The Appraisals Pocketbook

The Appraisals Pocketbook adopts a strongly practical approach in explaining how to set up and run an appraisal system. Using a helpful 5-stage model, the book shows how to identify the job objective and key result areas, how to set clear achievable goals, and how to structure and conduct the performance discussion. The 2nd edition of this popular title has been brought up-to-date by the author and there are new illustrations throughout. Reviewing the Appraisals Pocketbook, Management Today concluded: 'This little book provides a lot of help. It challenges managers to ask themselves whether they understand what an appraisal is for, and what questions they should be asking'.

A goals oriented/personal development approach to performance appraisal and performance management.

The Managing Your Appraisal Pocketbook is written from the appraisee's standpoint. It encourages people to take charge of their own career development by preparing for and properly using appraisals. Its author is Max Eggert, a management psychologist who specialises in assisting organisations and individuals to achieve their best. He looks at the dangers and benefits of appraisals, how to prepare for them, performance measurement, feedback, the appraisal interview structure, and types of questioning. For hints and tips on setting up and running an appraisal system, see The Appraisal's Pocketbook.

How to get the best from your working relationship with your boss and other senior people is the subject of The Managing Upwards Pocketbook. It begins by looking at what makes a good boss and what drives the relationship - from both the subordinate's and the boss's perspective. There is advice on how to build a partnership that is constructive, straightforward, trusting and mutually beneficial. Under the heading 'working to create impact' the book deals with such matters as taking a brief, objectives and targets, using timings and deadlines to advantage, and progress reports. Subsequent chapters detail how to communicate with senior people (including listening to each other), how to get agreement and how to handle difficulties such as poor information flow, broken promises, the 'leave it to me' syndrome and more serious issues such as bullying and sexual harassment. Job appraisals, are dealt with too.

Coaching is aimed at improving performance at work. This is done by turning the activities people do into learning situations, in a planned way and under guidance. The Coaching Pocketbook defines the coach's role and explains how coaching differs from the other 'helping skills' of advising, instructing, counselling and mentoring. There are four key stages to coaching, namely assessing current performance levels, setting outcomes for learning, agreeing tactics/initiating action, and giving feedback. The author explains each stage and then moves on to summarise the various skills required. Next, the opportunities for coaching and the potential pitfalls are highlighted. A checklist and a case study end the Pocketbook on a practical note. "Encapsulated my belief in the potential of people and showed me how to translate this into appropriate action" "For UK plc to win a global marketplace it is essential for managers and leaders to understand learning and to develop coaching skills. This pocketbook provides a very readable insight into understanding the challenge." "An amazing amount of ground has been covered in this little book - it unravels a complex subject in a very practical and easy to understand format."

Linbert Spencer, author of The Diversity Pocketbook, believes firmly that combating discrimination, promoting equal opportunity and valuing the differences in individuals is morally, socially and economically advantageous. It adds value to an organisation - by making it more attractive to investors, would-be employees and customers - and improves output, both quality and quantity. The Diversity Pocketbook is for everyone with responsibility for directing, managing, supervising or influencing others within an organisation. It describes how to: formulate a strategy that values diversity; implement such a strategy; recruit and train a more diverse workforce (the 5D's - desire, definition, decision, determination and discipline); and set personal diversity and equality objectives. The appointment of a 'diversity champion' and dealing with grievances are also dealt with.

Another popular title from Ian Fleming on ways to manage difficult people and their problems. The People Manager's Pocketbook uses a practical and effective 'Signs/Reasons/Solutions' structure. Problem areas include: the poor performer, difficult individual, reluctant team player, persistent late-comer, slow learner, isolated individual and unsupportive boss. '...practical and rich in common sense', reported Management Today journal.

The Teamworking Pocketbook has long been at the heart of the successful Management Pocketbooks Series. Now in its third edition, this popular title looks at the differences between groups and teams and between teambuilding and teamworking, the types of problems preventing teams from being effective, and offers plenty of practical advice for countering such difficulties. Leadership, conflict management and understanding group behaviour are among the many subjects covered in this illustrated 'hands-on' guide.Also available in the series: Teambuilding Activities Pocketbook, Team Coaching Pocketbook