Performance Management

The performance management process is more than just an annual performance review. It is a continuous process of setting objectives, assessing progress and providing on-going coaching and feedback to ensure that employees are meeting their objectives and career goals.

At Joubert & Associates, we believe that the focus of performance management should not be on transactional aspects only. It is our view that the dynamics of the relationships, particularly between managers and employees, should be addressed. It is, indeed, only within a relationship of trust that managers (as leaders of people) are able to guide staff, through coaching and mentoring, to improved performance.

The relationship between the performance of individual employees and remuneration is a complex matter. Performance management is an attempt to provide feedback to staff on their performance, to establish a link between their individual career expectations and the employer’s business plan and to reward them according to their contribution. If a positive climate and conditions for motivation are created, staff members are encouraged to improve performance.

The model advocated by Joubert and Associates includes an interrelated set of management tools that are aimed at managing people, results and remuneration. The process is schematically presented as follows:

Preferably, formal performance reviews should be conducted quarterly (two formal and two informal follow-up discussions). Joubert & Associates has two performance review instruments available from which clients can choose according to their specific needs:

The first tool, called Performance Appraisal has a quantitative approach. This instrument assesses employee performance on an evaluation scale and culminates in a weighted performance score.

The second tool, referred to as a Performance Discussion, has a qualitative approach. This instrument assesses employee performance, but without a numerical scale, and there is thus no total score calculated at the end of the discussion. This tool was designed to focus on action plans to improve performance (personal development and strategic objectives) rather than the ratings itself.

Joubert & Associates has successfully implemented performance management systems at many of our client organisations. Call us today if you need any assistance in this regard.