Corporate performance management training is a crucial investment for any organization seeking to improve its overall performance and drive business success. Leadership training programs are designed to equip leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage team performance effectively, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions that support long-term growth.
Too many organizations promote individual contributors into first-time manager positions and allow them to “figure leadership out on their own” via experience. As such, they fail to build muscle in their existing leadership ranks at such critical intervals. Unfortunately, this leaves newly minted managers and longer-term managers alike struggling to determine their rights and responsibilities and suffering from a lack of confidence when it comes to the “Big 3” of leadership, communication, and teambuilding. Worse, they sometimes step on legal landmines that they didn’t see coming, not for lack of intelligence but for lack of awareness and exposure. That’s where leadership training comes in. Note that much of this is incorporated in my book New Managers: Mastering the "Big 3" Principles of Leadership, Communication, and Teambuilding (HarperCollins Leadership, 2022).
What is Corporate Performance Management?
Corporate performance management (CPM) is a framework for managing an organization's performance effectively. It involves setting strategic goals and objectives, monitoring progress towards those goals, and making informed decisions based on data and analytics. CPM encompasses a wide range of activities, including performance measurement, forecasting, budgeting, and risk management. At its core, performance management is about ongoing communication and real-time feedback combined with “annual reports” (AKA performance appraisals) that capture an entire year’s contribution.
Preestablished goals give you, the manager, an opportunity to meet with your staff members and discuss their progression toward those goals in addition to their career and professional development needs. (Hint: Gen Y Millennials and Gen Z Zoomers rank “career and professional development” among their top workplace priorities, so goal setting, real-time feedback, quarterly check-ins, and annual reporting make for an excellent rhythm of feedback to keep your employees self-motivated and engaged.)
The Benefits of Corporate Performance Management Training for Business Success
Investing in corporate performance management training can provide numerous benefits for organizations. First, it can help to improve decision-making skills. By providing employees with the tools and techniques necessary to analyze data and make informed decisions, organizations can ensure that they are well-positioned to capitalize on new opportunities and navigate challenges. Focusing on agility, change management, and decision-making is a great place to start when it comes to amending your performance review template as well. Make sure your template doesn’t feel outdated or “stale.” If you’re looking for template suggestions based on your type of workforce (hourly, professional/exempt, etc.) or stage of corporate development (startup, mature company, etc.), see my book, The Performance Appraisal Tool Kit: Redesigning Your Performance Review Template to Drive Individual and Organizational Change.
Second, corporate performance management training can help to improve productivity and efficiency. By providing employees with the skills and knowledge necessary to manage performance effectively, organizations can optimize their processes and improve their overall efficiency. This can lead to reduced costs and increased profitability since everyone is "pulling the sails in the same direction." More importantly, it will help you sleep better at night. After all, you’ll want to make sure that your staff members know the policies and the legal rules of the road to ensure compliance. Further, you’ll need to ensure that they’ve been well trained in their respective areas of expertise and cross-trained to cover their peers’ roles in the case of an emergency. Training in soft skills and emotional intelligence round out the mix so that your team is well aligned and positioned to manage change and disruption while delivering high-level performance on a consistent basis.
Third, corporate performance management training can help to enhance communication and collaboration within the organization. That's because it builds people's self-confidence. When employees have a shared understanding of the organization's goals and objectives, they are better equipped to work together towards a common purpose. This can help to create a positive and productive work environment, which in turn leads to increased employee engagement and job satisfaction.
This remains a challenge, especially in the remote work world, where it’s easy for workers to lose their sense of belonging, feel alienated or isolated, or otherwise begin to work in “foxholes.” Communication is key, but it must be more purposeful, intentional, and directed. Shift responsibility to your team members for scheduling one-on-one time with you every week for touch-base meetings, hold weekly staff meetings where everyone gets to talk and contribute, design monthly “Fun Friday” gatherings to build camaraderie and stronger relationships, and meet one-on-one quarterly to review goals and career development strategies.
Customized Corporate Performance Management Training Programs
One of the key benefits of working with an experienced consultant and HR practitioner is that I can develop customized corporate performance management training programs that meet the unique needs of your organization. Customized programs are designed to address the specific challenges and opportunities facing your firm. And you’ll always have access to the content of my presentations before the workshops go live. This way, you can rest assured that the training material is consistent with your policies and past practices. You’ll likewise be invited to join me in a “presentation partnership” where you can highlight key discussion points and ensure that your managers see that everyone’s on the same page.
Customized programs can include a wide range of topics and activities, such as effective hiring, performance management, leadership communications and accountability, internal coaching, motivation and employee engagement, remote leadership, workplace ethics, and disciplinary documentation and termination. . By providing employees with a customized program covering the employee lifecycle, organizations can ensure that they are addressing the specific skills and capabilities that are most important for their success.
The Return on Investment
Investing in corporate performance management training can provide a significant return on investment for organizations. First, it can help to improve employee engagement and retention. When managers feel that their organization is invested in their growth and development, they are more likely to feel engaged and committed to the organization. This can lead to increased job satisfaction and lower turnover rates for key staff members.
Second, corporate performance management training can help improve the overall performance of the organization. By providing employees with the skills and capabilities necessary to manage performance effectively, organizations can optimize their processes and improve their overall efficiency. This greater sense of alignment can lead to increased revenue, decreased liability, and overall long-term success.
Finally, corporate performance management training can help to drive innovation and creativity within the organization. By providing employees with new skills and perspectives, organizations can create a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. This can help organizations stay ahead of the curve and adapt quickly to changing market conditions, likewise strengthening employee agility and adaptability.
Corporate performance management training is a crucial investment for any organization seeking to improve its overall performance and drive business success. By working with an experienced consultant and bestselling author, your organization can develop customized training programs that meet your unique needs and support your long-term goals for growth and success. The benefits of corporate performance management training are clear, and organizations that invest in their management teams are well-positioned for long-term success. Rely on a long-term career HR practitioner, bestselling author of 17 books, and SHRM columnist to get the most out of your training dollar investment. It makes for fun and engaging live training workshops in addition to follow-up materials that reinforce the key points discussed in training so they can be applied to your workplace in new and creative ways.
Paul Falcone is the former CHRO of Nickelodeon, a bestselling author with HarperCollins Leadership and the American Management Association, a columnist for the Society for Human Resource Management, and now a consultant offering services in the areas of keynote speaking, management training, executive coaching, and HR advisory support.
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