This is the second in a two-part Business English Pod series on performance appraisals interviews. In the first lesson, we covered giving feedback. In this podcast, we will discuss setting goals.

To reach our dreams, it’s necessary to set goals. Without goals, there is no change, no development, no success. This is just as true for an individual as it is for an organization. That’s why, along with feedback, goal setting is a very important part of the appraisal process. So in this follow-up podcast on job appraisals, we’ll be focusing on strategies and expressions for setting goals during the appraisal interview. Much of the language we’ll be learning in this lesson is also useful in any meeting where we need to discuss and set targets.

Wendy and Derrick, Wendy’s manager, have already discussed her progress and set goals for the areas of customer satisfaction and job training. As the listening continues, they turn to talking about two important productivity measurements. Pay attention to the language Derrick uses to structure the conversation and to negotiate and agree goals with Wendy.

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Study Notes	Phrases & Practice	BEP 76 ADV – Performance Appraisals 2 – Quiz BEP 76 ADV – Performance Appraisals 2 – Gap-fill BEP 76 ADV – Performance Appraisals 2 – Dialog & Vocab BEP 76 ADV – Performance Appraisals 2 – Language 1 BEP 76 ADV – Performance Appraisals 2 – Language 2 BEP 76 ADV – Performance Appraisals 2 – Language 3 BEP 76 ADV – Performance Appraisals 2 – Flashcards

Listening Questions: BEP 76 ADV – Performance Appraisals 2: Setting Goals

1) What are the two important productivity measurements that Derrick discusses with Wendy?

The first is the number of meetings that Wendy handles per day, that is, the number of customers she helps. The second is the average amount of time she spends on each meeting.

2) How does Derrick feel about Wendy making one-off (or special) solutions for each customer?

Derrick discourages Wendy from making one-off solutions because doing so causes efficiency to go down. He would much rather she be “steady and consistent” than spend a lot of time on any particular meeting.

3) What does Derrick advise Wendy to tell a customer who has not booked enough bandwidth?

Derrick tells her to be “polite but firm.” He encourages her to give the customer an option – either rebook or hold the meeting now with less bandwidth.

Performance appraisals – sometimes called job performance evaluations or reviews – are a powerful way to develop staff’s potential. These skills are important not just for HR (Human Resources) professionals, but for any manager or supervisor who has responsibilities over other staff.

For appraisals to succeed, however, it’s important that they are conducted in a structured way. In addition, it’s important that skill and diplomacy are used to handle the two main tasks of the appraisal – giving effective feedback and setting goals.

So this is the first in a two-part Business English Podcast series that focuses on structure, skill and diplomacy in performance appraisals. In this podcast, we will deal with giving feedback. In the second, we will handle setting goals.

This episode focuses on giving effective feedback that creates a positive environment and builds trust. These feedback skills are useful not only in performance appraisals, but also in any situation that requires making critical comments to someone about their work.

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Study Notes	Phrases & Practice	BEP 75 ADV – Performance Appraisals 1 – Quiz BEP 75 ADV – Performance Appraisals 1 – Gap-fill BEP 75 ADV – Performance Appraisals 1 – Dialog & Vocabulary BEP 75 ADV – Performance Appraisals 1 – Language 1 BEP 75 ADV – Performance Appraisals 1 – Language 2 BEP 75 ADV – Performance Appraisals 1 – Language 3 BEP 75 ADV – Performance Appraisals 1 – Flashcards

Listening Questions: BEP 75 ADV – Performance Appraisals 1: Giving Feedback

1) How many meetings is Wendy handling per day at the moment?

She is handling 11 meetings per day. The original goal was eight, but she’s already up to 11.

2) What’s the main issue that Derrick wants to give Wendy feedback on?

As Wendy says herself, sometimes she “flies off the handle” a little when the pressure is heavy, that is, she loses her temper.

3) What advice does Derrick give Wendy to help her correct the problem?

Derrick says Wendy should take 10 deep breaths, try to put the situation into perspective, and ask her team leader for help.