Job performance is all about how well an employee performs in the work place, and therefore necessitates ongoing measurement. Goal setting, assessment, and the identification of areas for improvement all come into play when job performance is considered.

If you expect your employees to stay at the top of their game, you will have to keep your end of the bargain too. Effective performance management requires continuous collaboration between employees and supervisors. Regular review of activities is needed. Typically this is done by means of written evaluations and one-on-one meetings with supervisors. However, job performance can be assessed in an alternative and more exciting way: make it an ongoing process that incorporates video!

Maximize job performance by using explainer videos in meetings with employees. After watching a relevant video the supervisor may discuss employees’ work by focusing on achievements and also suggesting areas for improvement.

7 Ways Videos Can Improve Job Performance

1. Share Expectations

Use video for internal communication purposes to share with employees what is expected of them. Create a set of videos that reveals desirable qualities and expectations. These can be shown to new employees as they join your team and also, from time to time, to current employees as a reminder.

2. Share Goals

Goal setting and communication are essential to optimize job performance. In both areas, video can be very useful. For example, once goals have been determined, video material that emphasizes company goals, departmental goals, and individual goals can be viewed to engage in discussions relevant to job performance.

3. Training

Most (if not all) organizations want well-rounded, cooperative, and dependable employees. Promote desirable qualities (e.g. conscientiousness, adaptability, integrity) by means of short training videos shown to your workforce. Also, use video to teach employees the specific knowledge and skills required to be successful in your company. It may be technical knowledge, specific work processes, or how to effectively manage a task.

4. Assessment

Make extensive use of video to explain areas that your organization considers when assessing job performance (e.g. achievement, administration, communication, cooperation, delegation, improvement, productivity, vision) so that employees know exactly what your company expects of them. Alternatively, supervisors can explain the categories on their performance evaluation forms by means of explainer videos. This will be a far more interesting way of revealing what supervisors will be looking for than reading through a form. By sharing this information using fun videos, everyone benefits, and trepidation may be taken out of the assessment process.

5. Feedback

Video can be used in an informal way to give employees regular feedback on their performance. Watch the video together and then discuss any additional support or training needed to accomplish goals. Take this a step further by then showing a short explainer video to teach specific skills or to convey specific knowledge that you want your employees to be familiar with.

6. Communicate Change

Video can be used very effectively to inform employees of changes (e.g. in processes, priorities, leadership, goals, or market changes) in your industry. It is important for employees to be able to adapt and continue to be effective even when they face changes. Through the use of video, employees can keep up to date with changing demands in their jobs.

7. Employees Create Videos

There are various ways to engage employees in video creation that will ultimately contribute to improved job performance and social learning. For example, an employee may be asked to create a video as part of a self-evaluation process (e.g. by creating a short explainer video that summarizes achievements). By doing so you will really get employees engaged. Alternatively, by means of collaborative video creation, supervisors and peers can reveal how a specific employee’s job performance is perceived by colleagues.

Video Banks

Build a video bank with relevant videos that can be viewed prior to job performance discussions. Also, use your video bank to enhance job performance of new employees by showing them material relevant to their positions. Furthermore, show videos for motivation, or to suggest practical ideas for improved job performance.

Consider the following suggestions for the creation of specific videos that will improve job performance – from time to time, show a video that:

• emphasizes skills specific to your industry
• makes employees feel appreciated
• celebrates company success
• reminds employees to take breaks
• encourages healthy habits
• motivates to put in the extra effort
• reveals daily or weekly goals
• reminds employees of company goals
• starts the day with a positive thought

Video provides an interesting and innovative way to communicate all aspects of job performance to employees. Therefore, make extensive use of video to help improve it!