Why Annual Appraisals Need a Rethink: Insights from HR Breakfast Zagreb

What happens when annual performance reviews cause more harm than good? That was the question at the heart of Gecko HRM’s May event in Zagreb, where over 50 HR professionals, team leaders and business decision-makers gathered for a powerful morning of discussion, reflection and fresh thinking on performance management.

Reframing Performance: From Formality to Strategic Growth

Hosted by Gecko HRM and 3Collective, the panel featured seasoned leaders including Katja Matić (Co-founder, 3Collective), Juraj Krnjević (Senior Director, PharmaS), and Branko Banjeglav (Managing Director, Agilcon), with facilitation by leadership coach Josipa Borić-Novosel.

Their conversation addressed a challenge that most organisations face: outdated, once-a-year performance reviews that fall short of supporting genuine employee growth.

The message was clear: effective performance management must be continuous, collaborative and aligned with both business objectives and employee development. Panellists shared how performance data, regular feedback loops, and adaptable digital tools are making a measurable difference.

Key Takeaways:

• Annual reviews are not enough. When feedback is infrequent, it becomes a formality rather than a motivator.
• Employees want to be involved. Including them in goal-setting boosts engagement and ownership.
• Middle managers need support. Many are promoted based on technical skills, not people management. Training, coaching, and user-friendly platforms like Gecko HRM can make all the difference.
• Digitalisation is essential. A flexible, intuitive tool enables structured, consistent feedback and helps HR drive data-informed decisions.
• Culture matters. Performance conversations only work when leaders build trust and psychological safety into their teams.

Watch the Full Panel Discussion

If you’re rethinking your approach to performance management, the full panel conversation is a must-watch. Learn from real-world examples and get inspired to transform annual reviews into something more meaningful.

Ready to move beyond outdated reviews? Book a demo with Gecko HRM and explore how our platform can help you implement a performance management process that drives results, supports compliance, and engages your people every step of the way.

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