behavior n - the manner in which a person behaves in reacting to social stimuli; or to inner need; or to a combination thereof. Webster's Dictionary. benchmark n - a point of reference from which measurements of any sort may be made. Webster's Dictionary. Behavioral Benchmark n - a standard against which people in your organization may be measured. MPR, Inc. MPR's Behavioral Benchmark development program is based on the competence theory: if you want the best, find out what the best do. We begin with an internal benchmark. The best in your organization are studied to determine what it is that makes them great at what they do. A Benchmark tells you what behaviors a person in a given position within your organization must have to be successful. The benchmark is a powerful management tool. You have heard the expression, "runs like a well oiled machine". Well, the reason a well oiled machine runs so well is because all the right parts are doing all the right things. In your company, if you have employees misplaced in the wrong positions, your machine will not work nearly as well as it could. We start by going through a data gathering process and work with your management team to take apart a given position from the inside out. We analyze the data, identify the traits, and develop interview questions specific to that position within your particular corporate culture. Once the Benchmark is in place, employee and candidate profiles are measured against this detailed behavioral picture of the position and you have a reliable, objective tool to help with making hiring, promotion, management and performance evaluation decisions. You have the right people in the appropriate positions in the right organization and now your whole organization is "running like a well oiled machine". copyright © 2001 MPR Inc.