Recognizing Employee Accomplishments with Performance Management Software (Guest Blog)

Countless research studies have been conducted on the importance of recognition of talented employees across multiple sectors of business. The data compiled from the world’s largest companies, small businesses, and everything in between highlights the fact that employees are far more likely to be engaged in the work they do when they receive recognition for a job well done. Moreover, employee recognition done correctly has a clear impact on performance management over time, as valued workers have a tendency to give their best to an employer each day. Despite these truths, employee recognition is not always an easy task for HR departments and managers to implement in practice.

Performance management software has the potential to improve recognition efforts among employers by highlighting employee accomplishments in real-time. Companies have the ability to seamlessly deliver the recognition employees deserve and want with performance management software, setting the stage for a more profitable and productive workforce. Here’s how.

Simple but Integrated Communication

The most apparent way of increasing employee recognition efforts through performance management software is the existence of simplified, continuous communication tools. Performance management software allows both managers and peers to recognize employees for a job well done, anywhere and anytime within the system. This immediate recognition reinforces the belief that the company is appreciative of its employees, and it encourages more of the same positive behavior among others in the workforce.

Real-time communication of recognition not only helps in maintaining continuous, positive messaging between employees, management, and peers, but it also can be tracked within a performance management software system for future use.

Connecting Accomplishment to Career Development

When recognition is housed within a performance management software, managers have a far easier time revisiting the accomplishments of specific employees and relating those back to career development goals. Many employees cite a lack of engagement in their work because they feel as though the company does not offer enough training and development opportunities, or career pathways to help determine what skills should be in focus. However, performance management software that stores and subsequently links accomplishments with these employee-led objectives can make a significant difference in progressing toward career goals over time.

A Resource for Reviews

One-off recognition moments for employee accomplishments are often lost in the rush of other business activities for many managers. The addition of performance management software and its more streamlined method of capturing recognition gives managers reminders of accomplishments when it comes time for a performance review. Employees are likely to be more engaged in the review process when these positive notes are mentioned which leads to a greater probability of more focused, motivated work in the future.

Proactive Succession Planning

Performance management software also gives employers a way to recognize employee accomplishments through promotions and key job position placements. Succession planning for employees is becoming a more crucial component of retaining top talent and recruiting highly-qualified individuals to a specific organization. Utilizing the connected features of performance management software makes this often daunting process far easier, as it links noted accomplishments with potential promotions proactively. Performance management software also gives companies a way to quickly share the information with the entire team which continues the cycle of recognition and increased engagement.

Performance management software is a helpful tool for employers, managers, and employees, particularly in the realm of offering recognition. The benefits of immediate acknowledgment of successes on the job, the ability to retrieve accomplishments for review purposes, and the proactive nature of the technology in succession planning all come together to create a highly engaged, appreciated workforce.

Author’s Bio:

Linda is the Founder and CEO of TalentGuard, a leading global talent management software company. Inventive and driven, she is known throughout the industry for disrupting HR technology and is the inventor of the first commercially available career pathing software solution designed to optimize employee engagement and retention.Prior to TalentGuard, Linda was a key executive at pcOrder, where she helped to transform an early stage start-up into a leading NASDAQ-listed public corporation. She also held executive roles at other start-ups and Fortune 100 companies. When she isn’t immersed in entrepreneurship, Linda enjoys being in the great outdoors, hiking, running marathons, and singing karaoke. She is an advocate of women’s leadership and empowerment and has led various prominent charities, including the Young Women’s Alliance and American Cancer Society. Linda has two amazing sons and is married to her best friend, Frank.