Praise for Appraisals

In my previous blog, I mentioned how effective internal marketing can aid employee motivation. After a recent experience of mine, I want to briefly discuss the use of performance review as a further method of maintaining motivation within the workplace.

Performance review or appraisal is a widespread approach designed to evaluate employee performance and generate long-term business benefits through positive outcomes such as motivation.

Until I joined Sellick Partnership, my personal experience of performance reviews was very limited. I had encountered just one formal workplace appraisal back in 2010. It was a spontaneous one-on-one meeting with a Director of the business - and after eleven months in the role without any structured feedback, I was genuinely petrified. Whilst it all turned out fantastically on that occasion, entering into an appraisal setting with a negative or fearful mindset is in my opinion a cause for concern.

These days however, I look forward to my monthly performance review which is again a one-on-one meeting with a Director of the company. The frequency and consistency of these reviews mean that I know when it will happen, what key areas will be covered and how best to prepare for it. There a number of motivating aspects covered within the appraisal process, including:

- Setting goals - Defining future performance criteria
- Action planning - Providing direction to help achieve future goals
- Self-control - Placing me in charge of my own behaviour in relation to targets
- Objective feedback - Open two-way communication between both parties

Furthermore, it is tailored to my individual requirements as well as those of the business and supported by weekly catch-ups with senior team members to discuss progress and general wellbeing.

As my own experience demonstrates, and research has proven, performance reviews and appraisals can be very motivating. Basically, the process just needs to be carried out correctly and then hopefully we as employees can greet it with an open and positive attitude!