Unit 09 Handout 1

Unit 09: Manage and improve own performance in a

business environment
Outcome 4 Handout 1: Evaluate and improve own performance

It is important to appreciate that you should always be continuously developing –

both to improve and expand your skills and to improve your prospects of promotion.

Evaluation
In a bid to improve your performance, you
should constantly evaluate the jobs you
complete. This means that you critically look at
how the job went and identify and analyse any
problems that came up. Any tasks that you
found difficult or challenging should be
analysed to identify factors that would have
made them easier, and once identified, steps
taken to improve or eradicate them for the
future. Tasks that went well should also be
analysed to identify the factors that contributed
to the success. This type of self-evaluation is
informal; a more formal evaluation is usually
carried out by the organisation and is known as
an appraisal/review.

In an appraisal, the skills and performance of each individual are assessed against
the standards required by the job and feedback given to the individual concerned. An
important aspect of this process is that you realistically and honestly self-assess
before the interview, ie you consider how you think you have performed in order to
allow a balanced discussion to ensure your development needs and concerns are
discussed.

Self-assessment is a process whereby you consider the following:

 What you are good at – what are your strengths and how can you prove this
 What do you feel you need to improve – what area do you need to develop,
why do you feel the area concerned needs to be improved, how can you
improve your performance in that area and what assistance do you need
 What future development would you like to have – what experience or skills
do you feel you need to have to progress in future.

Another form of self-assessment is to carry out a SWOT analysis on yourself.

Although principally a business tool, this form of self-assessment is a simple method
of gathering and analysing facts about yourself.

A SWOT analysis is an acronym for:

 Strengths
 Weaknesses
 Opportunities
 Threats.

By using a SWOT analysis you can consider and list the areas you know you perform
well in, while also look at the areas that still need development. Don’t be worried
about your weaknesses – by listing and discussing them, you may find that some are
areas for development but others are less important and more than made up for by

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 Unit 09 Handout 1

your strengths. You may even find that it is more important to further develop a
strength than a particular area of weakness. In using a SWOT analysis you will also
be able to consider the opportunities that may be available to you, eg possible
promotion, and to consider threats, eg possible changes within the company; new
processes requiring certain specific skills, allowing you to consider how you can
prepare for them.

By getting into the habit of reflecting on the way you carry out tasks, you will learn
where your particular strengths lie and may be able to focus your career path
accordingly. By evaluating and looking for improved ways of working, you will
become a more efficient and motivated employee.

Feedback is also a useful way of gaining information about performance. It can be

positive or negative, and unfortunately when we receive negative feedback we tend
to concentrate on that and forget the positive. However, both assist us in our
development and personal growth. Negative feedback should not be seen as
criticism but as pointing out areas for development. Feedback can be formal or
informal; you may encourage informal feedback from colleagues by asking for their
opinion on specific tasks you have handled. Formal feedback is likely to come in the
form of a performance review or annual appraisal.

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