Annual Performance Review Meeting

A manager sits down with an employee to discuss their performance over the past year, review set goals, provide feedback, and outline development areas for the upcoming year.

Dialogue

Listen and follow along with the conversation

Michael (Male)

Hi Emily, thanks for coming in. Let's start your annual performance review. I'd like to begin by discussing the goals we set for you last year and how you feel you've progressed.

Emily (Female)

Thanks, Michael. Overall, I feel quite positive about my progress. I think I've met most of my targets, especially regarding the client retention rate, which I managed to exceed by 5%.

Michael (Male)

That's excellent, Emily. Your client retention figures were indeed outstanding. We really appreciate your consistent effort there. However, I'd like to touch on your project management score. It was slightly below target.

Emily (Female)

Yes, I acknowledge that. I think the challenge was managing multiple large-scale projects simultaneously, which sometimes led to delays in initial planning phases. I've been working on improving my time management, though.

Michael (Male)

I understand. It's a common hurdle when taking on more responsibility. For the upcoming year, how about we set a development goal around advanced project planning and utilizing our new project management software more effectively? We could look into some training courses.

Emily (Female)

That sounds like a great idea. I'd definitely be interested in a training course, especially one that focuses on streamlining workflows and delegation. I think that would greatly benefit my efficiency.

Michael (Male)

Perfect. I'll look into some options for you. Overall, Emily, your performance has been very strong this year. Keep up the excellent work, especially with client relations. We'll schedule a mid-year check-in to see how you're progressing with your new development goals.

Emily (Female)

Thank you, Michael. I appreciate the feedback and the opportunity for further development. I'm looking forward to another productive year.

Vocabulary

Essential words and phrases from the dialogue

performance review

A formal meeting where a manager evaluates an employee's work over a period, like a year, to discuss achievements and areas for improvement.

goals

Specific targets or objectives set for someone to achieve in their job, often discussed in reviews to measure progress.

progress

The advancement or improvement made towards completing tasks or goals over time.

exceed

To do better than expected or required, like surpassing a target in sales or performance.

acknowledge

To admit or recognize that something is true or has happened, often used when accepting feedback.

hurdle

A difficulty or obstacle that must be overcome, common in professional contexts like managing projects.

delegation

The act of giving part of your work or responsibility to others, helping to manage time and tasks efficiently.

feedback

Comments or advice given to help someone improve their work, positive or constructive.

Key Sentences

Important phrases to remember and practice

I'd like to begin by discussing the goals we set for you last year and how you feel you've progressed.

This sentence uses 'I'd like to' for polite suggestions and 'how you feel you've progressed' to invite personal opinion; useful for starting formal discussions like reviews to encourage reflection.

Overall, I feel quite positive about my progress.

A simple way to summarize feelings using 'overall' for general assessment and 'quite positive' to express moderate satisfaction; great for responding to questions about achievements.

I think I've met most of my targets, especially regarding the client retention rate, which I managed to exceed by 5%.

This shows past achievements with 'I've met' (present perfect for recent past) and relative clause 'which I managed to exceed'; helpful for highlighting successes with specific details.

Yes, I acknowledge that.

A concise way to accept criticism politely; 'acknowledge' implies agreement without defensiveness, ideal in feedback situations to show professionalism.

For the upcoming year, how about we set a development goal around advanced project planning?

Uses 'how about' for suggesting ideas collaboratively and 'upcoming year' for future planning; useful in goal-setting to propose actions positively.

That sounds like a great idea.

A common positive response to suggestions; simple structure for agreeing and showing enthusiasm, often used in meetings to build rapport.

Overall, your performance has been very strong this year. Keep up the excellent work.

Provides positive feedback with 'overall' for summary and imperative 'keep up' to encourage continuation; essential for ending reviews on a motivational note.

I appreciate the feedback and the opportunity for further development.

Expresses gratitude using 'appreciate' for thanks; useful closing phrase in professional talks to show openness to growth.