What is benchmarking?

Benchmarking is a collaborative learning process among a group of companies to focus on specific operating practices, compare measures and results and identify improved processes within their organizations.

• Data gathering in the form of detailed surveys of measures and processes;
• Identification of best performers; and
• Site visits to the best companies.

• Internally among divisions;
• Within the industry; and
• Outside the industry - “out-of-box”.

CCRBA™ Mission

To identify "Best in Class" corporate cost reduction processes, which, when implemented, will lead member companies to exceptional performance. Some of the areas covered are:

• Adjusting staffing levels;
• Optimizing procurement efficiency;
• Identifying discretionary activities;
• Minimizing materials consumption;
• Minimizing travel costs;
• Minimizing training costs;
• Minimizing energy costs;
• Reducing telecommunications costs;
• Adjusting employee benefits to market;
• Opportunities to reduce costs through outsourcing;
• Optimizing technology investments; and
• Other issues identified by members.

CCRBA™ Objectives

To conduct benchmarking studies of important corporate cost reduction processes.

To create a cooperative environment where full understanding of the performance and enablers of "best in class" corporate cost reduction processes can be obtained and shared at reasonable cost.

To use the efficiency of the association to obtain process performance data and related best practices from corporate cost reduction.

To support the use of benchmarking to facilitate corporate cost reduction process improvement and the achievement of accuracy, timeliness and efficiency.

CCRBA™ Membership

The scope of CCRBA™ membership includes individuals who work in corporate cost reduction in major corporations.

Company membership will be considered with respect to compliance with CCRBA™ mission, goals and operating guidelines, as well as, qualification of the organization within the scope of membership.

Participation in specific efforts will be optional and open only to members with costs shared by the participants. Members pay only if they join a specific study. Currently, membership in CCRBA™ is free. We reserve the right to review membership applications and to make the final decision whether or not to accept any application. Consulting firms are ineligible for membership.

CCRBA™ Benefits of Membership

Studies:

CCRBA™ will identify and present to members opportunities to participate in Benchmarking studies on various topics addressing issues of importance to the corporate cost reduction functions.

There are two types of Benchmarking studies provided:

Consortium studies are offered to the membership as a whole with costs divided.

Single company sponsored studies addressing the interest of one member company can be offered to other selected members for no fee.

The association will also support corporate cost reduction benchmarking efforts:

Research - Access public and private databases.

Identify study participants - Top companies in corporate cost reduction.

Collect data - Manage response collection with the participants as a third party.

Lead site visits - Structured with best participants.

Roundtables:

Interest group roundtables will be organized throughout the year. Members will pay a nominal fee to join real and virtual roundtable discussions that address specific corporate cost reduction processes.

Cost:

Currently, memberships in CCRBA™ is FREE!  Costs of studies are shared by the participants

Become a CCRBA™ Member