Approach various performance appraisal consulting companies, and find out what they have to offer

Many companies specialize in performance appraisal consulting, so this would be the most logical place to begin your search for the expertise you need.

I recommend: Grote Consulting is well-known in the world of performance appraisal consultants. Other companies offering performance appraisal consultancy services are The Waters Consulting Group, Westminster Associates and COHRE (Center for Organizational and Human Resource Effectiveness).

Avail yourself of performance appraisal consulting services when purchasing appraisal software

Often companies that sell performance appraisal software also offer expert consulting services to help you use their software more effectively. If you were planning to purchase their software anyway, this can often amount to free performance appraisal consulting service.

I recommend: CyberLink offers consulting in addition to its performance appraisal software. And Halogen provides your choice of web-based training and consulting or instructor-led training, available either on-site or at the nearest Halogen office.

Bring in an executive trainer or coach who has experience in performance appraisal consulting

Executive coaching by an experienced performance appraisal consultant can be a real boon to your company's appraisal program. In addition to giving you or your managers advice on performance appraisal issues they face, the executive coach's job is to appraise and help improve your manager's own performance in every aspect of his or her job.

I recommend: GottaGettaCoach! and Working Resources provide executive coaches who can help you better address your company's performance appraisal problems.

Consider performance appraisal consulting companies that have different ideas and methods

New ideas and fresh perspectives can often help revive a less than successful assessment program. Stay open to the ideas of those performance appraisal consultancy firms that buck the conventional wisdom. Their ideas just might work for your company.

I recommend: Moravec & Associates sees performance appraisal a bit differently than most other companies do. This firm believes that the real performance appraisal experts are not the managers but the employees, and its approach reflects that philosophy.

Find out what performance appraisal consultants have said about successful appraisals

Seeking out information previously presented by various performance appraisal specialists might be considered a passive form of performance appraisal consulting. Consider checking out what the experts have said about the subject if paid consulting services are outside your budget. Even if you are able to pay for performance appraisal consulting, this information can still prove valuable.

I recommend: Free Management Library offers "The Basics of Conducting Employee Performance Appraisals," which guides you step-by-step through the activities necessary for a successful performance appraisal. SME Toolkit and Excellence 2.0 offer tips for more effective performance appraisal. And well-respected performance appraisal expert Dick Grote, of Grote Consulting offers his ideal assessment form for performance appraisal.

Visit websites that provide free performance appraisal phrases or forms to improve your appraisals

If you're a "do-it-yourselfer" or simply need a little help with your appraisals while deciding whether or not to use a consulting company, try using some of the free performance appraisal phrases offered on various websites.

I recommend: Safari Books Online and BNET Business Network both provide online access to performance appraisal phrases.