3.11 | Forward Progress

A Forward Progress will progress a CTC Entrepreneur forward in their journey to achieving their dreams. See what we did there? But in all seriousness, we consider our time together and the development of one another as a nonnegotiable. It’d be a total disservice to CTC and its entrepreneurs if we didn’t make real talk a priority in schedules, and sincere engagement an obligation for us all. 

Forward Progress allows for discussions around goal setting, performance, planning, feedback and evaluation. It’s a monthly face to face meeting where supervisors sit with their direct reports and they hold each other accountable. It’s not a one way dictation. Forward Progress meetings are conversations. They are a platform for our entrepreneurs to reflect introspectively, grow, and develop their business acumen. They are designed to promote vulnerability, true introspection, an honest discussion around opportunities, and a great celebration of successes.

Decisions about wage and salary increases are made at CTC’s discretion, but generally speaking will be based on an Entrepreneur ’s performance as it’s revealed in Forward Progresses as well as an evaluation of the Entrepreneur ’s role and responsibilities and overall company performance.  An Entrepreneur’s Forward Progress will have a direct effect on any changes in compensation.  For this reason, among others, it is important to prepare for Forward Progress meetings and to participate in them fully. However, no Entrepreneurs are automatically guaranteed any compensation changes or increases as a result of Forward Progresses, and any decisions about changes to Entrepreneur  wages are always made at CTC’s discretion. Further, as employment at CTC is at-will, nothing in this policy or Handbook creates or is intended to create a promise or representation of continued employment for any Entrepreneur . That is, completion of Forward Progresses does not entitle Entrepreneur s to remain employed by CTC for any definite period of time or alter the at-will nature of the Entrepreneurs employment.

DIRECTIONS

WHY

Forward Progress is designed for the supervisor and the Entrepreneur to discuss his/her current job tasks, encourage and recognize attributes, discuss positive, purposeful approaches for meeting work-related goals and are used as planning sessions. Together, Entrepreneur and supervisor discuss ways in which the Entrepreneur can accomplish goals or learn new skills.  Forward Progress meetings are designed for the Entrepreneur and his/her supervisor to make and agree on new goals, skills, and areas for improvement.  

Setting KPIs

When

• Schedule is set by supervisor.
• If they don’t exist or need updating, supervisor and employee should set KPIs for the role together.

What

KPIs, or Key Performance Indicators, are measurable outcomes that demonstrate whether or not work is having the intended positive impact.

Entrepreneur:

• Come prepared with KPIs that measure the responsibilities in your Position Description as directly as possible.

Supervisor:

• Be prepared to guide KPI setting so that KPIs are measurable, job-related, and ladder back up to the goals of CTC for the year.

How

• 5 Steps to Set and Track Key Performance Indicators: https://www.successagency.com/growth/2017/05/09/setting-key-performance-indicators/
• Goals should be structured and phrased in such a way that there is ZERO ambiguity as to whether or not it was completed successfully at the end of the quarter.

Time (30 minutes)

• ALL 30 minutes dedicated to creating goals.

Normal Forward Progress

When

• Schedule is set by supervisor.
• After KPIs are set, and before the final meeting of the quarter.

What

• Form is broken into four sections:
  • Goals | Discuss progress made on goals.
  • Day to Day | Discuss major projects entrepreneur is working on day to day, and team dynamics.
  • TMYD | Are you on track with TMYD? How can I help?
  • Managing Up Moment | A moment where the entrepreneur is “managing up” and discussing a time their supervisor’s actions/behavior impacted them directly.

How

Entrepreneur:

• Fill out and submit your form prior to the Forward Progress Meeting
• Please include any additional notes in your summary, such as whether anyone has helped impact your progress, as well as resources or tools that helped your workflow for that period.

Supervisor

• During the meeting:
  • Review the filled-out form with the Entrepreneur during the scheduled Forward Progress.
  • Provide feedback, direction, advice, and reinforcement on progress and performance.
  • Follow up tasks and assignments should be recorded in Asana and assigned to Entrepreneur or Supervisor during the meeting with due dates.
• Following the meeting:
  • Supervisor will submit their summary recap of the meeting in the manager review.
  • Any additional notes during the actual meeting are to be placed in the manager review as well.

Time (30 minutes)

• Goals | 10 minutes
• Day to Day | 10 minutes
• TMYD | 4 minutes
• Managing Up Moment | 6 minutes
• Note | Please allow time for finishing up the manager review and submitting it following Forward Progress with your Entrepreneurs.

End-of-Quarter Forward Progress

When

• Schedule is set by supervisor.
• Last meeting of the quarter is to review whether KPIs have been achieved, as well as discuss overall impressions and performance over the past three months.

What

• Template is broken into four sections:
  • Goal Review for Quarter | Review KPIs, celebrate progress, discuss what needs to change for missed goals.
  • Day to Day Accomplishments for Quarter | Discuss what you spent your time on, what you’re most proud of, biggest opportunities, and overall performance.
  • TMYD | How is your pursuit going, and are you in good standing?
  • Managing Up Moment | What did your supervisor do well to support you this quarter, what could they have done better?
  • Cheers, Comments, Concerns | Who/what are you grateful for? Any issues you want to flag?

How

Entrepreneur:

• Fill out the template prior to Forward Progress meeting.
• Please include any additional notes in your summary, such as whether anyone has helped impact your progress as well as resources or tools that helped your work flow for that period.

Supervisor

• During the meeting:
  • Review the filled-out form with the Entrepreneur during the scheduled Forward Progress.
  • Provide feedback, direction, advice, and reinforcement on progress and performance.
  • Follow up tasks and assignments should be recorded in Asana and assigned to Entrepreneur or Supervisor during the meeting with due dates.
• Following the meeting:
  • Supervisor will submit their summary recap of the meeting in the manager review.
  • Any additional notes during the actual meeting are to be placed in the manager review as well.

Time (30 minutes) 

• Goal Review for Quarter | 6 minutes
• Day to Day Accomplishments for Quarter | 6 minutes
• TMYD | 6 minutes
• Managing Up Moment | 6 minutes
• Cheers, Comments, Concerns | 6 minutes
• NOTE | As a supervisor please allow time to finish and submit your manager reports following Forward Progress with your Entrepreneurs.

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