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Are You in Search of Excellence? Benchmark Against the Best in Order to go Further.
By Garfield Joseph, MBA
The Power of Benchmarking
In a world where performance is everything—whether in business, government, or personal development—benchmarking stands out as one of the most practical and transformative tools available.
It is not just a buzzword for consultants or corporate strategists; it is a mindset and a method that can drive meaningful improvement across every facet of life.
Why Benchmarking Matters
Benchmarking is the process of comparing one’s performance, processes, or outcomes against a recognized standard or best practice.
It allows individuals and organizations to identify performance gaps, learn from the best, and implement changes that lead to measurable improvement.
For public sector employees, benchmarking is especially critical. In an era of limited resources and rising expectations, governments must deliver more with less.
Benchmarking helps ministries, departments, and agencies evaluate their efficiency, effectiveness, and impact. It fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
For individuals—whether professionals, students, or entrepreneurs—benchmarking offers a clear path to growth.
It answers the question: “Where am I now, and how do I get better?”
Benchmarking in Action: The OECS Case Study
Professor C. Justin Robinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus, recently published a compelling analysis of the financial performance of countries in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
His article, part of the OECS Budget Watch 2025 series, benchmarks the economic growth, inflation, and fiscal discipline of six member states. Robinson’s work is a textbook example of benchmarking in the public sector.
By comparing GDP growth rates, debt levels, and spending priorities, he highlights which countries are sprinting toward resilience and which are lagging behind.
For instance, Dominica and Saint Lucia are leading with growth rates above 4%, while St. Kitts and Nevis is struggling at 2.5%, weighed down by declining Citizenship by Investment revenues.
This kind of comparative analysis is not just academic—it’s actionable.
It provides policymakers with a mirror and a map: a reflection of where they stand and a guide to where they need to go.
Garfield Burford of ABS TV—A High Water Mark
Benchmarking is not limited to macroeconomics.
It applies just as powerfully to individual careers.
Take, for example, Garfield Burford, Director of News and Current Affairs at ABS Television in Antigua and Barbuda.
Since his arrival, Burford has elevated the standard of journalism in the country through his professionalism, integrity, and commitment to truth, even while mentoring and coaching others along the way. For young and aspiring journalists, Burford represents a benchmark.
His work ethic, storytelling skill, and ethical compass set a high bar—one that others can strive toward.
By studying his methods, emulating his discipline, and adapting his best practices, emerging journalists can accelerate their own development as we have seen in Urcil Charles Jr.
Lessons from Mr. Leroy Merchant: Benchmark with the Best
One of the earliest and most enduring lessons I learned about success came from Mr. Leroy Merchant, my high school teacher at Clare Hall Secondary School.
He often reminded us that if we wanted to be successful, we had to do what successful people do. His message was simple but powerful: benchmark with the best.
Whether it was in academics, behavior, or ambition, he encouraged us to observe high achievers, learn from their habits, and model our efforts accordingly.
That mindset—of measuring ourselves against excellence—has stayed with me ever since, shaping how I approach growth in both my personal and professional life.
Universities and the Ivy League Standard
Even institutions of higher learning engage in benchmarking.
Caribbean universities, including UWI, often measure their performance against Ivy League institutions like Harvard, Yale, and MIT.
While the contexts differ, the aspiration to match global standards in research output, student success, and innovation drives continuous improvement.
This benchmarking process informs strategic planning, curriculum development, and faculty recruitment.
It pushes universities to ask hard questions: Are we preparing students for the future? Are we producing research that matters? Are we delivering value to our communities?
Benchmarking as a Personal and Professional Tool
Beyond institutions and industries, benchmarking is a powerful tool for personal growth. Whether you’re a permanent secretary in the government service, a teacher, manager, head of a trade or labour union, or athlete, or artist, you can benchmark your performance against the best in your field.
This doesn’t mean copying others blindly—it means learning from their strengths, understanding their strategies, and adapting their approaches to fit your unique context.
As a part-time lecturer at The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus over the past two years, teaching summer classes as needed, I’ve come to appreciate benchmarking not just as a concept, but as a personal practice.
Though I’ve taught at the secondary and A-Level for brief periods, I knew that when benchmarked against the best educators, I still had a long way to go.
Determined to improve, I turned to someone I trust deeply—my wife, a trained educator who teaches teachers how to teach, and also a part-time lecturer at UWI Five Islands Campus.
I invited her to observe a few of my classes and give me honest feedback. Her insights were invaluable.
From refining my delivery to rethinking how I engaged students, her guidance helped me to get better.
This experience reminded me that benchmarking isn’t reserved for boardrooms or bureaucracies. It’s a tool that professionals across all fields can use to elevate their craft—if they’re willing to be open, reflective, and committed to growth.
The process is simple but profound:
- Identify the Best – Who is excelling in your field or role?
- Measure Your Current Performance – Where do you stand today?
- Analyze the Gap – What separates you from the top performers?
- Learn and Adapt – What can you learn, adopt or modify to improve?
- Implement and Monitor – Take action and track your progress.
Conclusion: Start Where You Are, Benchmark to Go Further
Benchmarking is not about perfection—it’s about progress. It’s about recognizing that excellence leaves clues, and those clues can guide us to better outcomes.
Whether you’re leading a government agency, running a business, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, benchmarking offers a clear and practical path forward.
If you’re unsure where to begin your journey of improvement, start by benchmarking. Look at the best in your field. Study their habits, systems, and results. Then take deliberate steps to close the gap—not by imitation, but by innovation. Learn what works, adapt it to your reality, and commit to continuous growth.
In the end, the goal is not to be a copy of someone else, but to become the best version of yourself—measured, informed, and inspired by the best.
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I love this message. It’s exactly the kind of mindset we need in our schools and universities. Aim high and don’t settle!
Benchmark who? Some a dem big name people have million-dollar budget. We ya jus ah try mek ends meet.
Me like de sound a dat, but mek sure ya remember say ‘excellence’ start home—manners, respect, hard wuk. Benchmarkin start wid self.
Excellence? Dem nah even fix up de community center far years. Me done tire hear sweet talk.
This is one of, if not the most inspiring, truthful, potent and motivational pieces ever posted on this platform. Truly endorsed. This is not just writing for the sake of it, instead it was well thought through and thought-provoking.
Well done Mr. Joseph