Digitising Performance Management: Lessons from MESI
Jelena Rašula, Head of Marketing
Performance management is widely recognised as critical, yet rarely executed well. Gartner’s research shows that only 2% of CHROs believe their current approach truly works. The challenge is not importance, but execution.
In a recent discussion with MESI, Urška Kajtner (Head of Operations) and Petra Frčej (HR Manager) shared how they transformed performance management from a formal obligation into a value driven process through digitalisation. The panel was led by Marko Perme (CEO of Gecko HRM).
What Was The Real Problem: Misconceptions and Misalignment
Performance management often fails long before any system is introduced. The root cause lies in how organisations understand it.
A common misconception is that this is primarily an HR responsibility. In reality, it is a leadership process, with HR acting as an enabler. Another is the belief that employees avoid feedback. In practice, most employees actively seek clarity, direction, and regular conversations about their development.
When these expectations are not aligned, even the best designed process struggles to deliver value.
How Did Performance Management Look Like Before Digitalisation: Fragmented and Ineffective
At MESI, performance conversations existed, but they lacked real impact. The process was largely driven by compliance requirements rather than meaningful outcomes.
There was limited visibility into whether conversations were happening, and even less understanding of their quality. Documentation was spread across different tools, making it difficult for HR to track progress or identify gaps. In many cases, the process became a formality rather than a driver of performance.
Why Change Was Necessary
As MESI grew, the limitations of this approach became more apparent. The organisation needed a more structured and consistent way to manage performance. Key drivers for change included:
- Increasing administrative burden on HR
- Lack of centralised and reliable data
- Inconsistent experiences across teams
- Growing demand for clearer expectations and development conversations
The ambition was not just to improve efficiency, but to create a process that genuinely supports both people and business performance.
What to Look for in a Digital Solution
Digitalisation was not about adding complexity. It was about enabling a simple process at scale. For MESI, this meant finding a solution that supports the process without overdefining it. Usability was critical. If the system is not intuitive, adoption quickly becomes a challenge, especially for managers.
At the same time, the solution needed to address real problems rather than simply digitise existing inefficiencies
How to Make It Work: Leadership Enablement
One of the most important lessons from MESI’s journey is that technology alone does not solve performance management.
Leaders must understand how to lead meaningful conversations and see the value for their teams. This required focused effort, including training on how to give constructive feedback and how to approach more open discussions.
Time constraints were a common concern, but once managers recognised the impact on team clarity and performance, adoption became significantly easier.
What Does the New Approach Look Like: Continuous, Structured, Simple
Today, MESI runs a more structured yet flexible process that is embedded into everyday work.
Instead of relying on a single annual event, performance management is continuous. Monthly check ins focus on progress, while the annual conversation brings together a broader reflection on performance, feedback, and future development.
Supported by a single system, the process now provides:
- Clear visibility for employees, managers, and HR
- Consistency across teams
- Reliable data for better decision making
The shift is not just operational. It reflects a change in mindset, from episodic evaluation to ongoing dialogue.
Ready to Simplify Your Performance Management?
If you want to move from fragmented processes to a structured, scalable approach, Gecko helps you build performance management that actually works.
Book a demo and see how you can turn performance management into a continuous, value driven process
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