How To Ensure To Optimize Perfomance
JBM Consulting
Greetings!

Performance evaluations we know, are critical management tools despite the type or size of our business.  We still struggle with doing them even once a year!! 
 
The facts are, assessment of performance is necessary on a regular, frequent basis if we are to remain competitive and ensure we are getting the performance we need and expect.
 
So what do we need to consider?
 
Employee needs -We know that Generation X and Millennial workers have different needs and requirements of their employer but we also know that ALL employees benefit from regular good communications in the workplace.  They want immediate feedback!
  
Business Necessities - We also know that we need to remain competitive and changes in our approaches to our business and work need to keep up if we expect to be strong in our business. Businesses can't wait until once a year to communicate to their employees how well they are doing and what needs to change...this has to be an ongoing process.
 
Organization structure - The traditional model of top down isn't necessarily the best approach to getting work accomplished in the most effective, efficient and appropriate manner.  Involving our employees in all aspects of their approach to their work is key.  This only happens with ongoing, frequent communications.  Work groups and teams with a team leader often have the most effective results. Those that handle the work day to day know it best! Utilizing the input of these individuals is critical!
 
 Here are some tips:
  • Create short term objectives and goals that include action steps and measurements, all with the help of the employees that handle the work; the clearer the "lines of sight" are, the more likely employees will reach such goals
  • Be clear on the direction and goals desired ensuring the goals support your mission and vision (which can be formal or informal, every business has an idea of "who" they want to be)
  • Keep employees engaged; allow them to assess their own progress; once goals are written with action plans and measurements, it becomes easy to evaluate the progress together
  • Utilize regular, specific, feedback results to determine training needs; training can be informal and in the form of job enrichment and includes cross functional duties assigned; the more employees know about the "total picture" the more they appreciate their value as well as that of their co-workers
 
Annual performance evaluations remain important however, this approach of providing immediate, specific, frequent, clear feedback on a regular basis make this annual formal documentation quite simple. 
 
Not only are we reemphasizing the importance of performance management, but we are encouraging everyone to focus on this as a way of day to day "best practices" as an effective leader.
With warmest regards.
 
 

Jeannine Brown Miller, MA, SPHR Principal Consultant
JBM Consulting

JBM will soon be offering FREE WEBINARS on topics that are commonly important to my clients - Conflict Resolution and Motivating Employees...coming soon.  Check out JBM's website in the near future for more information.