Methods to Evaluate Performance

This article discusses the various methods, tools, and techniques used to evaluate performance in organizations. It covers topics such as performance appraisals, 360-degree feedback, key performance indicators (KPIs), and more. By understanding these evaluation methods, managers can effectively measure and assess employee performance to drive improvement and achieve organizational goals.

BSBMGT608
Manage Innovation and
Continuous Improvement

Question 1
a) Relationship between continuous improvement, innovation and organisational learning
Organisational learning facilitates gaining an insight into the behaviour of individuals and
groups within an organisation. Continuous improvement seeks to enhance the procedures and
offerings of company to meet the needs and demands of customers prevailing at market place.
Further, innovation is referred to as the incorporation of something new within current product or
service of entity to enable a firm to enhance its competitive edge at market place. Whenever an
entity intends to leverage organisational learning for enabling continuous improvement of
products and processes, it results in introduction of innovation within the organisation. Through
this, the firm is able to appeal to people prevailing at market place, thereby meeting their
demands in an effective manner.
b) Process for baking a cake along with identification of scope for improvement
For cake baking, preheat the oven for a time period of 10 minutes. The dry ingredients
are stirred. It is then that butter and sugar are mixed together. Egg is added to this mixture.
Further, dry and wet ingredients are alternatively added to the mixture. This batter is then poured
into a pan and put into the oven for the purpose of baking. Improvements can be made in this
procedure in the sense that time can be saved by enabling multitasking.
Question 2
Supply chain for the production of a “Mars chocolate”
When cocoa beans reach the factory, there are processed within cocoa products for
utilisation within production of chocolates. The happenings during the procedure of processing
place a direct impact over the flavour as well as quality of resultant Mars Chocolate. Further, the
texture as well as taste of Mars Chocolate is in accordance with the recipe decided upon by the
organisation. Mars put to use variety of proportion of cocoa liquor, cocoa butter and other
ingredient like sugar and milk to keep Mars Chocolate consistent with the brand image.
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Question 3
a) Type of measure for: “To increase market share for photocopy paper from 20% to 30% by
March 2019”
The above mentioned objective pertains to outcome measure. This is a type of measure
which quantifies the actual performance as well as examines the success of procedures. This
serves as an effective way for gauging the growth of entity.
b) Analysis tool to identify the cause of a problem and its application to analyse the problem and
identify a solution
The problem that is taken into consideration is Caffeine Addiction. The cause of this
issue is analysed with the help of an effective tool named Cause and Effect Tool. This helps in
identification of cause behind a specific effect. The same is described for the concerned problem
as follows:-
Effects:
 Sensation of being more awake
 Heart beating fast
 Rise in body temperature
 Digestive system resulting into production of excessive acid
Cause:
 Heart palpitations
 Nausea
 Vomiting
 Insomnia
Application of tool for problem analysis:
 Heart beats
 Not getting adequate sleep in the night
 Not remain fresh and active
 Tiresome
Identification of solution:
 Taking warm milk prior to sleeping
 Taking adequate rest
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 Drinking adequate water throughout the day
Question 4
SWOT analysis in academic life
I am studying management presently with a view to enhance my existent knowledge
base, skills and proficiency within the subject matter. In this regard, it is important for me to to
constantly analyse my knowledge and skills in order to identify any gap underlying within it.
This will provide assistance to me in gaining an insight into my shortcomings so that these can
be dealt with in a timely manner. In this regard, SWOT analysis serves as an effective tool with
the help of which I can determine my strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats during the
tenure of completion of my study. Thus, SWOT analysis of my personality is presented as
follows:-
Strength Weaknesses
 I have effective inter personal skills with
the help of which I can interact with other
students in an effectual manner.
 I am a highly motivated individual who is
eager to perform new projects and
assessments at rapid intervals of time.
 I excel in collaborative working owing to
which I have won many team challenges.
