Government has an important practical role in helping to promote partnerships. UK companies need to match the best in the world, by learning from the best in the world. They need to benchmark their performance and adopt best practice. Government has an important role in helping business collaborate sectorally, regionally and locally to raise performance to these exacting world-class standards. Successful businesses need the right environment within the business to engage in these activities and unlock the talent of their employees, for example, through Investors in People.
Government can promote best practice here too.
However, many businesses do not recognise the need for best practice, do not know where to start or how to build it into the business. The Government is providing substantial funding for the CBI's Fit for the Future campaign which aims to stimulate a massive increase across the country in the number of businesses adopting best practice. The Government recognises that benchmarking and best practice cause particular difficulties for smaller businesses. Business Links and the equivalent support organisations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and trade associations already give special help to encourage the use of these techniques. The Government is updating the UK Benchmarking Index and expanding the Inside UK Enterprise and Connect for Better Business services.