Benchmarking: From Xerox to Today’s Top 20%

Benchmarking is not new. For centuries, armies compared tactics, merchants compared trade routes, and artisans compared techniques. But benchmarking as a formal business discipline truly began in the 1980s — and it started with Xerox.

In the early 1980s, Xerox was under siege. Japanese copier manufacturers like Canon and Ricoh were producing faster, cheaper, and better machines. Market share was slipping away.

Enter Robert C. Camp. Instead of just looking inward, Camp looked outward. He studied competitors and even businesses in other industries. By analysing processes, costs, and performance, he identified where Xerox was falling behind — and what needed to change.

This wasn’t about copying. It was about learning, adapting, and building stronger systems. Camp called it benchmarking. His 1989 book Benchmarking: The Search for Industry Best Practices that Lead to Superior Performance became the foundation text worldwide.

At TaxFitness, we’ve taken benchmarking to the next level for accountants and their small business clients. With our Top 20% Business Benchmarking System, firms can now measure clients against the very best performers in their industry — and then apply proven strategies to close the gap.

Just like Xerox used benchmarking to reclaim leadership, accountants can use it to deliver superior results for their clients.

The lesson from Camp and Xerox is clear: Don’t just compete. Benchmark. Learn. Adapt. Lead.