The Importance of Onboarding.
Are your new hires feeling more like deer in the headlights than welcomed team members? You’re not alone. Onboarding new hires is tough! It requires advanced planning and buy-in from multiple players on your staff. But when they get it right, it pays off.
In a report commissioned by Glassdoor, the Brandon Hall Group found that organizations with a robust onboarding process achieved a remarkable 82% improvement in new hire retention and over 70% boost in productivity. This highlights the importance of a positive onboarding experience, especially since nearly 20% of employee turnover happens within the first 45 days. A successful onboarding process isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a critical investment in your company’s future success.
Let’s dive into 5 ways to boost your onboarding.
Effective Onboarding Strategies
1. Creating a Welcoming Environment
Pre-boarding Activities: Your onboarding efforts should start even before the employee’s first day. Sending out personalized welcome emails, along with a detailed schedule of their first week, can make a world of difference. This proactive approach ensures that new hires feel informed and valued from the outset.
Welcoming Kits: Nothing says “Welcome to the team!” like a thoughtful welcome kit. Consider including company swag (like branded mugs or t-shirts), essential tools, and resources related to the job. This not only fosters a sense of belonging but also equips your new hires with what they need to hit the ground running.
2. Structured Onboarding Processes
Checklists: A structured onboarding process is essential for setting the right expectations and making sure nothing falls through the cracks. Your checklist could include:
- Introduction to team members and key contacts.
- Setting up necessary technology and tools.
- Training sessions and opportunities to shadow experienced colleagues.
Regular Check-Ins: Don’t just set it and forget it. Schedule regular check-ins with HR and team leaders to gather feedback and address any concerns. This ongoing support helps new hires feel more connected and valued.
3. Using Behavioral Assessments to Enhance Onboarding
Understanding Employee Behavioral Assessments: Behavioral assessments are powerful tools that offer deep insights into personality traits and team dynamics. For example, our assessments can reveal how an individual’s natural tendencies can best be harnessed within the team. Beyond personality traits, we delve deeply into the motivators and demotivators of each employee to help leaders be sure they are communicating and coaching in the most targeted and effective ways.
One of the key advantages of using behavioral assessments during onboarding is the ability to tailor development plans to everyone. This approach ensures that employees feel valued and understood right from the start. Craft personalized development plans that play to your new hire’s strengths and address growth areas identified in their personalized employee behavioral profile.
Tailor Your Onboarding Process through Mentoring and Onboarding Buddies: Use employee personality insights to tailor your onboarding process. Pair new hires with mentors whose working styles complement their own. Onboarding buddies boost new employee productivity and employee satisfaction. Harvard Business Review research cites that new hires with buddies were 23% more satisfied with their overall onboarding experience compared to those without buddies.
4. Engaging Remote and Hybrid Employees
Virtual Onboarding Strategies: In today’s remote and hybrid work environments, it’s important to use video conferencing for face-to-face interactions. Implement virtual team-building activities to foster camaraderie, even from a distance. Be sure to take time for new hire introductions on company calls, using “break the ice” openers for comfortable introductions.
Continuous Communication: Utilize collaboration tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams to keep the communication flowing. Regularly solicit feedback through polls, cheers for new peers, and virtual coffee chats to continuously refine your process. Be sure to have a check in 90 days and 6 months out from the start date to get feedback on how well you did with the new hire’s onboarding experience.
5. Utilizing Technology for a Seamless Experience
Onboarding Software: Invest in user-friendly onboarding software that can automate mundane tasks and keep everything organized. Platforms like Talmundo or BambooHR can streamline the onboarding process and save valuable time.
E-Learning Modules: Take advantage of e-learning platforms for interactive training sessions. These modules can be tailored to specific roles, ensuring that every employee receives relevant and engaging training.
Checklist: Effective Onboarding Steps
- Pre-boarding Welcome:
- Send personalized welcome emails.
- Provide a detailed schedule for the first week.
- Personalized Onboarding Plan:
- Introductions to team and key contacts.
- Set up technology and tools.
- Behavioral Assessment Integration:
- Conduct assessments to understand personality traits.
- Align new hires with suitable mentors.
- Regular Check-ins and Feedback:
- Schedule initial meetings with HR and team leaders.
- Gather and act on feedback.
- Tech Setup and Training:
- Use onboarding software to streamline setup.
- Implement e-learning modules for training.
- Ongoing Support and Development:
- Continue mentorship programs.
- Offer continuous learning opportunities.
The Way Forward
Investing time and resources in a structured and thoughtful onboarding process can significantly impact your company’s employee retention and engagement. Utilize behavioral assessments to personalize the experience and integrate technology to make the process seamless, whether your employees are in the office, remote, or a bit of both.
Ready to transform your onboarding process and boost employee retention? Contact our team today to learn how our employee behavioral assessments can provide the insights you need to create a successful onboarding experience tailored to each new hire.
Remember, an exceptional onboarding process is not just about the first few days. It’s about laying the foundation for long-term success and creating an environment where new hires feel supported and engaged from the very start. By prioritizing onboarding, you’re not just welcoming employees—you’re setting your company up for future triumphs.
