Analysis of Performance Management and Training at Walmart: A Report

This report provides an in-depth analysis of Walmart's performance management and training processes. It examines the current performance management system, including the three-phase training approach (analysis, design, and delivery), performance evaluation methods, and planning dimensions like customer service and problem-solving. The report also explores formal and informal feedback processes, emphasizing employee training to adhere to feedback. Furthermore, it identifies best practices to improve employee performance, such as open communication, consistent appraisals, and the application of technology. The importance of training for meeting organizational needs and performance goals, including innovative training programs like video game training, is also discussed. The report concludes with considerations for designing an effective training program and explains the role of training and performance management in protecting the organization from potential litigation. The report offers recommendations for improvement based on its findings.

Running Head: Performance Management and Training
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING

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Performance Management and Training
Table of Contents
1. Introduction............................................................................................................................3
2. Discussion..............................................................................................................................3
2.1 Current performance management system.......................................................................3
2.2 Description of the formal and informal performance feedback processes.......................4
2.3 Analysis of best practices that can improve employee performance................................5
2.4 Analysis of the importance of training for meeting organizational needs and
performance goals...................................................................................................................6
2.5 Consideration for designing an effective training program..............................................7
2.6 Explanation about training and performance management role in protecting an
organization from possible litigation......................................................................................8
3. Conclusion and recommendations.........................................................................................9
Reference list............................................................................................................................11

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Performance Management and Training
1. Introduction
Management of performance and training, help companies to help their employees in
professional development. These processes help in achieving organizational objectives within
minimum time period. This study is concerned about training and performance management
processes of Walmart. Evaluation of these processes can reveal the strength of internal
stakeholders of this company that is helping them in achieving business goals. Through
effective training and managing performance, organizations can enhance job satisfaction
level and this approach motivates employees to provide their best effort in serving customers.
After reviewing the current processes within Walmart, this study includes appropriate
recommendations along with rationale.
2. Discussion
2.1 Current performance management system
Employee performance management and training in Walmart is designed in such a
way that can help them in global expansion. Employee training is a major factor in
performance management in this organization. This consists of three phases, which are
analysis, designing, and delivery. As opined by Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart & Wright (2017),
proper analysis helps in finding gaps in employee performance and setting of training goals
can be done. In Walmart, three different kinds of analysis are done that includes task analysis,
cost-benefit analysis, and organizational analysis. Management of this firm gives the most
priority to work analysis and it helps in identifying training requirements. During designing
of training result-oriented approach is taken by this company (Corporate.Walmart.com,
2019). Moreover, the delivery of training is done through coaching, on the job training and
discussion sessions. Walmart also evaluates the effectiveness of training program. As said by
Buckingham & Goodall (2015), proper evaluation helps to guide HRM in improving training
programs in the future.

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Walmart has also adopted different measurements and standards for evaluation of
employee performance. Different standards are there for different kinds of tasks. For
example, standard of productivity is considered for employees in warehouse. Besides,
financial position of the company and decision making are the standards for managers of
Walmart (Corporate.Walmart.com, 2019). For salespersons, Walmart has considered
salesmanship as the measurement standard.
Management of employee performance in a firm can be done through proper planning
(Budworth, Latham, & Manroop (2015). Performance planning is another essential element
of employee performance management at Walmart. This is done on the basis of three
dimensions, which includes customer service, decision making and problem-solving. Retail is
a service business, therefore planning needs to be done by aligning with customer service
goals (Sargeant et al. 2015). Moreover, managers and leaders need to have proper problem-
solving skills that can help this firm for gaining competitive advantage. Emphasis on these
dimensions for performance planning has helped Walmart to create a skilled workforce.
2.2 Description of the formal and informal performance feedback processes
Walmart is currently having more than 2.2 million employees throughout the world.
The management of this company believes that providing feedback after assessing
performance of employees can help them to motivate employees. As stated by Ben-Oz &
Greve (2015), this approach of a company helps employees to identify gaps in their
performance and they try to mitigate those gaps. This company trains their employees to
adhere to feedback they receive from different stakeholders of their business. Walmart
instructs its employees to be open to both formal and informal feedback
(Corporate.Walmart.com, 2019). They train employees to develop a mindset to adhere to
given feedback for professional development. On the other hand, they encourage leaders and
managers of this company to provide honest feedback to others as per their opinion.

