WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT SHARON ARMSTRONG’S 2010 BOOK, THE ESSENTIAL PEFORMANCE REVIEW HANDBOOK

Kathy Albarado, CEO, Helios HR
It is no surprise that a great deal of anxiety surrounds the performance appraisal process for managers and employees alike. The Essential Performance Review Handbook delivers an impact. Through its pages we are reminded of the ‘why and how’ of delivering a performance review as it was intended—managing to employee strengths with the art of providing constructive feedback. Upon completion of this handbook, we embrace the next opportunity to conduct a review with a renewed sense of purpose in doing so.

Hank P. Baer, former Chair of the Labor & Employment Law Practice, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, an international law firm
A much needed, easily readable book about an extremely valuable management tool. This book tells why and how good performance evaluations help a business retain its best employees. Using anecdotes and well documented studies, it examines the fears and misconceptions preventing many employers from using evaluations to maintain an effective workforce. This book should be required reading for all employers and their supervisors.

Jacqueline Basile, Vice President, Human Resources, WETA
Sharon Armstrong’s recent book about Performance Appraisals provides valuable information to managers and employees who support high organizational performance and top-notch individual and team development. The book’s format makes it easy to come away with quick tips and great ideas that make a sometimes stressful process much less so. The book is especially useful because it provides guidance to both managers and employees, along with relevant examples. It is also a great resource for HR professionals. The sidebar, “Why Do Performance Appraisals?,” is a section that is not to be missed!

Diane I. Bessette, Office Manager/HR Generalist, National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems
The Essential Performance Review Handbook is a ‘how to’ guide that makes simple work out of a complex subject. Sharon Armstrong’s conversational writing style makes this an easy read and helps you envision how you might incorporate some of these principles to train managers and employees and enhance your review process.

The practical advice, conveyed in a comfortable tone, helps erase the ambiguities associated with evaluations. It helps identify our humanity as part of the process, highlights awareness to possible reviewer errors of subjectivity and how we unconsciously can err. The case examples and exercises provide useful tools to illustrate Armstrong’s key points and offer an excellent means to instruct your internal audience, whether supervisor or employee. The author steers you toward the importance of integrating specific measures when setting goals and ensuring that all the documentation is neutrally reviewed with an eye to providing fair and lawful reviews before they are shared with the employees.

The updated chapters address the changes in today’s work world, such as the challenges of telecommuting and compressed work weeks, and more. In particular, the legal aspects are a valuable insert to remind managers of what thresholds not to cross. In brief, this is a one stop shop for all the critical guidance and answers to the best review process you can develop.

Robert Bly, author, “101 Ways to Make Every Second Count” (Career Press)
The Essential Performance Review Handbook turns the writing of such appraisals from a tedious paperwork chore to a powerful management and motivational tool—a valuable new way of thinking about an old task.

Eugenia Burkes, Director of Administration, Mayer Brown LLP
Sharon Armstrong has once again presented important information in a concise and clear manner that any manager, experienced or new to the responsibilities, will find most helpful. For those of us with years of experience it is a terrific reminder of things that might not be forefront in our thoughts as we confront a form that must be completed on a tight deadline. The discussion in Chapter 6 is a terrific reminder of the many ways errors can creep into the rating process. Everyone should review these 16 rating traps prior to beginning the preparation of any review.

Jennifer Clinton, COO, The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars
The Essential Performance Review Handbook is the perfect desktop tool for managers. It provides great insight on the importance of approaching the review process as an on-going dialogue vs. a one-time event. The real-life scenarios and assessment tools are extremely helpful. This is a must-read for everyone involved in the review process!

Madelyne L. D’Angelo, Director, Human Resources Operations, L-3 Enterprise IT Solutions
A tremendous mix of authentic case studies, information, and skills discussion support a truly clear and functional tool for BOTH managers and employees. This work creates a new perspective of the appraisal process, moving the readers understanding of performance appraisals from a focus on a written form to a recognition of the same as a process which serves as an essential cog supporting the larger organizational system.

Mike Deblieux, SPHR, Principal Consultant, author of “Performance Appraisal Sourcebook,” and “The Supervisor’s Guide to Employee Performance Reviews”
Sharon Armstrong captures the key elements of effective feedback in this concise summary of the challenges of preparing, writing, and presenting a performance review. Extensive references to thought leaders provide helpful perspective. Sample interactions with employees at different performance levels create a “how to” outline for a workplace leader faced with the challenge of completing a review form to satisfy the demands of an HR system. Written around a consistent theme that a review summarizes a series of interactions, the book also provides key insights to understand the HR principles that are too often misunderstood and become road blocks to effective feedback.

