• To go over your work during the period in question.
• To find out what kind of training you need.
• To help you develop as a professional.
• To set goals for your future performance.
• To determine whether and when to promote you.
• To compensate you based on how well you perform.
• To find out how your skills fit into the corporate picture.

This last point is where it all starts. By measuring how effectively you and your coworkers carry out your responsibilities, your employer is also assessing how well it is meeting its overall goals.

Usually, corporate objectives are set by the executive committee and include overall goals for quality, customer service, finance, and teamwork. These four objectives are then translated into functional objectives that serve as guidelines for employees.

Corporate objectives are designed according to the mission, core values, and strategic plans of the company, and are intended to govern employees' actions and behavior. Employers expect their employees to fulfill the company's values.

When preparing for your performance review, think about ways in which you have exhibited the qualities your employer expects of you. Give specific examples not only of how you helped meet tangible objectives such as financial outcomes, but also of how you demonstrated those values the company holds in the highest esteem.

- Bill Coleman, Vice President of Compensation