Having an appraisal? - 40 - English at Work helps you think about your work

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TRANSCRIPT

Paul
Could I have a word Anna, in my office?

Narrator
Hello again. I wonder what Paul wants to say to Anna? Could it have something to do with Rachel, the pen thief or is it just to do with biscuits?! Let's find out.

Paul
Have a seat… so well done for speaking to her. Stealing all those pens from the office was the final straw.

Anna
She was stealing straws?

Paul
No, no. It was the final thing that she did wrong – and it meant disciplinary action. I've had to 'let her go' – in other words, sack her.

Anna
Oh, so she's gone. But what is Mr Socrates going to say? She was his best employee.

Paul
Leave it with me. I’m sure he'll understand…I hope. Now, I wanted to speak to you about your appraisal.

Anna
My appraisal?

Paul
Yes, we do it every year. It's a chance to talk about you, talk about the highs and lows of the past year and look forward.

Anna
Highs and lows? But I haven't been walking up any hills.

Narrator
No Anna! He means your appraisal is about reviewing your performance and setting objectives for the year ahead.

Anna
I see. But what are objectives?

Narrator
These are tasks for you to do, to try and improve your performance and skills and help the business. Here are the questions you’re likely to hear in an appraisal:
What's gone well for you this year?
What didn't go so well?
What should you do more of?
Let's look ahead and set some objectives.

Anna
Right. Thanks. So Paul, when shall we have this, err, appraisal?

Paul
If you've time, we could make a start now?

Anna
Oh OK. So I need to think about my performance first?

Paul
Exactly. What has gone well for you this year?

Anna
Well I guess I've just done my job.

Narrator
Anna! This is your chance to sell yourself. Think about the deals you've made, the people you've managed, that sort of thing.

Anna
Right. Well, I did complete two big contracts for the Imperial Lemon…

Paul
You've had plenty of compliments for that. You seem to have a zest for selling!

Anna
Err, right… and then there was dealing with Mr Ingle in the warehouse.

Paul
Yes, that's a good example of dealing with difficult staff. And what didn't go so well?

Anna
Well…erm…working with Rachel…and cold calling I suppose. That wasn’t easy.

Paul
Ah yes. But you soon warmed up! And what should you do more of?

Anna
Err, erm…

Narrator
It's a tricky question Anna – but don't be ashamed about admitting things that you feel you could improve on. Nobody's perfect! Think about skills you'd like to improve.

Anna
Oh OK. Well Paul, I guess I could….develop some ideas for new products? Continue to work on the European marketing strategy..sell more Imperial Lemons…err…

Paul
That's enough Anna! If you do all that, you'll put me out of a job!

Anna
Oh, I don't want to do that!

Paul
Now let's look ahead and set some objectives. Biscuit?

Anna
Biscuits as an objective? Oh I see…no thanks.

Paul
We've all got to improve our sales targets so I'm asking all the team to make an extra ten sales deals this year.

Anna
Oh, ten, that’s a lot.

Paul
It is but I know you can do it. And you mentioned developing new products, well I'd like you to do just that – but not plastic fruit, I'd like you to develop a plastic vegetable. Potato, carrot, that sort of thing.

Anna
Gosh. Well, ok.

Paul
Oh and one more thing. Could you help Denise sort out the stationery cupboard? It's a right mess.

Anna
Err.

Narrator
That's a lot of objectives for Anna. She's got her work cut out for the next year. Appraisals are a good time to review your work and plan what you going to do next. Here's a reminder of the kind of questions your manager may as you:
What has gone well for you this year? Give me some examples.
What didn't go so well?
What should you do more of?
Let's look ahead and set some objectives.

Paul
So if you could write up your appraisal and have it back to me by Friday?

Anna
Of course Paul. Thanks. See you later.

Tom
Oh hi Anna. Are you still on for dinner on Friday?

Anna
Yes Tom!

Anna
What's going on?!

Denise
A mouse…a mouse! I've just seen a mouse running out of the stationary office.

Tom
Was he stealing the pens?!

Denise
It's no joke. Quick…there he goes!

Tom
Leave him to me! Oh…oww!

Anna
Tom…Tom? Are you ok?

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