 I have strong leadership skills through
which I have supervised my group a
number of times during assessments.
 I lack time management skills owing
to which I sometimes am not able to
complete the assignments on time.
 I lack critical thinking skills.
Opportunities Threat
 I have the ability to enhance my time
management and critical thinking skills by
taking guidance from my tutor.
 I do not have presentation skills
owing to which I may face threat
during the course of completion of
study.
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Question 5
Organisation’s performance improvement strategies and relationship between innovation &
competitive advantage
There are several ways by which staff can be acquainted with the organisational
performance improvement strategies. Some of these are discussed below:-
Training and development:
Training is essential to be imparted to employees so that they can knowledge of the skills,
knowledge and proficiency that are essential to be held by them at all points of time. With the
help of such sessions, employees are able to develop their existent skill set to make it aligned
with the company requirements.
Coaching and Mentoring:
Coaching can be referred to as an interactive procedure by way of which manager as well
as supervisor intends to execute performance issue resolution or development of capacity of
employees. Capacity development takes place through facilitation of collaboration and is usually
determined to be dependent upon personal and technical support.
Relationship between innovation and competitive advantage
In the modern era, each company intends to leverage innovation with a view to meet the
never ending needs and demands of customers. With this, a firm is able to attain competitive
advantage at market place. Thus innovation is strongly associated with competitive advantage.
Question 6
Characteristics of learning organisation and strategies that promote organisational learning
A learning organisation can be referred to as an enterprise which is keen on facilitating
development of a learning atmosphere for workforce, such that constant transformation can take
place within its confines. This concept was introduced by Peter Senge together with his
colleagues. There are various characteristics of a learning organisation that distinguishes it from
other traditional form of entities. These characteristics are identified to be Systems thinking,
Personal mastery, Mental models, Building shared vision and Team learning.
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Systems thinking: This is focussed upon creation of a collaborative working atmosphere
wherein the individual efforts of all the employees are integrated to achieve organisational goals
as well as objectives in a timely manner.
Personal mastery: Individuals should have a mindset which realises the significance of
continual growth and development.
Mental models: Corporate learners should execute evaluation of their current cognitions
by way of self reflection. Also, they should be duly encouraged to make use of unique theories as
well as approaches.
Building shared vision: An enterprise which encompasses forward thinking leaders to
exhibit exemplary performance for other individuals, is often termed as learning organisation.
Team learning: A learning organisation is keen on creating collaborative learning
atmosphere whereby every individual has knowledge of objectives as well as targetted outcomes.
(Source: Characteristics of Learning Organisation, 2020)
Various strategies for promoting organisational learning within the company are listed as
follows:-
 Boosting the existent capacity of employees as well as corporation
 Infixing learning within the routine business practice
 Facilitating participation of all the stakeholder groups
Question 7
a) To obtain assistance in quantifying benefits, who might you contact in an organisation? (150)
It is important for an organisation to quantify the benefits in order to inflate its growth and
development opportunities. In this regard, for quantification of benefits, one must contact
Financial Advisor within the confines of an entity. This will provide assistance in attainment of
financial information so as to enhance the benefits in terms of revenues and profits.
b) Research into free trials of consumer products. Consider how software and beauty product
companies offer free trials to consumers. Why do they offer free trials?
Beauty product and software companies provide free trials to customers in a hope to establish
good image of the brand in front of the people. This is a way by which they test the reaction of
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people towards the offerings rendered by the organisation at the market place. Customers are
most likely to try out a merchandise or service in case they are provided with it for free. In an
instance whereby the customers get a positive experience from the consumption of offerings,
they would be likely to purchase that product again. It is often considered by companies as a
marketing principle that gaining the attention of a new customer is tougher than sustaining that
of an existing customer. Looking upon this, software and beauty product organisations leverage
the provision of free trials or samples to clientele so that they can build networking with new
prospects that have not yet connected with the brand. The cost of giving free samples get covered
by the increment in sales that takes place owing to the good experience derived by customers as
a result of its consumption. So, overall, the process of offerings free trials works for those
companies which possess confidence in their products in terms of quality and resultant
consumption experience.
