NASHUA – SkillSoft is offering professionals free access to three of its performance management courses to help people prepare for the annual performance appraisal season and to reduce the anxiety often associated with appraisals.

SkillSoft’s performance management courses are available in one-hour formats, delivering helpful information that can be easily applied to a variety of jobs, SkillSoft said.

SkillSoft said the series of courses is designed to help managers understand why performance management is important, while preparing them to conduct appraisals. The courses provide steps to prepare for an effective review and teach specific skills for analyzing and addressing performance problems, SkillSoft said. The courses pay special attention to giving feedback and to the difficult conversations that can sometimes lead to stress for managers and employees.

For more information on SkillSoft’s performance management courses giveaway, visit www.skillsoft.com/online/fy12/performance-management-appraisal/?srcID=PR.

– MARYALICE GILL