Did you review your employees at least once last year?  If so, how did it go? Did the employees feel motivated by the review?  Did you get increased performance from that motivation? If you didn’t review your employees, are you happy with the accountability of your team and is everyone working to help you achieve your vision for your business?

A good performance management system is the best way to move your company forward, as the people who work for you are your greatest asset and means to achieving your goals. An effective performance management review allows you to proactively manage the employee; by evaluating their performance, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, providing meaningful feedback, and setting achievable goals.

If you are not confident in your current performance management practices, your organization would benefit from an audit of your processes and systems. An open and candid review of current practices might reveal opportunities to make dramatic improvements.

Some questions to ask as you begin to evaluate where your organization might improve performance management include:

• Are you using technology to manage your performance process?

• If you do use technology, are your managers proficient at using the technology tools needed to effectively manage employee performance?

• Are your employees clear on what is expected of them?

• How frequently do managers and employees talk about performance?

• Do managers routinely provide positive feedback and recognition to employees?

• What is the current rate of participation in your current review process, getting them conducted and turned in?

• What is the timeliness of getting reviews completed and do you have to hunt down the managers to get them finished?

• Are your managers well trained to have performance-related conversations with employees? 

• Do all managers rate employees the same way?

• What do your employees say about your current performance system and process?

Consider integrating performance management software into your annual review process. A quality performance management system like AssessTEAM offers a birds'-eye view of your company’s HR landscape, providing real-time, custom reports, easy scheduling, and a handy dashboard. Software can help your organization to keep performance front and center, enhancing collaboration between employees and managers and creating a culture in which performance is an ongoing conversation and coaching opportunity.

If you find your performance review process lacking, contact us and we will help you explore options to improve employee engagement, performance, and accountability.