Advanced Business Reading

Short Texts: Employee Reviews

Read the short texts and choose the best answer for each question.


1.

Employee Performance Review

During the past year, Sarah has demonstrated strong leadership skills in managing her team, consistently meeting project deadlines and maintaining high client satisfaction levels. However, there have been concerns about her delegation style, as some team members feel overwhelmed by the volume of tasks assigned. While her technical skills continue to improve, it is recommended that she participate in a management workshop to enhance her ability to distribute workloads more effectively. Additionally, Sarah should work on her communication during team meetings, ensuring all voices are heard. Overall, she has shown significant potential for further leadership roles within the company.

Which area of Sarah's leadership needs attention?

  1. Improving her client satisfaction scores.
  2. Assigning tasks in a way that doesn't overwhelm her team.
  3. Managing technical responsibilities more independently.

2.

Team Leader Performance Feedback

In the recent 360-degree feedback exercise, several team members highlighted Martin's ability to manage high-pressure situations and his excellent client relationship management. However, there were consistent concerns regarding his approach to conflict resolution within the team. Martin tends to avoid addressing issues directly, which can result in misunderstandings or unresolved tensions. It is recommended that he undergo further training in conflict management and develop a more proactive approach to resolving disputes. His overall performance has been solid, but improving this area could significantly enhance team dynamics and morale.

What does Martin need to work on to improve team cohesion?

  1. Handling disputes more proactively within the team.
  2. Being more aggressive and less passive.
  3. Deal with high pressure situations better.

3.

Annual Appraisal Summary: Marketing Department

The annual performance appraisals in the marketing department have shown mixed results. While most employees have exceeded their sales targets, some concerns have been raised about the lack of innovation in recent campaigns. Many team members feel that the department has been relying too heavily on traditional marketing strategies rather than exploring digital avenues or new platforms. It has been suggested that the department organise brainstorming sessions to encourage creative ideas and develop a more forward-thinking approach. Overall, the department is performing well, but there is room for improvement in terms of creativity and adaptability to market trends.

What is the key issue the marketing department needs to address?

  1. Employees failing to meet their sales targets.
  2. Too many mistakes when using modern digital marketing strategies.
  3. Their reliance on older methods and lack of creativity.

4.

Mid-Year Performance Review

As part of the mid-year performance review, Tom's supervisor noted significant improvement in his project management skills. His ability to manage timelines and coordinate cross-functional teams has been praised. However, one of the recurring issues is his reluctance to delegate tasks, often opting to complete work himself rather than trusting his team. This has led to some inefficiencies, particularly during high-pressure periods. It is recommended that Tom focus on improving his delegation skills to ensure smoother project execution in the future. His performance in terms of meeting targets has been excellent, but refining this aspect could elevate his leadership capabilities.

Which of Tom's skills needs improvement?

  1. Managing time under pressure.
  2. Coordinating projects with different teams.
  3. Delegating tasks to others in his team.

5.

Senior Management Performance Review

The senior management team's review highlighted several strengths, particularly in terms of strategic vision and financial planning. However, there are concerns about the lack of transparency in decision-making processes, which has led to miscommunication between departments. It is recommended that the leadership team implement more regular cross-departmental meetings to ensure that all managers are aligned with the company's objectives. Additionally, providing clearer guidelines on decision-making protocols could enhance collaboration and reduce confusion. The leadership team has been commended for steering the company through recent economic challenges but needs to focus on improving internal communication.

What problem has contributed to communication issues in the company?

  1. Decision-making not being open enough across departments.
  2. The lack of clear company goals.
  3. Financial goals not being shared company-wide.

6.

360-Degree Feedback: Sales Department

The 360-degree feedback for the sales department reveals that while the team has consistently exceeded their sales quotas, there is a notable issue with teamwork. Several employees mentioned that the competitive atmosphere, while driving individual success, has created silos, hindering collaboration across the department. It is suggested that management encourage more team-based initiatives, such as shared goals and group projects, to foster a more cooperative environment. This approach could help improve overall department cohesion and performance.

What has negatively impacted teamwork in the sales department?

  1. Employees struggling to meet their sales quotas.
  2. A competitive culture leading to less collaboration.
  3. Too many team-based projects reducing individual achievement.

7.

Leadership Evaluation: Operations Manager

The leadership evaluation of the Operations Manager, Jill, shows she excels in crisis management, particularly during unexpected production delays. However, feedback from her team indicates that she struggles with long-term strategic planning, often focusing too much on immediate issues. It is recommended that she attend a leadership development course focused on strategic thinking to help balance her approach. Jill's ability to handle day-to-day operations is impressive, but improving her strategic vision could significantly enhance her effectiveness as a leader.

What skill would help Jill become a more effective leader?

  1. Handling crises more quickly.
  2. Focusing more on long-term goals.
  3. Not allowing short-term issues to become long-term problems.

8.

Peer Review: Software Development Team

In the latest peer review for the software development team, it was noted that while the team's technical skills are excellent, communication between developers and project managers is lacking. This has occasionally led to misunderstandings about project specifications and deadlines. It is recommended that the team adopt more structured communication protocols, such as weekly update meetings and detailed project documentation, to ensure alignment. Addressing this issue could lead to smoother project execution and more efficient development cycles.

What has been identified as the primary cause of misunderstandings in the software team?

  1. Poor overall project management practices.
  2. Too many important things discussed on calls.
  3. Communication between teams being unclear.

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