c) Suggestions to manager to increase tolerance of risk along with acceptance of failure within
innovative organisations
It is usually seen that failure is the prerequisite to innovation, in the sense that, an
organisation cannot come up with an innovative product or procedure in case it is not intending
to assume risk and gain learning from subsequent mistakes. Innovative organisations seek to
come up innovations at rapid intervals of time with a view to cater to the needs and wants of
customers present at market place. In this regard, it is suggested to managers that they should
possess emotional intelligence as well as risk tolerant behaviour so that they can deal with any
kind of failures and not exhibit anger or frustration over the employees. Further, it is advised that
they should take initiatives to create an atmosphere or culture whereby innovation is given prime
importance. In this regard, it is important for the manager to direct the behavioural pattern and
performance of each of the employees pertaining to the enterprise towards incorporation of
innovation within the products, services or processes. This will provide aid in enhancing the
extent of risk tolerance together with acceptance of failure within the premises of corporation.
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Question 8
Documentation to obtain approval to proceed with project of new product development (150
word)
An approval form is required to be submitted and approved to proceed with the project of
developing a new product for the company.
Question 9
a) Common methods to communicate and promote the benefits of change and continuous
improvements
Communication is regarded to be an essential aspect for each and every organisation
operating as a part of the economy. Whenever a change is introduced within the confines of an
entity, it is important that the benefits of change are communicated well within the premise. This
helps in ensuring that the right benefits are attained from the implementation of change within
the company. In this relation, it is identified that there are several ways with the usage of which
the benefits of change as well as continuous improvements can be widely communicated within
the confines of a company. In this regard, one of the most prominent methods to facilitate
communication is by way of formal mails. Yet another way is by conducting formal or informal
meetings. Another way of setting communication within a company is by doing fax.
b) Tools and techniques to identify the effect of change
It is essential for organisations to identify the consequences of change within the
premises of company. In this regard, is is recognised that there are several tools and techniques
which are used to determine the effects of change. These are listed as follows:-
 Flowchart / Process Map
 ADKAR Analysis
 Culture Mapping
 Force Field Analysis
 Stakeholder Analysis
 Kotter's 8 Step Change Model
 Lewin's Change Management Model
 Gantt Chart
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c) Legislation, initiatives, programs, policies and work practices you should consider to ensure
change meets sustainability requirements
It is essential that a change management model is applied in order to ensure that a change
meets the sustainability requirements. Some of the effective examples of change management
models that can hereby be applied can be Kotter's 8 Step Change management model, Lewin's
Change Management Model, McKinsey Change model and many more.
Question 10
GROW Model to deal with business situation
GROW Model Questions to Ask
Goal What is your goal associated with issue of non timely completion of work?
Reality How do you feel about your current situation?
Options Whose help would you need to accomplish the goals on time?
Will Which options will you choose to act on to improve your performance?
Question 11
a) Strategies enable you to review your own work performance
Setting milestones at workplace helps me more to review the work performance at
regular level.
b) Workplace activities or learning options that enable you to improve your performance
Engaging more in multi-task operations especially in group activities, aid me more to
enhance skills and improve performance.
c) If your employee was to pay or is paying for your program, how would you:-
Determine the benefits of your study
The benefits can be determined on the basis of skills i.e. if it increase knowledge then it
will help more in increasing performance.
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Effectively communicate the results to the appropriate people in your organisation
Similarly, for effectively communicate the results, I will prefer to acknowledging team
mates about how my knowledge skills are enhanced.
d) What do you think triggers are a critical element of a contingency plan?
If triggering kind of condition occurs then through contingency plan, risk mitigation
process can be implemented immediately.
