The Crocodile “Behavior-Based Performance Review System”

I used to hate doing performance reviews. I would spend weeks thinking about an employee’s performance. I would spend hours doing their review. Then, I would sit down with my employee at the review table and I would receive half-hearted agreement, vacant eyes, and stifled yawns. I came to realize that I was spending far more time thinking about my employees’ performances than they were. All they were looking to get from the review was a bump in their pay.

Yes, my performance review system was mediocre at best (and quite frankly, the review often did more harm than good).

As I talked with other business owners, many of them shared the exact same lament. I found that performance reviews have the following characteristics…

Bosses hate doing performance reviews.
Employees hate getting performance reviews.
Performance reviews are one-sided.
Performance reviews consist of broad generalizations and last minute opinions.
Nobody understands how to measure employee performance very well.
Nobody really understands how to measure employee behavior accurately. .

Upon examination, I found that most of my employee problems stemmed from the fact that the traditional way of doing employee hiring, interviewing, training and performance reviews is fundamentally flawed.

I had been spending my time training my employees to become technically expert on the “tasks” (accounting, marketing, sales, administration, making hoagies, etc.).

Sure, I needed employees with the ability to perform the physical tasks that I needed them to do, but I also needed employees with good attitudes, a work ethic and a healthy respect for me, the boss.

At first, I had only a vague idea of the employee behaviors I craved. I had no inkling how to measure employee behavior.

So I set out to describe exactly how I wanted my “Perfect People” to behave. I plowed tens of thousands of dollars into small business consultants… I read every book on HR out there … and I even shelled out for an MBA in leadership development.

All this academic study was valuable, but I found most of my study very heavy on theory and light on action. What I needed was fast, no-nonsense, small business staffing solutions that would work in the heat of battle.

So I cut through all the academic theory and boiled down my research to create a small business performance review system that defines and measures superstar employee behaviors (the kind of employee behaviors that can make any workplace sing).

Now I am proud to be able to show you how to hire great employees for your small business. Best yet, I can show you how to weed out the high-maintenance drama queens, the prima-donnas, the attendance problems, the evil administrative assistants, the goof-offs, the slackers, and the “power-trippers.”

For you, as your small business coach, I developed a two page employee “Behavior Score Card” that gives you clear examples of the 35 superstar employee behaviors that will make your workplace hum at an entirely different level, which will translate into…

1) Reduced Payroll Costs And More Profits For You

2) Reduced Employee Turnover

3) More Worry-Free Time Off

4) Less Employee Problems, B.S. And Attitude In Your Workplace

5) Measuring Employee Behaviors With Specific, Hard Numbers

Yes folks, I can show you how to measure and evaluate your employees on their attitude and behavior… and whether or not your employees are making you, the boss, happy.

Here is how my Behavior Based Performance Review works…

Employee Behavior (66%) + Tasks (34%) = Performance Review Score

Yes, you are reading this right: with my Behavior Based Performance Review, 2/3 of your employee’s performance review will now be based on their attitude and behavior… and whether or not they are making you happy.

With my unique Behavior Based Performance Review, I have the small business tool to show you how to hire– and train for and measure– the superstar employee behaviors that will make your little heart yelp for joy (and your bank account swell up like crazy).

By now, I know you are dying to see how these superstar employees look. So, before we get into the nuts and bolts of the performance review, let me show you the Behavior Score Card. You can find it on the next page. I promise you your business will never be the same!

