ws10.1108/wsWork Study0043-8022Emerald Group Publishing Limited10.1108/ws.2000.07949eaf.007e-non-articleSecondary articleFeaturescat-MSOPManagement science & operationscat-MSOManagement science/operations researchcat-WSSMWork study/scientific managementBest practice database01092000495© MCB UP Limited2000Performance measurement, Benchmarking, Knowledge management, Database management.peer-reviewednoacademic-contentyesrightslinkexcludedBest practice database

Keywords Performance measurement, Benchmarking, Knowledge management,Database management

In today's highly competitive business world, the difference between theaverage and great performance is not that great. One of the measures thatincreasingly differentiates world-class companies from the rest of the pack istheir ability to fully exploit knowledge and information within their ownorganisations.

BestPracticeDatabase.com at http://www.BestPracticeDatabase.com catalogues insights from world-classcompanies - such as Xerox, British Petroleum, Hewlett-Packard, Monsanto andGeneral Electric - to provide immediate, around-the-clock access to first-handinformation on how these and other leading organisations have successfullyimplemented knowledge management systems that cut costs and increaseproductivity. These companies understand the importance of processing andfiltering the mountains of information received by each employee daily in orderto produce advances and strategic advantage for the company. As companies haverealised the importance of information processing, they have turned to formalknowledge management efforts to improve their internal information processingand knowledge sharing systems.

Examples of how other world-class companies have successfully appliedknowledge management strategies to their own organisation are available at BestPractices, LLC's online database, BestPracticeDatabase.com. They claim thatthese data are more applicable to real-world needs than books and articles onknowledge management theory; the database emphasising practical applications ofknowledge management and highlighting actual cases where knowledge managementinitiatives are succeeding.

For example, one example profiles a leading chemical manufacturer whoseintellectual capital management system currently saves the company over $1million a year. The categorisation and search functions also pinpoint thosesubtopics best suited and most relevant to the needs of the accessingorganisation.

To find out more, you can take a virtual tour of BestPracticeDatabase.com tosee the benefits of annual membership, which is available for a limited time for$4,000 for the entire database, and only $1,000 per subject area. Individualdocuments can be purchased online by non-subscribers. For more information or tosign up for membership, contact Keith Symmers at (919) 403-0251, extension 227or ksymmers@best-in-class.com

For more information about Best Practices LLC, call 919-403-0251 or visit thecorporate Web site at http://www.best-in-class.com