Recommend how to improve performance against given objectives

Performance against given objectives can be improved through many different ways; in OAB, loans department I use and recommend using different ways such as the following ones:

Setting goals effectively

Goals are very important for ensuring and improving the good performance of the team as they have to be SMART, clear and objective. Goals of the team in OAB, loans department are set carefully as the business objectives are the base for them as they are aligning with the bank's objectives. They are deeply discussed with all members of the team, negotiated and any vague thing about them is discussed and realized. Goals are understandable and there are agreed methods and techniques for reaching them. Goals of the team represent each individual in the team, the leader and the whole organization.  

Performance planning

Goals of the team are agreed on and then they are used as a base for planning for the team's performance as an action plan is set and discussed with the team members in order to be followed for achieving the goals. Jobs and tasks are well described and explained through deep discussions and communications. Expectations don't go so far away from reality and are clarified for all employees. A performance planning document is used for ensuring a time plan and a schedule to be followed. Critical conversations are held within the team members and any suggestions are taken into consideration.

Using performance reviews

Performance appraisal and performance reviews are very important parts of the performance management process so I'm very keen on using them so as to motivate employees and encourage them improve their performance. These reviews can support employees and inform them regularly about methods for compensation and training programs they can complete to improve performance. They also can guide employees towards the weaknesses and strengths they have in order to strengthen the weaknesses and making full use of the strengths. They can help the employees find ways to add skills and develop their abilities and have better career opportunities. They are very important to be use legally and support decisions. 

Having varied sources for gathering information

I don't build my evaluation for my team members' performance on limited sources but I tend to have diversity of sources in order to have accurate evaluation that helps me in improving the performance of employees within my team. Such sources can include the employees themselves, clients of the bank. My observation reports, other department opinions and suppliers' reports. This is aligning with the objectives set at first and goals of the team.

Stressing on documentation

Documentation is very important in improving performance of the team because when all actions are documented; this leads to having enough and accurate records where everything about each member in the team is recorded and dated. This can help in the evaluation process for performance of the employee and can be a good feedback that is documented legally which helps in writing performance reviews and making relevant decisions. Documentation in the bank is done regularly for all activities such as meetings, discussions and others using different methods. (Francis and Woodcock, 2008)