The B.E.S.T Model: A Framework for Sustainable Business Success

Developed by Abdullah Mohammad Abdul Qayyum (Abdullah MAQ)

What is the B.E.S.T Model?

The B.E.S.T Model is a performance assessment tool that categorizes business performance into four easy-to-understand levels:

1. B: Best

   • This is the top of the industry, where your business is a leader.

   • Companies at this level set benchmarks and are seen as role models in their field.

2. E: Expected

   • This is your target performance—above the industry average and focused on sustainable growth.

   • It’s ambitious but realistic, keeping your business competitive.

3. S: Standard

   • This is the industry average—where most businesses operate.

   • While not bad, it’s not remarkable either, and you risk blending in with the competition.

4. T: Terrible

   • Anything below the industry average falls into this category.

   • It’s a sign that something is going wrong and needs immediate attention.

The model applies to all types of businesses—startups, SMEs, and big corporations—helping them measure performance and prioritize improvement.

Why Use the B.E.S.T Model?

The B.E.S.T Model helps businesses:

• Define Clear Goals: Understand where you stand and what you need to aim for.

• Benchmark Performance: Measure yourself against industry standards to stay competitive.

• Identify Weaknesses: Quickly spot areas that need improvement.

• Drive Growth: Push your business toward long-term success by aiming for the Best level.

How to Use the B.E.S.T Model

1. Analyze Your Current Position:

   • Are you at the Best, Expected, Standard, or Terrible level in your key performance areas?

2. Set Your Targets:

   • Define your Expected level—it should be higher than the industry average and realistic for your business.

3. Work Toward Best:

   • Use your Expected goals as a stepping stone to reach the Best level over time.

4. Address Weaknesses:

   • Focus on areas that fall under Standard or Terrible and fix them immediately.

Examples of the B.E.S.T Model in Action

Startup

Imagine you’ve just launched a fitness app, and downloads are slow:

• Best: Your app has a 4.9 rating and 1 million downloads in the first year, becoming the market leader.

• Expected: Your app achieves a 4.5 rating with 500,000 downloads. Customers love it, and growth is steady.

• Standard: A 4.0 rating and 300,000 downloads—average performance but no standout success.

• Terrible: Below 3.5 rating and under 100,000 downloads. Customers complain, and your app struggles.

SME

You run a family-owned bakery and want to improve customer loyalty:

• Best: 95% of customers rave about your bakery and bring their friends.

• Expected: 85% satisfaction, with regular customers returning weekly.

• Standard: 75% satisfaction, matching other bakeries in your area.

• Terrible: Below 65% satisfaction, with complaints about taste or service driving customers away.

Big Corporation

You manage a logistics company and want to improve delivery times:

• Best: 98% of deliveries arrive on time, making you the most reliable in the industry.

• Expected: 95% on-time delivery, better than most competitors.

• Standard: 90% on-time delivery, matching the industry average.

• Terrible: Below 85%, leading to complaints and lost contracts.

Why the B.E.S.T Model is a Game-Changer

The B.E.S.T Model isn’t just about measuring performance—it’s about transforming it. By understanding where your business stands and aiming for clear, realistic goals, you can build a path to long-term success. Whether you’re running a startup, SME, or large corporation, this model helps you:

• Stay competitive.

• Fix weak areas.

• Build sustainable growth.

• Achieve excellence in your industry.

The Story Behind the B.E.S.T Model

The B.E.S.T Model was born out of Abdullah Mohammad Abdul Qayyum’s research into highly sustainable companies for Global Conference of Business and Economic Research (GCBER) 2024 by School of Business and Economic, UPM. Abdullah was fascinated by businesses that didn’t just grow fast but thrived for decades by maintaining a steady, sustainable pace.

While studying these companies, Abdullah uncovered a key insight: the most successful organizations understood their performance levels and set goals that balanced ambition with realism. They avoided the pitfalls of overpromising or underperforming. This research became the foundation of the B.E.S.T Model, a framework that simplifies performance evaluation and helps businesses thrive sustainably.