Performance measurements in introductory systems and components

Performance/Reward System:

An organization can achieve a competitive edge only and only with the help of its employees. Therefore, it is necessary that right employees are selected then trained and developed and a performance-based reward system. The question then comes to the performance measurement system. In a furniture retail store where I work they stick to the old practice of a meeting of top managers and supervisor who sit down annually and critically review the performance of all customer service personnel. They carry out a thorough examination of employee performance with respect to the goal set for them by the management. In this setting where only goals are there to guide employees and performance appraisal system is vague and subjective, most employees are just interested in meeting their targets and they do not strive to exceed their employers expectations. Performance evaluation should be an evaluation and development tool with the help of which excellence is rewarded and deficiencies are discovered so that training and development activities can be arranged for that person. Ideally, I would have a rating system for performance appraisal at all levels. "Possibilities include (1) supervisors who rate their employees, (2) employees who rate their superiors, (3) team members who rate each other, (4) employees who rate themselves, and (5) customers" (Sims, 2002). Some organizations use just one or may be more than one of these people to do the ratings and fill up the forms. I were to assume the responsibility of formulating HR policies then I would go for the 360 degree appraisal that is having feedback and ratings from all the people mentioned above. However, in case of different functions different weight would be given to the ratings done. For example, in case of customer service feedback from customers and other related department managers becomes more important. This way manager can get a better picture and employees will remain alert and vigilant about their performance.

An organization is an organism and should be treated as such. It is a whole system and not just few components clammed together. When building and understand the system of an organization, it is best to study how the human system works. Human system is a marvel of God and a perfect example of how a system should work. "Doctors spend lots of time and lots of money to understand how the pesky thing works" (Kreiner, 2000). Human body is not just a system but also a combination of a number of complex sub-systems dependent on each other. The human body is not an isolated system rather it exists in a dynamic environment. The exchange of input and outputs constantly takes place with the external environment. Take the example of respiratory system that takes the input of oxygen and other dust particles from environment. Dusk and undesirable pigments are filtered at the main entrance that is nose with the help of hairs. In the end body releases back carbon dioxide gas to the environment. All the subsystems are interdependent on each other. The respiratory system provides oxygen to circulatory system that with the help of heart performs the whole cleaning function while at the same time providing oxygen to brain and nervous system and taking nutrients from digestive system. No one function is secluded but they all perform interlocking activities. We can also take the example of skin that maintains the balance of water both inside and outside. It has to deal with changes in outside temperature also. It also shields the body from germs and infections and even when there is a cut its function of safety becomes more important. The hairs on the skin help nervous system assess the changes or stimuli in the environment. So this just one subsystem is not just dealing with external forces but is in close so-ordination with other systems like skin is in close co-ordination with nervous system. The sub-systems in the human body are so interdependent that if one stops working or starts malfunctioning the whole system may collapse.