Armstrong and Baron (2004) quoted and defined performance management to be “A process which contributes to the effective management of individuals and teams in order to achieve high levels of organisational performance. As such, it establishes shared understanding about what is to be achieved and approach to leading and developing people which will ensure that it is achieved”. This means that organisations observe how their employees are performing and this sets clear expectations of what needs to be achieved. Employees perform will reflect on whether they deserve a raise in their salary or a bonus. This will also allow employers to reflect on personal development and it will enable recognition and reward.
One of the methods that organisation use to manage employees perform is Appraisals. Appraisals are usually used to record an assessment of an employee’s performance and how they have developed in the company. Fletcher, C (1997). This gives the employer and the employee the opportunity to reflect on what’s been achieved and whether their targets and objectives have been achieved.
As I do not work, I interviewed my friend and asked how her company, Aldo’s, uses appraisals. She said that her company use appraisal every 3 months and they do this as her manager sits her down in their meeting room and has a one on one session with her. The appraisal is both written and verbal. In this session, the manager goes through her progress in the company, review her targets and aims that where set in the beginning of the month and if they have been achieved. They also analyse her overall performance and they do this by filling in a form rating her performance from 1 to 5, 5 being the highest.
On the performance feedback she got told that she is doing quiet well has majority of the rating were between 3-5. From the feedback they tell her how she can improve and they advised her to set herself a target to serve more customers to receive a reward. At the end of the appraisal, the employer and the employee sign the documents to show that an appraisal took place and reflection on her performance was done so they can wait few months to do another appraisal to assess the improvements.
She says that the appraisal was effective as she was told how well she is doing. This boosts up her confident and allowed her to carry on doing well in the company. She also commented and said that being told how to improve her performance also helped as this gave her an idea how to do better and become a better employee.
The skills that are required to be an effective mentor are:
- Listening skills as an effective mentor need to be able to listen and understand any issues that have been raised by their learners and they will need to advise them how to overcome the problem.
- Communication skills as it is important fir the mentors to be able to communicate with their learners. If a mentor does not have good communication skill, the learner will not be able to understand them.
- Being able to solve problems. This is important as this can help the learners learn how to fix and overcome certain problems that may have occurred.
- Knowledge skills. This is important to be an effective mentor as the mentor must know what they are teaching the learners.
It is important for mentors have these skills as this will make them better at their job and this will benefit them as they can help other people.
The person who has been a mentor to me and has affected my life is my Father. I have always looked up to my him as his very kind hearted and always does things for people. His characteristics influence me and this made me want to be more like him. He has taken me down the right path and taught me the right and wrongs in life for example, never to speak badly about someone and always respect people to gain respect. He has always taught me that education is the best way forward. In order to achieve a decent life, having a good education will lead us in having good jobs which means better future for the family. His encouragement to my education has allowed me to come university and take my education further. My dad tries his best to provide for the family and he works really hard to do this. His characteristics have always had a positive affect in my life.
In conclusion, I have enjoyed this topic as I have got a new understanding about how organisations manage their staff performance and how other people in your life can affect your life and influence the way you behave. This topic has also made me aware as now I know what to expect when I get a job after completing my Business Management degree.
Reference:
- Mullins, L J. ( 2005) Management And Organisational Behaviour. 7th Ed. Pearsons Education Limited: Essex
- Flecther, C. (1997) Apprailsal. 2nd Ed. Short Run Press: Exeter
Times Literary Supplement (2008) Entrepreneurs: A Mentor Can Tune Your Skills [Online]. Avaliable From: http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/entrepreneur/article3778514.ece [ Accessed 10 May 2011]
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