Crowe Horwath LLP eliminates annual performance evaluations and ratings

CHICAGO, May 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its dedication to innovation in the workplace, Crowe Horwath LLP recently announced the redesign of its internal performance management program. Mainstays of the professional services culture, such as cascading goals, formal annual evaluations and traditional ratings for individuals, are out. "Measuring What Matters" is in. Crowe is one of the largest public accounting, consulting and technology firms in the U.S. The new program will roll out on June 1.

"One of our themes for the past year has been to measure what matters," said Julie Wood, Crowe chief people officer. "But our performance evaluation program was focused on compliance and looking backward rather than focusing on career development and looking forward. Our environment is very dynamic. The work we do and how we do it is always evolving. We need our approach and process to reflect that. We will be more focused on the future and helping build leaders at all levels of the firm as we move ahead."

Some of the other features in the "Measure What Matters" program will include:

• Measuring accomplishments against plans by progress indicators rather than a traditional rating scale;
• Engaging in regular check-ins between individuals and their leaders to build relationships and focus on progress;
• Focusing on career growth and leadership development;
• Integrating feedback and coaching into day-to-day interactions through a simple feedback process;
• Increasing the skills and capabilities of performance managers, including required training through the firm's virtual Crowe Horwath University; and
• Driving conversations about key strategic priorities, including mobility, time off, travel preferences and continued learning.

"It was time to move away from the traditional rating scale used to assign a formal 'rating' to each person," Wood added. "This new program is a work in progress, so we will be refining it and asking our people for their feedback as we move forward, similar to a crowdsourcing approach. This new process will then be adjusted and improved throughout the year. We are excited to start this journey and to focus on higher quality coaching conversations rather than being bogged down in administrative and compliance related performance activities."

This is just one more step Crowe has taken to be innovative in the professional services market. In December, the firm implemented a new mobility strategy as part of its approach to attracting and retaining the best talent, allowing personnel to work where they'll be most productive. The firm has also implemented a more casual approach to dress, in line with the nature of work that needs to be completed on a given day.

To learn more about Crowe, visit Crowe Careers.

About Crowe Horwath
Crowe Horwath LLP (www.crowehorwath.com) is one of the largest public accounting, consulting, and technology firms in the United States. Crowe uses its deep industry expertise to provide audit services to public and private entities while also helping clients reach their goals with tax, advisory, risk and performance services. Crowe is recognized by many organizations as one of the country's best places to work. Crowe serves clients worldwide as an independent member of Crowe Horwath International, one of the largest global accounting networks in the world. The network consists of more than 200 independent accounting and advisory services firms in more than 120 countries around the world.

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