An example of competitive benchmarking would be:

Competitive benchmarking is the process of comparing specific metrics, processes, or performance indicators of a company against direct competitors in the same industry to identify areas for improvement and best practices. In this case, comparing product performance with a direct industry competitor is a quintessential example because it involves looking at how one company's products stack up against those of another company that operates in the same market and serves the same customer needs. This direct comparison helps organizations understand their competitive position and enhance their products or services based on the insights gained.

The other options do not fit the definition of competitive benchmarking. Evaluating internal processes of different departments focuses on internal rather than external comparisons, which does not provide insight into industry competitiveness. Assessing marketing strategies of unrelated businesses is more about learning from different sectors without a competitive lens. Finally, analyzing financial performance across varying sectors may offer some strategic insights but is not a true competitive benchmarking exercise, as it involves sectors that may not directly compete with each other.