This might seem like an HR jargon discussion – only relevant to HR junkies – but actually, I think it does matter what name you use. ‘Appraisal’ has a very judgemental sound, it definitely feels like an experience that is ‘done’ to you, not one you take part in. Performance Review has the potential to be much more engaging – we tend to review things WITH someone else. One of our clients has recently started using Progress Review -because they want a greater focus on the journey, not just a snapshot of what has happened at a moment in time.

Of course, what matters is not what you call it, but what you do… give feedback, engage, motivate, direct…

On the other hand, ‘love appraisals’ has a much greater sense of fun than ‘love performance reivews’.