The word benchmark as a term has been used in various forms for centuries. For example, the military used it after the introduction of gunpowder in firearms in the 1800’s. With the use of guns rather than bows and arrows, the new weapon only left a mark on a target rather than a visible arrow to mark the shot. Therefore, marksmen would shoot various firearms affixed on a bench from the same spot to compare results and allow for selection of the most suitable weapon in their battles. The resulting marks were known as “bench marks”. 

The term benchmarking in business terms however is credited to Robert C. Camp, Manager of Benchmarking Competency Quality and Customer Satisfaction at Xerox in the 1980’s, who developed a four-phase benchmark program for Xerox. When they started their benchmark process, they began with competitive benchmarking focusing on their competition and how they could do better. They then took it a step further to process benchmarking to look beyond their own industry sector and determine best practices in other industries.

NETS has conducted an annual member benchmark program for many years and just launched the 2022 Strength IN Numbers® Benchmark Program starting with a series of orientation sessions for all participating NETS members. The benchmark report brings together socially responsible companies willing to look at their own crash metrics, compare findings and share what they’ve learned. The program is for all types of companies and organizations — large or small, local or global, public or private.

It has often been said “you can’t fix what you don’t measure” and I think Robert C. Camp would agree with that statement. If you’re not benchmarking your road safety performance against other organizations, how do you know how you’re really doing and how can you determine best practices in order to make improvements?

To learn more about NETS Benchmark program please visit: https://trafficsafety.org/road-safety-resources/nets-strength-in-numbers-benchmark-report/ or contact Ann Kidd, NETS Operations Manager, at akidd@trafficsafety.org.

NETS Annual Strength IN Numbers® Benchmark Now Open!

We are excited to announce that NETS annual Benchmark process has begun for all NETS Member Companies. We are currently offering Orientation Sessions to review the process and answer any questions you have about the benchmark input system. If you haven't already, we encourage you to sign up for one of the following remaining sessions:

After a successful launch of our new Benchmark data collection system in Quickbase last year, we are excited to continue the use of this new and enhanced platform which affords even greater capabilities with our Benchmark processes. Highlights include collection and analysis of additional benchmark leading and lagging program indicators, as well as numerous user-friendly and back-office system efficiencies. 

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THESE SESSIONS. Please click on the link above for the one session you would like to attend and complete the registration form. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. You will need to add the invite to your calendar. We expect these orientation calls to last approximately 30 minutes and will leave plenty of time at the end for anyone who has questions.

eDriving, a Solera company, helps organizations around the world to reduce incidents, collisions, injuries, license violations, carbon emissions, and total cost of fleet ownership through its patented digital driver risk management programs.

At its heart is the Mentor by eDrivingSM smartphone app that identifies risky driving behaviors for intervention and safe driving habits for recognition. In-app features include micro-training and coaching, gamification, collision reporting, vehicle inspections, and an individual FICO® Safe Driving Score validated to predict the likelihood of being involved in a collision. Mentor’s integrated automatic crash detection and Personal SOS features powered by Sfara and Bosch trigger a voice call and emergency support, as needed, from one of Bosch’s Global Call Centers supporting >50 countries. Through its five-stage, patented Crash-Free Culture® risk reduction methodology, eDriving helps organizations embrace safety and reduce risk for Sales, Service, Delivery and Warehouse drivers, all within a privacy-first, data-secure environment.

eDriving is the digital driver risk management partner of choice for many of the world’s largest organizations, supporting over 1.2 million drivers in 125 countries. Over the past 25 years, eDriving’s research-validated programs have been recognized with over 100 awards around the world.

Mobile device distractions put employees in danger and companies at risk. So why would anyone settle for safety measures that simply report what went wrong, or only work when people remember to turn them on? TRUCE Software automatically suspends distracting mobile apps and functions depending on what your employee is doing, where they are working or even the workgroup they are part of. You define the policy and TRUCE ensures compliance when and where it’s needed. Supporting more than 100,000 subscribers and some of the largest brands worldwide, our patented technology is making workplaces everywhere safer.

Learn about all of NETS Fleet Safety Sponsors

March 1, 8, 15, and 22, 2022 For fleet, safety, and risk managers, this four-part seminar series unpacks the most critical aspects of fleet safety programs within the broader context of developing a culture of safety. Over the course of four 60-minute online sessions, hear from leading fleet and safety professionals as they provide critical insights about formal fleet safety plans that improve safety, increase satisfaction, reduce risk, and drive fleet efficiency.

www.nafa.org

Do you have a particularly successful road safety example to share? NETS Members are encouraged to share best practices, ask questions or contribute their expertise to the NETS Road Safety Leaders Forum, an online discussion forum exclusively for NETS Members and Sponsors. Not yet a member? Check out the benefits at https://trafficsafety.org/membership-info/.