Video Arts launches new video resource on performance reviews

LONDON - Oct. 1, 2013 - PRLog -- A new video-based training resource which shows how to conduct an effective performance review - and how to appraise the three most difficult types of employee - has been launched today by learning content specialist Video Arts.

Performance Review: Code Red, available on video and as an interactive e-learning course, highlights three fictional managers struggling to conduct performance reviews with difficult employees, until they are helped out by a mysterious expert who wipes each employee’s memory and tells each manager how to make their performance reviews more productive and motivating.

Designed to appeal to all levels of management, the fast-paced and entertaining resource uses humour, memorable characters and the classic Video Arts ‘wrong way, right way’ lesson structure to bring alive the learning points. It offers best practice guidance not only on how to conduct positive reviews that leave team members feeling valued and engaged but also on how to stay on track, even if the employee is disengaged, aggressive or prone to take minor criticisms personally.

“Performance reviews are a core responsibility for any manager and, when they’re done well, motivation thrives, relationships flourish, talent develops and productivity is enhanced,” said Martin Addison, CEO of Video Arts. “But too often managers use the wrong approach, take the wrong attitude or say the wrong words. The experience then becomes frustrating and unsatisfying for all concerned and that can deflate your team and cause good people to leave. This brand new resource shows how every manager can get it right and conduct performance reviews that enhance the attitude, motivation and productivity of their team.”

Performance Review: Code Red explains how managers should structure a performance review; how they can make employees feel at ease; how they should raise and tackle any deficiencies in the individual’s performance and how to agree a workable plan for the future. It emphasises that the golden rule in a performance review is ‘no surprises’ and it highlights the importance of praising the individual’s work and of not getting defensive or side-tracked into irrelevant arguments.

“The objective of any performance review is not to fill in a form but to increase the individual’s motivation, develop their potential and enhance their performance,” said Martin Addison. “It should be an opportunity for a relaxed and extended conversation with a colleague but many managers do more talking than listening. This resource uses fast-paced and entertaining video footage to depict memorable characters, workplace scenarios and learning points that will enable managers to be much more effective when reviewing the performance of their teams.”

Performance Review: Code Red includes a course leader’s guide, with a suggested classroom agenda, exercises and a PowerPoint presentation. It contains 26 minutes of video content, featuring Sharon Horgan (Pulling), Jim Howick (Peep Show) and David Schaal (The Inbetweeners). A short preview is available on the Video Arts website videoarts.com

L&D teams can also view a full length preview on any device by trialling the new Video Arts ON>DEMAND platform.

For further information, please call Video Arts on +44 (0) 20 7400 4800.

Background notes: Video Arts is the world’s leading provider of ready-made and bespoke video-based learning. For over 40 years, it has used the ‘wrong way, right way’ lesson structure to produce management and soft-skills training via e-learning, mobile learning and training videos. Scenes showing the ‘wrong way’ to behave provoke discussion, enabling learners to draw out the lessons for themselves. The right way to behave is then demonstrated. Video Arts has won over 200 awards for its learning content and is now part of the BAFTA-winning Tinopolis Group.