The Crocodile Behavior Score Card 66% of your performance review is based on your behavior with customers, co-workers and management. These behaviors are measured using this Behavior Score Card
Read the following statements carefully and put a check in the box that most closely represents the frequency of each individual behavior.
Name: Date:
0=Not at all 1=Once in a while 2=Sometimes 3=Fairly often 4=Frequently, if not always
1. Get Real! (Honesty, Courage, Listening) 0 1 2 3 4
1. I am my harshest critic (aka I critically “self-scout” my own work). I ask for feedback from coworkers, management and customers. When I get this feedback, I don’t get defensive, point fingers, make excuses or go into “long- story-time.”
2. I am easy to work with because I consider the ideas of my customers, co-workers and teachers to be as important as my own. I am willing to compromise.
3. I explain my work—and my ideas— using simple words, specific numbers, costs, times, benefits, examples, pictures and stories. (This helps me train and delegate).
4. I take ownership of the tasks laid out on my job description and seek to become an expert (I know my company’s products, services and procedures inside-and-out).
5. I follow-through to make sure tasks get done correctly. I give crystal-clear feedback. I use direct, simple language–even if it is unpopular. I kick butt when necessary.
6. I am humble and treat all people with respect—regardless of circumstance or position. I say “Please” and “Thank You.” I make newcomers feel welcome.
7 When decisions are made that negatively impact me (or another individual), I shift my focus to think about the “big picture” and the “greater common good” and I consider how the decision might benefit the group as a whole.
2. Dream Tall… Worry Small (Imagination, Goal Setting, Learning, Taking Action)
1. I am upbeat and perform my work with a sense of humor. I am enthusiastic, I smile, I have fun, I laugh. I brightly say “Good Morning.”
2. I talk about the benefits of getting work done in a timely fashion (special lunches, Jamaica trips, menu planning, going home on time, new ideas)
3. I keep a written, organized “to-do” list and set clear goals with deadlines.
4. I make quick, confident accurate decisions. I am willing to try new things (I embrace change and take action, even if it takes me out of my comfort zone).
5. I talk passionately about ideas for the future and encourage others to jump out of their comfort zones and move forward. I say “You can do it.”
6. I give credit for my successes to those around me. I slap them on the back and say “Atta boy” or “Atta girl.” I look them in the eye and give sincere, specific compliments.
7. I take advantage of continuing education opportunities outside of work (Automobile University, Learn-While-You-Earn, Formal Education, In-House Library, etc.).

3. Turn Scars Into Stars (Creativity, Optimism, Persistence) 0 1 2 3 4
1. I identify and own my problems and challenges (use-me-list, lack of time, slow employees, lagging sales). I view these as opportunities and I implement on solutions.
2. I view mistakes as a “big deal.”, conflict (and ho-hum outcomes) as an opportunity to fix and upgrade our systems. This way, the business gets better and I get better.
3. I take full responsibility for my mistakes and view them as a “big deal.” I learn all I can from my mistakes and don’t repeat them in the future.
4. I diplomatically address and resolve conflict. I compromise. I do not procrastinate when it is time to have the “difficult” conversation.
5. I get results even when tasks are difficult and challenging. I am a brave warrior (I do not crack under pressure). I do not back down from difficult situations.
6. I try to fix problems myself, but when I can’t fix them, I tell my supervisor. I also recommend do-able, carefully thought out solutions.
7. I use my imagination to turn each routine task—or special request—into an opportunity to do something welcome and unexpected. I “dig deep.”
4. When You Go There… Be There (Concentration, Excellence, Non-Attachment)
1. I focus on how each routine task that I do helps those around me. This mindset keeps my spirit positive ( I don’t worry about whether a task makes me “happy.”)
2. I display a sense of urgency. I meet my deadlines. I hustle. I come to work with “fire in the belly.” I have lots of “GAS” (Give-A–Shit).
3. I focus on my work. I engage primarily in positive, work related conversation. I use my cell phone for work only.
4. When problems arise, I examine our internal documents and operating procedures for solutions before I try to reinvent the wheel.
5. I avoid emotional displays, mood swings, button-pushing. I avoid the “rumor mill.” I leave my baggage at home. Quality is “JOB #1.”
6. I am responsible. I can be counted on to work independently without supervision. I am careful, attentive, detail-oriented. I can follow flow-charts, pictures, invoices.
7. I make effective plans. I break my work into manageable steps and develop a game plan before I move forward. I look before I leap.
5. *Be The Best For* The World (Generosity, Inspiration, Kindness, Gratitude)**
1. I inspire my coworkers, suppliers and community. I learn their names and special concerns. I make newcomers feel welcome. I send testimonials and thank-you notes.
2. I inspire my customers. I provide hope, enthusiasm, humior and warmth. I tell jokes and solve their problems. I learn their special needs and build relationships.
3. I am generous. I share my time, skills and possessions with others. I help others develop their strengths through coaching, education and counseling.
4. I make personal sacrifices for the good of my team. For example, I volunteer to do extra work when it is really busy, I am very punctual and I rarely call out sick.
5. My work is clean, organized and beautiful (my writing, my training materials, my equipment, my dress, my work spaces). Nobody has to pick up after me.
6. I help out my customers and co-workers– even if they are upset, rude, or I think they are “wrong” (this is when they need my support and understanding the most).
7. To increase my energy level and endurance, I get plenty of sleep, eat a sensible diet, engage in regular exercise. I don’t have a super-intense social life. .
Total Of All Scores ___ / 35 = _______ ( Final Score)