Will Rypple make a Splash?

Rypple is a web-based social performance management tool which provides a more collaborative and social approach to performance management.  The system allows for continuous conversation between employee, manager and other team members.  The software employs various game mechanics, like badges, which can be custom-built to reflect a company’s own values.  At the same time it provides a platform to create ‘social’ goals for teams and managers. Goals can be shared and employees can join up their goals and invite others to contribute.  Other team members can comment, rate and provide feedback on an individual’s performance. Employees are encouraged not to sit back and wait for feedback; social performance tools encourage you to check and see how you’re doing.

Founded in 2008, Rypple have raised $13 million in funding and can boast Facebook as one of their clients but will it catch on? Rypple’s social performance platform certainly provides a way for teams to communicate effectively and targets can be easily monitored on a daily basis.  It’s great for rewarding a job well done but it doesn’t take away the need for private one to one meetings to give constructive criticism.  Making your performance management process agile is all about making it continuous and constant and social performance tools do that. However, they don’t take over the need for an annual review. 

The concept is good and Rypple have certainly made a splash in the HCM world by recently being acquired by Sales Force. Furthermore, they’ve recently launched a new android app for mobile use. l’ll be writing more about social performance management tools next month.