Make This a BETTER YEAR –

Our business world is changing fast. It may never be the same again but business is still all about performance, productivity and accountability. 

        All activities should be evaluated and subjected to questioning about their costs and benefits.

        People should have the time to think about the relevance of all events and be given the time and encouragement to submit their honest views and feedback.

        Most people want to contribute and they will also like to know their opinions have been heard and considered.

A handful of tips to help improve your work place activities

* Ask simple questions

        After an event or an activity, ask, “How can we do better next time?” ; “What changes would you recommend?”; “What actions should we take?”

* Was it worth the effort?

        Calculate the costs, the results and the returns to see if the activity was worthwhile, for example after a training programme. What were the real benefits?

* Timing is important

        Decide on the best time to carry out an evaluation.  If people have other things on their minds, such as transport difficulties, or they are worried about work or family pressures, their answers could be hasty and not given the time and consideration they deserve . 

        Allow time for people to think about the results of an event but make sure you receive their response. 

* Keep evaluations relaxed and friendly

        Explain that evaluations are necessary to see where improvements can be made.            

        Don’t make an appraisal an inquisition. Keep it pleasant.

* Be positive

        When reporting the results of an appraisal. start and end on a positive note.

        Discuss progress made and the successes achieved. 

        You can improve your business by asking three simple questions.  “What do we do right? What do we do wrong? How can we improve?”

– Geoffrey Moss  (mossassociates.co.nz)

“This year focus on making things better – not bitter. Keep asking yourself, “How could we have done better?”

SOURCE: “Training Secrets. Helping adults learn” 190p., Moss Associates. Ltd, New Zealand and Cengage Learning Asia, Singapore. Also available as an e-book from Amazon.com. Learn 49 ways to train and how to assess and improve your own training skills.

        For those in need our book “NO JOB! WHAT NOW?” is available FREE from our website