Why take part?
It provides invaluable insight into your agency’s competitiveness. What you are doing well and should enhance. What is not up to standard and how you should aim to improve it. The majority of IPAs have participated two or more times, as they find it useful to measure their improvements and to keep in touch with new techniques and approaches to investment promotion.

How much does it cost?
Low cost benchmarking starts at just GBP 700 + VAT, so any agency can afford to take part. Developing countries and LDCs may be eligible for subsidised participation.

Our agency wants to benchmark particular areas of our business.
Good! Custom benchmarking lets you you choose which sectors/business areas, regional teams and websites you want to benchmark. Choose the sectors, the teams and the approximate timing for the test enquiries to be submitted.

How does the benchmarking work?
A test investor or location consultant will review your website for key investment information. Then they will contact your agency directly, and will assess the level of support given by the agency team.

How specialised is the test enquiry?
Very! The programme will asses any combination of over 30 industry sectors and sub sectors, and up to 20 different business function/activity. Furthermore enquiries can be submitted and managed in English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese.

What's new in 2009/10?
Responding to agency demand we have introduced test enquiries both from site selection consultants and also typical corporate investors. After successful testing in 2007/8 we also now include the testing of investor expansion and aftercare projects.

What results and reports do we get in return?
IPA Performance Benchmarking gives you a substantial independent analysis of your agency’s performance with typical investment enquiries.

Custom benchmarking agencies, as part of the fee, also receive a dedicated half day traiing workshop for their staff, held at their offices.

When will the testing be done?
The programme starts in March 2009 and will run through to the end of 2009 and early 2010. That gives most agencies plenty of scope to time the testing to suit both the budget and also the development activities in teams, on sector programmes and, of course, new website developments.

Which other agencies will we be benchmarked against?

Around 120 new national, city and regional agency assessments are set to join in the 2009/10 benchmarking programme. Furthermore your results will be compared to previous year's results obtained from more than 800 assessments since 2001.

How do I register my agency to be benchmarked?

To join in the 2009/10 programme register here or  email ruben.anton[a]gdpglobal.com

More on How IPA Performance Benchmarking works:

The GDP Global expert consulting team will thoroughly assess your website and provide a 12-point analytical report of its effectiveness and any areas for improvement.

Our global benchmarking team will submit a typical investment enquiry to your agency team(s).  The 13-point analytical report informs you on every step of the process: telephone enquiry handling, email effectiveness, team work, quality of proposal information, levels of service etc.
We complete our analysis, and then submit to you the confidential draft and final reports, together with the results of the entire benchmarking programme. Our report to you covers operational, organisation and strategy related observations and recommendations.
For custom benchmarking clients, we will present your agency’s results, findings, analysis and recommendations at a half day workshop, held in London or at your agency, for all of your staff.

If you are already an IPA Benchmarking client agency you can review your performance by signing in at www.ipabenchmarking.com.

If you have any questions and need assistance contact us or request a call back at a time that suits you.