Cornelia Gamlem, SPHR, president of GEMS Group, Ltd., co-author, “5 Steps to Putting Action into your Affirmative Action Plan and Briefing Managers about Affirmative Action Results.”
Armstrong has done it again. She takes a task that most managers dread and turns it into a straightforward process. Along the way, she guides them with practical advice, tips, forms and checklists. In a concise approach, Armstrong provides an essential primer for performance appraisals, explaining their importance to the individual employee, the manager and the organization. New and seasoned managers reading this book will gain insight and confidence. Human resource professionals will find it is an excellent resource for steering managers through the performance appraisal process.

Dick Grote, author, “The Complete Guide to Performance Appraisal,” and “The Performance Appraisal Question and Answer Book”
Here’s a practical, easy-to-use guide to performance appraisal that’s valuable to employee and supervisor alike. Continuing case studies allow us to see the whole range of performance management. It’s a gem of good writing and sound advice from a wise author who knows her stuff.

Sheri Leonardo, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
This is one of the best and most comprehensive Performance Review Handbooks I’ve seen. This is the perfect book for emerging supervisors as well and the seasoned manager. Chapter nine which discusses performance reviews in a changing world was spot on! It talks to the challenges of the virtual teams, telecommuting and job sharing which is more of a reality in today’s business world then ever before. This is one of the only performance review handbooks where I’ve seen information on the generational differences and how they each perceive the process of feedback is incredibly helpful. This book will become a core reference for our management staff.

Michel P. Mathieu, Senior HR Consultant, Inova Fairfax Hospital
Contrary to what the song says: Time is not on our side. “The Essential Performance Review Handbook” paves the road with useful information that managers can use immediately. The book is easy to read. I love the format, especially the side bar inserts. Sharon Armstrong writes clearly and with impact. The book is the right prescription for PRAD – Performance Review Anxiety Disorder. Read it and use it, the only side effect is improving your management effectiveness.

Paul McGee, Director, Human Resources, American Health Care Association
As HR Director at a Washington, DC trade association, I’ve had to prepare PowerPoint and training presentations around the subject of performance reviews, so I thought I’ve seen and heard it all. That was until I read, The Essential Performance Review Handbook. Sharon Armstrong has done a great job at capturing the essentials enhanced with sidebars, examples and checklists that work for everyone. This book is a must read for anyone that wants to improve their performance evaluation and review experience.

Mary Walter Midkiff, SPHR, Director, Talent Management, SCA Americas, LLC
This book is a terrific resource! It’s solid, well-written, full of relevant examples, and sample forms. It should be on the shelf of every good HR professional.

Naomi Morales, Vice President, Administration and Human Resources, PhRMA
Sharon presents a variety of straight-forward tips and suggestions for the novice supervisor, the more experienced managers and for employees themselves. Taking her “self-assessment for supervisors” is a quick way to refresh some of the areas that are important in a supervisor’s role in managing performance. A good reminder! Sharon also provides useful guidance for addressing performance and compensation in tight economic times – a very timely commentary. Once again, a practical guide for both managers and employees!

Joyce Oliner, Principal, Oliner Consulting
There are plenty of books around that address performance reviews, but this is that rare book that provides both very practical advice and thought-provoking commentary. It is apparent that Ms. Armstrong has a very deep understanding of the performance review process and its wider role in human resources management. The Essential Performance Review Handbook should be required reading for new managers and seasoned pros alike.

Christine Peterson, Associate Vice President/Chief Human Resources Officer, the Catholic University of America
Sharon’s initial version of her book was excellent. I have used it, over the years, in training my own professional-level HR staff and other supervisors/managers in general. This newest version is even better and here is why. The new version takes the established practice of performance management and evolves it to a contemporary practice blueprint. Performance management, like all management practices, must align with worker values and the era during which they live. Many of the other performance management resources available are stale and reflect practices from the past. This is a modern, concise, user-friendly manual I will highly recommend to those who are committed to truly making a difference through the science and art of performance management.

Vern Schellenger, VP of Human Resources & Organizational Development, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators
Sharon has written a straight forward, concise handbook that gets at the heart of performance reviews. The tips, techniques, management principles and common sense she provides will help managers and employees make performance reviews more effective.

Mark Stevenson, President, Smart HR, Inc.
As President and CEO of an HR Consulting firm, I strongly recommend this book. It is a comprehensive and valuable business tool that will help your organization improve relations with your employees and lead to greater contributions from your staff.

