GB has struggled to have a consistent and effective formal annual performance review in place across our ten company locations spread across the state of Wisconsin. As part of our first DEI survey and focus groups, we learned that employees are looking for more guidance, transparency and support when it comes to career development and advancement. In addition, they are looking for opportunities to have a greater voice in decisions that affect their day-to-day work.

We decided it was time to re-imagine our annual performance review process, to include a greater emphasis on career development and support. To help create the revitalized vision, we engaged one of our newly created DEI Action Teams, Employee Growth and Development, and our DEI Director. The result was a new process and a new name to reflect the change of focus - Career Navigation Discussions (CND).

The process begins with a survey which all employees fill out to share their personal and professional goals, feedback on important issues, interest in growth and development opportunities, and any additional areas they would like to discuss.

All employees then meet with their managers to have a conversation centered around their current position, their need for additional/different support, their goals for career growth and development and future opportunities.

In 2023, over 740 employees engaged in their first official CND and over 120 managers in the company conducted their first CND after participating in a CND manager training.

These CNDs tightened up management processes and gave a greater voice to all employees. In addition, HR now has CND survey data that is being recorded in personnel files so that managers (and employees) can see their progression. In the future, the DEI Director will be able to use some of the feedback to help guide the development of DEI initiatives across the company