W6D1 Granth 652

Evaluating Results and Benefits

Week #6 Lecture 1

The Impact of Evaluation

This week we will continue our discussion pertaining to the importance of evaluation and the role it plays within the workplace. With the growing amount of competition in both the workplace and industry, there is a growing need to improve competitive standing to ensure growth. Because of this, it is critical that employees consistently work to improve their performance. Though, just because this is a stated need does not mean that everyone will be on board. When management conducts performance evaluation in an effective manner, they can optimize productivity in the workplace to align with the organization's strategy. This often will result in an effective evaluation that may work for the benefit of both the employee and the organization. A successful manager knows and understands that a performance evaluation is effective when improvement among employees is seen after the evaluation has been conducted. A manager should clearly communicate the expectations of the employees throughout the evaluation process to ensure that everyone is aware of the goals and expectations for the workplace. Performance expectations should be specific so that there is little room for doubt on the part of the employee. Both strengths and weaknesses should be discussed during the evaluation to ensure that the employee understands where they need to improve and where they are making a significant difference for the organization. Including positive reinforcement and choosing positive strengths to provide to the employee will be beneficial to foster a strong workplace morale. In addition, a manager should be specific as to what improvement expectations might be to help motivate the employee in making the necessary changes. Let’s discuss job satisfaction for a moment because I am positive that the one goal you expect when taking a job is that you will be happy there. This is a good attitude to start with, and if all goes according to plan, this should be your attitude moving forward. There is nothing better in the workplace than a satisfied employee. Now, how does job satisfaction occur within the workplace? For starters, strong retention and job loyalty is important. With the growing of our economy and businesses competing all over, retaining employees can be a challenge for any workplace. There is competition and who offers the most is often who wins the most.

However, that does not mean that the company will retain those employees they recruit. The goal is to create realistic expectations from start to finish. When creating a workplace environment, it is important to consider what will keep your employees comfortable. Some workplaces have implemented a gym, others have revised their cafeteria options to provide delicious and healthy food options. Some workplaces even go as far as adding game rooms and exciting campuses (i.e. Google and Microsoft). Though, once you have all of the benefits established, now it is time to keep the employees moving. Ultimately, despite all of the perks of a job, an employee who believes they can grow within the organization is likely to show loyalty to the company. Therefore, the use of evaluations will prove useful in helping an employee to understand what they need to do in order to scale the corporate ladder.

This brings us to our next discussion point - how do you move up the ladder? When conducting a performance evaluation, it is important that a trained manager conducts the evaluation. The importance of having a skilled manager conduct these interviews is the idea that they know how to work with various personalities and can help to establish goals through the use of the evaluation. Understanding what it takes to move forward and setting realistic goals in order to do this will create a motivated employee in both the short and long-term setting. Remember that the key word is “realistic.” We all want to soar to the top a week into our new career, however, the reality is that it will take work and dedication. Moving up also takes patience and support. Understanding what is expected and how the goals can be met will create a positive work environment.  Finally, be sure to consider training within the workplace. I know some of you silently (or maybe not so silently) just sighed in disgust over the thought of training. I know that I have found myself in training sessions that felt like a waste of time. However, I have also been in training sessions that have motivated me towards additional success. As a manager, the goal is to develop a training program that is going to be effective for your workplace. Just because a training program worked well for one company does not mean that it will work for yours. Research what is needed in terms of training within your workplace, consider the types of employees you have, and determine the best methods for training. Once the training has been conducted, follow up! This is an important step that is often forgotten. Take the time to discuss the training with your employees and follow up with them to ensure that what was learned is properly being applied to the workplace. Keep following up over time, make changes, and continue to teach. By doing this, you will ensure that the learning was not forgotten and is truly being put to use to improve the workplace overall.  Evaluation is critical to the success of both the employee and the organization. This is a tool that needs to be taken seriously and used often. Take the time to establish the evaluation tools that are best suited for your workplace. You will be glad you did.