Michael Strand, President, HR Dynamics, Inc.
Sharon Armstrong’s new book on performance appraisal provides both the theory as well as the practicality of this challenging managerial process. Throughout the book, Armstrong suggests useful checklists addressing the process from the perspectives of the employee and the supervisor. The performance appraisal is viewed as a team process with each player (employee and supervisor) having their own role and responsibilities but focused on the common objective: two-way communication. If you, like most of us, could use some useful guidance in this process, this is the book to use.

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT SHARON ARMSTRONG AND BARBARA MITCHELL’S, THE ESSENTIAL HR HANDBOOK&

Joe Calloway, author of Work Like You’re Showing Off
Finally, a complete, clear, and concise book that covers every essential element of that mix of art and science we call HR. It’s 100% applicable to the real-world challenges faced by today’s HR manager or business owner.

Mary A. Camuto
This book is a great tool for HR professionals and all managers. The authors present current, practical and critical information which is both strategic and detailed. I especially like the chapter layouts with a Main message for managers ending each chapter.

Melinda M. Clark, Washington, DC
As a “get to the point with the important stuff” kind of person, I 100% appreciate the practical and brief style employed by Ms. Armstrong and Ms. Mitchell. They did indeed manage to provide the “essential” elements of a multitude of HR issues as well as concrete recommendations and observations! I’m passing this book along to both the new and the experienced supervisors & managers I know!

Chester Elton, coauthor, The Carrot Principle
Easy to use, and full of solid advice and information from diversity to interviews to legal issues. If you are HR professional, you should have this book at the ready every day.

N Kelly, Washington, DC
This is a great handbook for those of us working in a small business or at a nonprofit with a limited budget. It provides, in straightforward and easily understandable language, an overview of what you need to know about hiring, supervising, and firing staff. There are chapters on performance evaluation (always a worrisome topic), benefits and compensation and an appendix filled with a variety of sample forms that make this book instantly useful. Keep it handy!

Natalie Loeb, Marlboro, New Jersey
This is the most practical guide I have ever picked up. It provides concise tips for managers and HR professionals from interviewing to preparing for and conducting performance appraisals. The guidance and advice is easy to follow! Thank you for making it simple!

T. McCombs, Washington, DC
Whether you are a seasoned human resources professional or a novice, “The Essential HR Handbook” is an excellent resource with helpful tips, sample forms, and a roadmap for effectively managing common human resources matters.

Thomas W. Morris III, CMF, President, Morris Associates, Inc.
Sharon Armstrong and Barbara Mitchell knock it out of the park with this book. It’s tightly organized, well written and brief, and quick and easy to refer to. It truly is The Essential HR Handbook. Thank you for writing this book, Sharon and Barbara. We are buying copies for all our consultants so they have this focused wisdom close at hand when they need it.

Gloria R. Norman, President, Norman Consulting, Silver Spring, MD
I love this book! As an HR professional, I need focused, relevant information and solutions to a variety of HR-related issues. The Essential HR Handbook is a practical resource that’s organized with a glossary and index which makes finding, reading, and understanding HR issues easy. Thank You!

Stephen J. O’Connor, senior director of staffing, ESPN Inc.
This should be required reading for all owners of growing businesses and new managers launching their careers. Seasoned HR professionals will also find value in this quick guide to the essentials of managing people.

Ane Powers, Washington, DC
New or veteran manger, HR or operations manager, small or large organization…this guide calls for a convenient place on your shelf. Searching for a quick answer? Check out the well-organized table of contents. Looking for a template? Check out the appendix. Not sure what a term means? Check out the glossary. Need additional information and insight? Check out the bibliography. Armstrong and Mitchell have provided an excellent guide for all of us.

Rosemary B. Scott
The Essential HR Handbook is a home run when describing this comprehensive, accurate, interesting and well-written book. It is a great reference handbook that meets all the criterion for any business owner, manager, or human resourse consulting/management firm.

Paul R. Shibelski, SPHR, GPHR
I heard about this nifty little book from a friend and, although I’ve been in HR for nearly 30 years and read too many texts and popular “how-to” books on the subject, decided to give it a read. Even for an old hand like myself, I was impressed. The authors have made this a concise, readable book – truly a Handbook. It covers all the essential topics in an organized fashion that makes it easy on the reader to find the answers quickly without a lot of legalese to get in the way. I really like the sample documents they’ve included. The new manager or seasoned HR professional will appreciate having these examples to adapt and use. I highly recommend it to anyone in the field or who has the responsibility of managing others in the workplace. Bravo!