Benchmark Index

As part of their ongoing mission to increase productivity and grow the local economy, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership turned to Benchmark Index to help them modernise their business support service.

They needed a cloud-based diagnostic platform that could underpin the customer journey through all stages. They wanted the platform to integrate their efforts into one service that could capture data across multiple channels, including their triage team, advisers and local businesses. It also had to be customised to their specific needs and scalable, allowing new modules to be added as needed.

Benchmark Index delivered.

As Helen Lee, NE Growth Hub Programme Manager explains in this short video, we provided a reliable, robust and user-friendly platform that has transformed how they interact with businesses:

Together with the Growth Hub, we created a business model diagnostic that pinpoints which business practices lead to high performance
We also created the Entrepreneur Profile that identifies high growth performance and potential.
The customised platform promotes collaborative planning across the service, improves marketing and business engagement, and professionalises the offer.
Advisers were trained on how best to use the service.

Already more than 100 SMEs have used the diagnostics in its first few months. We are now working with the Growth Hub to create new modules on finance, innovation and international trade.

During strong economic head winds and the uncertainty surrounding local business support, it is a pleasure to provide a tangible, positive and immediate effect on growth and productivity.

To learn more about Benchmark Index and how we can help streamline and improve your business support service, browse our website and get in touch for an informal chat.

Backed by a database of more than 150,000 global businesses, Benchmark Index is a suite of powerful and proven business diagnostic tools that help businesses grow.

"Benchmark Index continues to drive international competitiveness and is the cornerstone of enterprise development and productivity improvement"

Prof. Holger Kohl, Director Division Corporate Management, IPK Fraunhofer

"Enterprise Ireland has been using Benchmark Index tools to support economic development for over 20 years. It's helped to drive a variety of agendas, including increased productivity, lean take up, Brexit preparedness and business growth. The international best practice comparison aspect has been particularly invaluable."

Jan Gallagher, Lean-Operational Excellence Advisor, Enterprise Ireland

"I've used the Australian version of Benchmark Index with over 200 SMEs from numerous sectors as part of the national Entrepreneurs Programme. I'd strongly recommend this powerful tool. It's s fantastic at getting under the skin of business performance and practices, essential for developing effective plans for future business success"

Mal Clark, Business Adviser, AusIndustry

"Benchmark Index continues to play an important role in diagnosing and identifying the priority areas for business improvement"

Lee Baines, National Manager - Director and Programme Support, Entrepreneurs Programme

"Benchmark Index has helped us to understand the competitiveness of our businesses and asses the impact of economic conditions and business support initiatives"

Paulius Lukauskas, Enterprise Lithuania, Managing Director

"Benchmark Index is being employed in the retail sector to drive increased productivity through improved people skills"

John Browning, Head of Projects and Services, The National Skills Academy - Retail

Modernising Business Support with the NE LEP

As part of their ongoing mission to increase productivity and grow the local economy, the North East Local Enterprise Partnership turned to Benchmark Index to help them modernise their business support service.