Blog 13: Performance Management

Performance Management is the process which contributes to the effective management of inviduals and teams to achieve high levels of organisational performance. (Armstrong and Baron,1998). The university measures my performance by providing assignements that are then marked in percentages. These assignements allow the university to see the skills I have when it comes to written work. These skills are normally marked in different categories which include knowledge and content,analysis, evaluation, grammar and references. When you attend university, there are many expectations you have as to how your life will change. Moving out of home, going to a new place, meeting new people and have a different work load. A personal tutor is assigned to each student when they first go to university, and it is this personal tutor that is there to perform the university's equivalent to an appraisal.
There are also timet tests which are given and they are also marked in the same categories as the assignement but not all of them. Hence, the results received from both these assignements and tests will allow the university to measure performance on whether students are managing well with their studies. Students are then informed about their results from the feedback they receive form tutors or lectures. During this time the feedback will allow students to be made aware of their strenghs and weaknesses. This means that if the student is not doing well they could be advised on how to get assistance to improve their work. This is very effective as students can be made aware of these problems within time before it has a negative impact on their work .


The skills required for an effective mentor are that they should have good knowledge and experience. This means that hey should know about the subject they will be mentoring and also have experience because they will be able to deal with any challenges that are likely to occur. An effective mentor should also have people skills this is because they will be able to understand the person they are mentoring and understand certain characteristics different people have. Furthermore, a mentor should be able to identify weaknesses and be able to give honest opinions. This is because if they can identify weaknesses they are then able to help their mentee to work on improving such weaknesses. This then allows an honest opinion to be given to the mentee and alow any questions to be asked. A mentor should also have good communication skills because it allows the mentor and  mentee to understand each other.

Ambition, is required from both the mentor and mentee. An ambition for moving forward and increasing efficiency of both their job roles. Being a good listener, understanding, vocal, cheerful, and being optimistic are all other character traits which are needed to be a mentor. Indeed, when I was playing my last year of rugby , I've had this trainer who was really autoritary and pushed me further and further, every time when he could pushed me , he did it . Therefore, I struggled really hard , but he was learning me basics things about rugby but also about life and mostly about discipline, listening and understanding. Furthermore,  he kept motivated me by encouraging me to always go further, even though at first it was really hard to understand what he really wanted from me but I finally realised when I reached a state of mind that I understood what  he wanted to teach me and kept pushing me all time.


Overall, having a mentor while you are growing up is mandatory as he will always show you the right path , ethics, and will continually evaluate in order for you to develop as a person with multiple skills as discipline, listening and understanding.





References :

Performance Management. Available from: http://www.cipd.co.uk/hr-resources/factsheets/performance-management-overview.aspx [Accessed 8/05/12]

Mentor Overview . Available from : http://osakabentures.com/2011/04/want-an-it-mentor/ [Accessed 8/05/12]

Mullins, L.J (2002). Management and Organisational Behaviour. 6th ed. Essex : Financial Times Pitman Publishing Imprint.