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Performance Management and Training
Currently, this company is relying on informal feedback from their customers and
allowing employees to work on that feedback to improve performance of this company
(Corporate.Walmart.com, 2019).
On the other hand, leaders and managers of this company provide formal feedback to
employees for developing a good culture within this company. Employees are encouraged to
provide feedback to each other. This aspect leads to the development of team working
capability and employees are working on both informal and formal feedback to improve their
performance. However, this company needs to develop more appropriate strategies to provide
feedback for managing performance of employees in the future. More appropriate process
needs to be implemented for providing feedback.
2.3 Analysis of best practices that can improve employee performance
Employee performance can get deteriorated due to lack of proper techniques or
practices.
Open communication with employees: Conducting proper communication with
employees make them clear about their work assignments (Bear, Cushenbery, London &
Sherman, 2017). In addition, the management of a firm needs to explain company
expectations to employees, which can guide them to perform accordingly. Walmart has
introduced satellite communication system in the company worth 24 million dollars
(Walmart.com, 2019). They have implemented new technologies for creating a clear and
open communication channel between employees and management.
Consistent performance appraisals: Timely and regular appraisals regarding
employee performance help them to analyze their position and current level of performance.
As opined by Brown, Kulik & Lim (2016), conducting regular appraisals regarding
performance of employees helps to align organizational goals with daily tasks. In Walmart,

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Performance Management and Training
performance appraisal is a part of performance planning. This is done to provide proper
support to customers and increase problem-solving ability of employees.
Practices to motivate employees: Different effective practices such as maintaining
good quality work environment, lucrative benefits and improving employee understanding
about mission and vision of the company can help in motivating employees. Walmart helps
employees to maintain a balance between work and life. However, employees complain
against this firm for providing low salaries that decreases their motivation level. Bonuses,
holidays and other benefits such as medical plans are provided to the employees that motivate
them to perform better.
Application of technology to improve employee performance: Application of
advanced technology and artificial intelligence can help to increase efficiency of employees
to a greater level. Advancement in robotics and AI has helped in this process that helps in
reducing the operating level and saves energy of employees (Forslund, 2015). Walmart has
used robots in maintaining inventory and automation during unloading the tricks. This firm
also initiated an online shopping service that is conducted by AI but backed by humans.
Hence, division of labor has occurred.
2.4 Analysis of the importance of training for meeting organizational needs and
performance goals
Training programs are an important part of business as it helps in meeting the needs
of organizations. Henry, Hill & Leitch (2017) have mentioned that training helps in
professional development of employees and allow them to achieve organizational goals.
Walmart analyzes needs for training based on the objectives of their human resource
management department. This company is thinking about taking a more innovative initiative
that can help them to meet their organizational needs. As mentioned by Lacerenza, Reyes,
Marlow, Joseph & Salas (2017), training process helps to develop teams within organizations

