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Transforming Your Employee Onboarding To Be More Engaging
Don't waste your shot at a great first impression
Rameel Sheikh
November 07, 2023
What if…
You walk into a bustling office, buzzing with chatter and activity. You're ushered into a small conference room, handed a thick binder, and left alone with a laptop.
Ping.
Ah, an email. You're expecting a warm welcome message, perhaps an introduction to your new colleagues.
Instead it's a barrage of documents – tax forms, insurance paperwork, compliance training, and a dense employee handbook.
Gulp.
Your enthusiasm wanes. You hover your cursor over the next email.
You know it's likely going to be another stack of tasks.
And let’s be honest, you didn’t sign up for this.
So what do you do? Do you tackle the tasks or give in to confusion?
In today’s edition of The Bottleneck ⚙️ , we’ll explore employee onboarding — why the traditional initiation process can leave newcomers feeling lost rather than welcomed.
Let’s unravel this.
What’s Wrong with Employee Onboarding
Why you should care
The onboarding status quo isn't just broken – it's fundamentally flawed and counterproductive.
In a world where 54% of employees express dissatisfaction with their onboarding experience, it’s not just a matter of tweaking the process.
What's more, a staggering 51% of employees say they’d go “above and beyond” in their work if they had a top-notch onboarding experience.
So why do we settle for complacency?
By holding on to outdated practices, companies are essentially throwing talent retention and productivity out the window.
Employee Onboarding 101
3 tips if you are starting from zero
🛠️ Preparations Before Day One →
What if before day one even rolls around, your new recruits are already in the loop?
Rather than having a stack of papers waiting for their signature on the first day, send them out to the employee beforehand for electronic signature.
On their first day, give them a workstation that's set up just for them.
Here they can discover content that's designed to engage them, like a friendly note from their manager, first-day information, welcome messages and photos from new teammates, a glossary of company acronyms, and a virtual copy of your employee handbook.
🎼 Immersing in the Tribe and its Traditions →
Let's make introductions more than just a wave across the room. How about a team lunch or a casual coffee chat? And, to really make them feel at home, pair them up with a culture buddy who embodies the company spirit.
During lunch, I recommend laying out the map for them: roles, responsibilities, and how their journey contributes to the grand company saga.
🤝 Embed New Hires into the Team →
Often, the integration of a new hire to your team is overshadowed by the urgency of immediate tasks. So, how do you ensure that your new hires swiftly align with the team's rhythm?
Embedding a new hire into all team meetings and establishing one-on-one sessions with their manager and peers can be a game changer. Dedicating just 15 minutes a week, particularly during the first 60-90 days, transforms the onboarding experience, making it engaging and insightful.
Organizing a customer "meet and greet" is equally impactful, offering new hires a direct glimpse into the purpose and mission of your business.
The Hacks No One Does
3 unique tactics no one is doing
🚀 Timing & Impressions →
Picture this: The new hire walks in at 11 a.m., not the usual 9 a.m., and there's a sense of calm readiness in the air.
You've been able to:
have your coffee
sift through your emails
put out all the immediate fires
Now, let's add another layer.
Instead of outsourcing the welcome, the manager takes the lead. It's personal, and each introduction is a thoughtful revelation of the team's puzzle. "Hi, I'm Joe, and I shape our product by doing X," makes it click instantly.
This tactic turns the first day into a carefully crafted experience, ensuring new hires feel valued and connected from the get-go.
🎯 Clarify Expectations & Connect to the Bigger Picture →
New hires often grapple with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Understanding this dynamic is crucial.
Crafting a precise job description that details the tasks and expected results is essential, but here's the twist: you also show how the role is a piece of the bigger puzzle. By having the first 30, 60, and 90 days of the employee should be mapped out to avoid confusion.
It's like giving a sneak peek into the company's grand vision.
✨ Showcase New Talent with a Social Spotlight →
Introducing new talent should be more than a routine affair. Let's rethink the 'Meet the Team' post and transform it into a captivating narrative.
Why does this matter?
Well, a snappy introduction can turn heads and subtly tie a new team member's journey with the essence of your brand. You should delve into their passions, distinctive skills, and even those peculiar traits that make them pop.
Of course, only after a nod of consent.
Craft a story that doesn't just announce an arrival but weaves their tale effortlessly with your brand's narrative. The endgame: captivate your audience, lift spirits, and position your enterprise as a dynamic space cherishing its folks.
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