Performance Management

One of the greatest keys to an organization's success is its ability to manage the output of individual and teamwork efforts to achieve tremendous results. The ability to do this is predicated on understanding human motivation as well as utilizing a process to clearly determine and measure achievements relative to set goals. It is also extremely important from an employment law standpoint to maintain a performance management system which is perceived to be clearly communicated and fairly administered. An inadequate performance review process is often the basis for discrimination judgments against the company.

FuturesQuest is a leader in innovative methods of measuring and improving performance. Opportunities to coach and learn exist in your organization every day. We believe that recognizing and utilizing these moments continuously are the key to rapid performance improvements.

Advisors have expertise in developing performance review processes and performance plans which clearly link each employee's efforts directly to the company's objectives and measure that performance for improvement and rewards. We develop and implement a process tailored to your company that is individually motivating, challenging, easy to administer, linked to the business objectives, and can protect you from costly employment litigation. An inherent part of our process is an intent to motivate employees to perform at their highest ability and be excited to learn and grow.

The Performance Management Process includes:

• Tailored position descriptions which outline the expectations and requirements for a specific job plus requirements to move to the next level
• Individual performance plans with specific performance goals, the timeframe for accomplishing them, a rating scale and criteria for rewards and promotion
• A performance review process which is administered to all employees equally and occurs with a predetermined frequency, at least annually
• Training for all managers who are responsible for conducting the performance reviews of other employees
• Use of evaluation tools and forms to collect employee performance feedback

FuturesQuest will assist you with any or all aspects of your performance management process, including developing a tailored process for your organization's needs, updating an existing process, providing feedback on the adequacy of your current system or providing training to your management in effectively motivating employees, providing specific feedback and managing their performance. We will create excitement in the organization by coaching your executives to conduct a "Kick-Off" event highlighting the benefits to your employees of the renewed emphasis on performance management.

The Discipline and Termination Process

Directing and supporting performance improvement is one of a manager's most important responsibilities and yet is the one that they are least equipped or like to do. Developing a fair discipline and termination process is critical to your company's success and to mitigate legal risk. Managers must be trained in the steps of this process, how to use the tools such as "warnings" and must understand their role in administering the process fairly without exception. A FuturesQuest Advisor can guide you in developing a legally compliant process, training your management to use it and communicating the guidelines for performance and the discipline and termination process to all employees. Downsizing or layoffs are usually initiated to save costs and yet typically result in much greater expense than the anticipated savings! This poor result has to do with four things:

• Planning
• Communication
• Selection of employees to be terminated
• Termination Process

Workforce Reduction is usually thought of as an experience that must inevitably be negative and therefore done as swiftly and secretively as possible to minimize the fallout. We have all heard of "pink slips" distributed on a Friday and people being escorted by security from their desks and jobs forever with a few minutes notice. This way of downsizing is psychologically destructive and can result in workplace violence at worst and demoralization of the remaining employees at best (everyone knows they could be next!) The culture automatically becomes one of fear, negative communications, higher health claims and decreased productivity. Who wants to work in that environment?

They say it can't be done...

There is a solution to the standard negative process of layoffs - "Downsizing, How To Do It Right." With an average of a week's notice, FuturesQuest has successfully managed downsizing events that creatively MAXIMIZE employee involvement and communication. Empowerment from being part of the process results in perceived fairness and higher employee morale. Our efforts have typically resulted in understanding and goodwill on the part of departed employees and a rejuvination of energy and focus of the remaining workforce with an absence of uncertainty and fear!