- "In the last 20 years our business has changed considerably…and as the focus of our business has changed, Bird Luckin have moved with us."
Alex Tanner, George Tanner (Shalford) Ltd - "Bird Luckin has looked after us incredibly well for over 60 years, they are pro-active and innovational - meeting all our needs to help us achieve our aims."
Richard Stubbings, Cliffords Limited - "I can honestly say that Bird Luckin are the best firm of accountants and auditors I have ever dealt with - and I don't say that lightly!"
Colin Webb, Walthamstow Stadium - "It's important for us to know that we will always be able to contact the right people to give us the right advice and support."
Jane Bennett, Bennetts Funeral Directors - "Although we deal mainly with one Partner … we also know that if we need to contact someone else who is a specialist in another area, we can get the advice we need quickly and easily"
Jeremy Ruggles, J.S. Wright & Sons Ltd - "Bird Luckin got us to a stage which would have taken us months - if not years - to reach on our own, and they got us there in a matter of weeks"
Matthew Sullivan, SNC Ltd - "You can be a good accountant, but if you don't have an understanding of the industry it can be very difficult. "There are two or three people we have regular contact with at Bird Luckin who know our business well, and it makes a difference.""
Robert Church, W A Church (Bures) Ltd - "The work which Bird Luckin has done for Boddingtons over the past few months has helped shape our future direction for the better."
John Warner, Chief Executive, Boddingtons Ltd - "Bird Luckin has acted for us since our inception 10 years ago. They have a very 'can do' yet highly professional attitude - we are very appreciative of their support and advice over the years."
Marlon Fox, Outlook Property Ltd
Benchmarking: Not just a large company concern
It is not only large businesses that need to apply benchmarking techniques.
The expectations of the global consumer are such that businesses now have to compete on standards of service and price, regardless of their size.
Research has indicated that many companies are missing out on significant profit opportunities by not implementing best practices.
The benchmark index
The Benchmark Index, created by the UK's Small Business Service, allows you to compare your business against over 2,000 benchmark results.
Benchmarking can help to improve productivity and competitiveness, and can reveal new business opportunities.
If you think your business has room for improvement in performance and profitability you might start by completing the free online 'healthcheck'.
This will help you gauge the performance of your business in the areas of finance (including R&D and marketing expenditure, turnover, and loans), customer service, innovation and suppliers, and employees.