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Performance Management and Training
and companies encourage employees to work collaboratively through appropriate training
programs. This firm analyzes their needs and set performance goals before planning training
programs for associates (Walmart.com, 2019). Training plays an important role in making
employees understand their roles and responsibility within an organization. Innovative
training programs of Walmart are helping them to satisfy the needs of customers. As a result,
customer satisfaction level is improving and this company is being able to generate maximum
revenue.
Training associates: This Company arranges immersive training program for its
employees. These training programs are for helping associates to understand their roles and
responsibility within Walmart (Corporate.Walmart.com, 2019). They are getting both sales
floor training and classroom training. Last year, this company has successfully trained near
about 450000 associates including assistant managers, department managers, and frontline
supervisors. This approach has helped this company to fulfill the needs of the professional
development of employees from all levels.
Video game training: This innovative training process of Walmart is helping them to
train associates about their roles and responsibilities as a department manager. The game,
Spark City, has been designed for training employees to meet the needs of this company for
improving sales floor (Corporate.Walmart.com, 2019).
Hence, it is clear that training programs are important for Walmart as it is helping
them to achieve performance goals and meeting the needs of their organization.
2.5 Consideration for designing an effective training program
For designing an effective training program, it is essential to consider some factors
that can help in achieving the desired training objectives. Knowledge about employees is a
major factor that helps in designing a training program. Knowledge includes gaps in
employee performance, required skills in employees and other strengths of weaknesses

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Performance Management and Training
(Alhejji, Garavan, Carbery, O'Brien & McGuire, 2016). This can help the management of a
firm to increase skills of employees and mitigate the gaps in their performance. Knowledge
about employees can be gained by regular monitoring and collection of information.
Division of employees into groups is another essential factor that can be considered during
designing a training program. Division can be done on the basis of requirements and needs of
employees in terms of skills, technical knowledge, and others.
Analysis of collected information is an important factor, which needs to be
considered while designing an employee training program. As said by Sargeant et al. (2015),
proper analysis helps in preparing content about training program. Analysis can be done
through the help of graphs, charts, and diagrams that can increase the ability of
understanding. Relevant and authenticity of information can create a barrier in this process.
Developing learning objectives and materials is another essential factor in this process.
Development of training objectives can help in increasing understanding of employees
regarding the goals. As opined by Buckingham & Goodall (2015), learning objectives are a
set of things that employees can perform after training process. Different training materials
like PowerPoint presentation, containing content of training needs to be designed. Other
material requirements are excel and word for analysis, and presentation of content. Posters,
charts and other graphics are also needed for conducting a training program. In addition, it is
essential to create plenty of opportunity for feedback during the process of training. This can
help to measure learning of employees from training process.
2.6 Explanation about training and performance management role in protecting an
organization from possible litigation.
Management of performance and training help organizations to avoid litigations as
this aspect helps to adhere to existing legal guidelines. Company policy of Walmart has been
prepared based on legal guidelines regarding employment. According to Noe et al. (2017),

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training must be given on the organizational policies to make employees understand their
roles in maintaining legal guidelines. Walmart trains its employees regarding the employment
policies and helps them to become appropriate or this company. It is important to train
higher-level employees including managers and leaders regarding basic rights and needs of
employees (Rodriguez & Walters, 2017).
Additionally, these stakeholders must have knowledge to maintain business ethics
while dealing with employees. Walmart has realized these facts and they are serious about
providing training to department managers, assistant managers, frontline supervisors and
other leaders (Corporate.Walmart.com, 2019). This approach of this company is helping them
to adhere to the country's legal system regarding employment and they are successfully
avoiding all kinds of litigations. Providing training to decision-makers is helping Walmart to
comply with legal system while making major decisions in favor of the company. Training of
employees from all levels of employees is helping in maintaining ethical guidelines as per
legal system. Hence, it can be stated that training programs are protecting Walmart from all
potential litigations. As a result, this company is being able to maintain their reputation.
3. Conclusion and recommendations
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that Walmart has managed employee
performance in a proper way. They have conducted the training process through different
phases that have helped in proper designing. Moreover, different performance standards have
been implemented to measure and monitor employee performance.
It can be recommended for Walmart to improve salary structure for employees. The
company partly satisfies the interest of the staff as they gain a low salary. Hence, the
management of this firm needs to provide salary as per industry level. This can help to reduce
the risk of employee turnover in the future. Customers are a major source of income for this
firm. Hence it can be recommended that they can arrange special training of employees about

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public relations. This can help to increase skills of employees about customer handling and
relationship building. Hence, a higher margin of profit can be gained by increasing customer
satisfaction.

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