subjectivity creates problems when solving ethical dilemmas. In order to present my position clearly, I will first provide the benefits of Mill’s principle. I will then elaborate on some of the common objections and problems that his principle faces and demonstrate my issue with the principle and how its application fails in contemporary society. Mill’s Principle: Mill contributed to utilitarianism through reinforcing the view that individuals ought to take actions that produce the greatest happiness among people while keeping within reason. In contrast to o ther contributors to utilitarianism, Mill was of the view that the concept of happiness had differences qualitatively i.e. being directly proportional to intelligence of the individual. He argues that happiness is superior to contentment and one who experiences higher forms of happiness would not trade them for lower forms, â€Å"Few intelligent creatures would consent to be changed into any of the lower animals for a promise of the fullest allowance of the beast’s pleasures, no intelligence would consent to be a fool† (John Stuart Mill 21). He further argues that those who have experienced only the lower happiness are not in a position to objectively contribute to the question of which one is better (23). The gist of Mill’s principle is consequentialism; that actions are right based on the degree to which the greatest good for the greatest number of people is promoted. Benefits of Mill’s Principle: Mill’s argument of utilitarianism gives a yardsti ck to judge actions as either being right or wrong on the basis of the amount of happiness caused and to how many individuals. It thus can be applied in guiding actions that potentially raise ethical questions, where it can be argued that acting for the benefit of happiness for the majority of people is the right course of action; individuals should always choose to that which produces the greatest utility. While traditional consequentialism would seem to excuse any form of action as long as it produces pleasure, Mill’s principle is based on qualitative reasoning, establishing that there are higher and lower forms of happiness, hence sadist actions such as torture cannot be excused on however much happiness they cause to majority of people. Shortfalls and Objections

Crito Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Crito - Assignment Example Socrates says: â€Å"Tell me, then, whether you agree and assent to me first principle, that neither injury nor retaliation, nor warding off evil by evil is ever right.† Socrates says that doing unjust is never appropriate – even repaying for some abusive acts. Man has always act just; never can he do evil, even suffering does not permit to act evil and unjust. The major premise is that man ought never act unjustly. The second is that man has an obligation to abide by the judgments of the state and not to seek individual exceptions to the law. That is why Socrates decides to abide the state and not to escape to save himself. I support his perspective, as if everyone acted like that, the world would be much better. Objection. Regarding the first premise that states that man ought never act unjustly, people may oppose such statement as there are many unfair cases, in which, they believe, they can respond evil with another evil. Or a greater one. History traces many lines when power and violence decided the way the world developed; there are achievements built on blood and bones (for example, the Great Wall), deceptions solved the wars – yet they began them widely. Even some sacred Hindu texts say it is just to revenge. People often think being kind is not beneficial; somebody may use it for own profit. Being clever and strategic is more valued nowadays. It does not mean people are evil; just they observe always the possibility some other people may deceive or betray them. In case they face injustice and evil, they often think that it is appropriate and permitted to act accordingly – evil and unjust. They may believe such behaviors would put an end to misbehavior. But actually, usu ally such approach enhance evil and hatred and raise the gap that emphasizes the conflict between just and unjust, good and evil. Replay. I