The vogue for Staff Appraisals has been spread like an infection over the past 30 years - truly an example of effective memes! These days almost any organisation that considers itself in the slightest bit 'enlightened' conducts them.

 

The search to produce an appraisal system that is both equitable and productive has paralleled the development of the vogue - the most recent and largely-welcomed development being the '360 degrees paperless appraisal'.

 

Yet, for all the enthusiasm of its advocates, the 360-degrees model has failed, generally speaking, to ameliorate the sense of 'tedious chore' felt by most managers obliged to conduct appraisals ('Appraisers') and the sense of apprehension - if not dread! - felt by most 'Appraisees'.

 

The simple fact of the matter is that most people find it unnerving to be evaluated by someone else - especially if that 'someone else' is their line manager. And all too many managers, with X-number of competing priorities, cannot help but find appraisals a chore if they regard it as a routine function with little obvious relation to making their lives easier. Some managers even find conducting appraisals an intimidating prospect.

 

Clearly organisations wishing to improve both staff relations and staff productivity need to have a holistic and strategic approach to appraisals.

 

I have developed my ideas on staff appraisals through working on the best part of 30 Investors in People projects in the 1990s - and more recently being an appraisee myself in the systems run by several schools. While it is often preferable to work with an organisation's existing in-house system, I can provide consultancy on designing and implementing appraisal systems where a new one needs to be introduced or the existing one could do with overhauling.

 

                                                                                                        Training Appraisers
This 1-day workshop* aims to give managers the skills, understanding and confidence to conduct effective appraisals. It can be conducted in-house, using an organisation's own appraisal system, or as an open workshop through a business support agency such as a Business Link or Chamber of Commerce, using my own template appraisal system.

 

The course covers:-

• Aims and objectives of appraisals
• Understanding Appraisees
• Preparation and strategy
• Layout of the interview room and creating the appropriate ambience
• Interviewing skills - including use of body language and degrees of assertiveness
• Managing conflicts
• Agreeing development actions and performance criteria

 

The workshop includes use of video'd roleplay to give participants the opportunity to practise techniques and to review their own performance.

Various bolt-on options are availabe to improve management and communication skills.

 

* The usual number of trainee Appraisers for the one-day workshop is 5-6. Additional participants will require additional time - approximately 5-6 per half-day.

                                                                                                        Training Appraisees
This half-day workshop sets out to give Appraisees the understanding, skills and confidence to get the most out of an appraisal and to ensure it is as collaborative an experience as possible.

 

The course includes:-

• Aims and objectives of appraisals
• Understanding the Appraiser
• Preparation and strategy
• Making your point in a non-threatening manner
• Agreeing development actions and performance criteria

 

Organisations which invest in Appraisee training usually find Appraisers are more confident about their role and expectations too.

 

 

Contact me now to find out more!