I believe that this tip is particularly helpful for giving your staff a real appreciation of how your business compares to other organizations that are considered your competition. Before embarking on a field trip like this, take a few minutes to explain what you are hoping to achieve and what types of things you would like your staff to compare.
Afterwards, conduct a debriefing to discuss the group's observations. How was the business that you visited better or worse than your own business? You may be surprised to hear some of their observations, and they will be interested to hear yours.
This exercise takes the myth out of what the competition offers in terms of service and products and makes it a reality.