We all know that appraisals are an important element in the successful employers toolkit. But how can you get the most out of the meetings and your staff? If an appraisal is managed well you can improve staff motivation, production and return on investment. This is why we are giving you the Top Tips to a successful appraisal:

1. Get your Line Managers on board

If your line managers can see the importance of doing appraisals properly, have the tools and techniques to give constructive feedback and set good objectives, the attitude towards appraisals will be a positive one and they will be more productive.

2. Give Constructive Feedback

It is easy to give a good appraisal. The challenge is to have an effective discussion about an aspect of performance that isn’t going so well. Try thinking about any problems you might want to have from the perspective of ‘what would you like the individual to be doing’. In other words, turn ‘this is unacceptable’ in to ‘what I would like is ….’ You will be surprised about the difference this simple change of approach can have.

Any issues that are pointed out to the employee during the appraisal should be turned into a SMART action point to turn the issue around and make an improvement.

3. Make the Objectives SMART

Making sure objectives are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound is the starting point for setting good objectives. It enables you to avoid generic goals that don’t suit the person or the job they do.

4. Set Expectations

Explaining to the Employee exactly what you expect of them, gives them the benefit of the best understanding possible of the task in hand and ensures productivity, motivation and efficiency.

5. Follow up and Catch up

Both Line Manager and Employee should check performance against the objectives that have been set at regular intervals throughout the year. Having regular ad hoc catch up meetings allows the appraisal process to be less painful next time around and be more productive and allows the manager to ensure the objectives are being met and to offer any further guidance as necessary.

Making appraisal much more fun