Employee Performance Management: Foundation for Talent Strategy

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - June 8, 2010) -  Employee Performance Management, a recent study by Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS) reveals organizations have difficulty making performance management a part of the company culture rather than once a year review. Adopting a performance-oriented mind-set that is based on regular feedback is critical in aligning individuals with organizational goals. Key capabilities adopted by top performing companies show that leveraging performance data for learning, succession, and compensation truly earns them top status. The data shows that these organizations are 30% more likely than Laggards to use performance and goals attainment data to create development plans and assign learning as part of, or based on, the performance review.

"Automating the process, gaining necessary buy-in, and establishing accountability should be a given for all organizations," said Jayson Saba, Research Analyst with Aberdeen's Human Capital Management practice. "The real differentiation, and what sets top companies apart, is being able to identify your top performers and build a competency framework by which you can recruit and develop your talent."

According to Justin Bourke, Research Associate with Aberdeen's Human Capital Management practice, "Top performing companies also understand that performance and goals should be deeply intertwined. This makes it possible to ensure that the key indicators by which performance is being evaluated are those that are the most closely aligned with the organization's strategy."

By identifying the proven steps adopted by high-achieving organizations, this report serves as a roadmap that will guide any organization seeking to implement an assessment process that can lead to better decisions and significantly improve performance, engagement, retention and, ultimately, client satisfaction. Another piece of evidence to build a case for talent management initiatives that will drive business execution.

Aberdeen's report provides more detail about how top performing organizations carry out their employee performance management strategies in a way that not only encourages better results, but ensures that top performers are aligned so that their results have a greater impact on the organization.

A complimentary copy of this report is made available due in part by the following underwriters: Cytivia and Taleo. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=6361&camp=2.

Visit Research.Aberdeen.com for additional access to complimentary Human Capital Management Research.

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company

Aberdeen provides fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having queried more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is positioned to educate users to action: driving market awareness, creating demand, enabling sales, and delivering meaningful return-on-investment analysis. As the trusted advisor to the global technology markets, corporations turn to Aberdeen for insights that drive decisions.

As a Harte-Hanks Company, Aberdeen plays a key role of putting content in context for the global direct and targeted marketing company. Aberdeen's analytical and independent view of the "customer optimization" process of Harte-Hanks (Information - Opportunity - Insight - Engagement - Interaction) extends the client value and accentuates the strategic role Harte-Hanks brings to the market. For additional information, visit Aberdeen or call (617) 854-5200, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks, call (800) 456-9748.

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