Question 12
Methods, tools and techniques used to evaluate continuous improvement system and processes at
CIBT
CIBT is one of the leading global providers of visa services and immigration for
corporations and individuals. It has operated business over 60 offices within 27 nations, as well
as a primary service provider of more than 500 companies of Fortune. It mainly focuses on
becoming the market leader in travel and visa services. Therefore, for attainment of this goal,
management of respective firm especially concerned on enhancing and improving the
performance of employees. For this purpose, to evaluate continuous improvement system and
process, a number of methods have been used by management of CIBT. It includes PDCA Cycle
(Plan – Do – Check – Act), which refers to one of the best continuous improvement techniques,
that helps in identifying the way of improving organisational performance. Under this process,
four major steps have been implemented as – Plan which helps in determining the opportunity of
enhancing productivity of workplace and make plan accordingly for implementing changes.
Similarly, second step is Do – which is used for implementing changes as per defined
opportunity successively within organisation, by developing strategies for reducing the chance of
employee resistivity. Along with this, third stage includes Check – which is used for analysing
results of change and determining if any modification will make a difference or not. Afterwards,
the last step is Act- where by analysing that change will definitely enhance productivity of
workplace and increase chance of company to become market leader, actions will be taken for
implementing same.
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Question 13
a) Organisation’s environmental sustainability practices along with key programs or initiatives
To earn the market leader position within travel industry, CIBT has made a number of
investments in CSR activities, which helps in developing the sustainable image of business. This
firm mainly believe in sustainable development and ecological awareness therefore, to promote
CSR, it runs programs “Giving back to community”. For this purpose, it has become sponsors of
various sports club for making charity in development of society.
b) Communication strategies to ensure successful transition and minimize resistance to change
This firm has believed to create openness in communication, for developing transparency
at workplace. Therefore, include the participation of all employees and stakeholders within
decision making process, aid management to ensure successful transition as well as minimise
resistivity of them to accept change, for enhancing workplace productivity.
c) Communication of costs and benefits of initiative to stakeholders (internal and external) along
with extent of suitability of communication with purpose and audience
For informing internal stakeholders (management team, Board of Directors, employees
and more), CIBT uses direct meeting process where communication about cost of implementing
new technology and its benefits are informed to them. While for making communication with
external stakeholders (targeted customers), e-mail method is used by the respective organisation.
These communication measures or techniques are totally suitable as per the purpose of delivering
information as well as the audience that is aimed at with the correspondence executed by the
concerned business organisation.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Abdelkafi, N. and Pero, M., 2018. Supply chain innovation-driven business models. Business
Process Management Journal.
Biemans, W., 2018. Managing innovation within networks. Routledge.
Chatzoglou, P. and Chatzoudes, D., 2018. The role of innovation in building competitive
advantages: an empirical investigation. European Journal of Innovation Management.
Gemünden, H.G., Lehner, P. and Kock, A., 2018. The project-oriented organization and its
contribution to innovation. International Journal of Project Management. 36(1).
pp.147-160.
Janjić, I. and Rađenović, T., 2019. The importance of managing innovation in modern
enterprises.0 Ekonomika. 65(3). pp.45-54.
Ottosson, S., 2019. Developing and Managing Innovation in a Fast Changing and Complex
World. Springer Books.
Prange, C. and Schlegelmilch, B.B., 2018. Managing innovation dilemmas: The cube solution.
Business Horizons. 61(2). pp.309-322.
Rachinger, M. and et. al., 2019. Digitalization and its influence on business model innovation.
Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management.
Santos, G. and et . al., 2018. Critical success factors in the management of ideas as an essential
component of innovation and business excellence. International Journal of Quality and
Service Sciences.
Snihur, Y. and Tarzijan, J., 2018. Managing complexity in a multi-business-model organization.
Long Range Planning. 51(1). pp.50-63.
Tidd, J. and Bessant, J., 2018. Innovation management challenges: From fads to fundamentals.
International Journal of Innovation Management. 22(05). p.1840007.
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