Strategies for Onboarding Success
An employee's onboarding experience can greatly affect their performance and how long they will stay with your company. Yet, creating a solid onboarding process is often an afterthought for small businesses. Onboarding a new employee is often rushed and not given the thought and attention it needs.
If you’re ready to create a process that will set your new hire up for success while adding value to your entire company, start by applying these two strategies.
Communicate clear expectations
Communication starts before the new employee's first day of work. Provide them with the needed details to prepare them for their first day. Letting them know what to expect will start them off on the right foot. This can include a schedule for the day, when and where to arrive, information for their point of contact, and a team handbook.
Expectations cannot be met if they are not understood. Take the time to work with your new hire to set goals and map out how the goals will be accomplished. Start with small, easily attainable items that will help your new employee feel accomplished, but not overwhelmed in their first few days or week on the job. Build on that to create long term goals for what they are expected to accomplish within the first 60-90 days on the job.
Create connections
Your new hire will need to be introduced and connected to both people and tools to accomplish their job. Create a plan that does both of these well.
For tools, ensure the new employee has access to everything they need to get their job done and stay up to date on company information. This can include software, email, and company documents. Provide operating procedures for how your company utilizes tools and training for tools that they don’t have experience with.
Forming meaningful relationships with coworkers is critical to effective teamwork and job satisfaction. Be intentional about scheduling time during onboarding for the new hire to make these connections. Some options to consider are:
Schedule a team lunch during the employee's first week
Invite a small group for coffee breaks
Arrange one-on-one time with members of your Leadership Team
Provide a mentor
Creating these connections will not only help your new hire assimilate to the team, but it will also be a priceless opportunity for you to share more about your company culture with them.
Utilizing the two strategies above will set you, your team, and your new hire up for success. If you are looking for more insight on successful onboarding, we dig deeper into these strategies and provide easy-to-implement tools in The Onboarding Process. This book breaks down seven, simple C’s that will assist you in creating an effective system for your small business and will guide you through
How to collaborate with your team for a fluid onboarding process.
What to communicate when and how.
Solutions to common onboarding challenges.
Details of compliance necessary to protect your company and employees.
Clarifying expectations every step of the way for the new hire.
Connecting your new hire to the people and tools needed to succeed.
Strategies to integrate your new hire into your company culture.
“Client satisfaction is directly related to employee satisfaction. Starting a new employee off with proper expectations and understanding of the company’s vision is wise. Creating a sound process so that your entire team is in alignment is genius. Thankfully, in this book you get access to that genius and all the steps in the process.” —JOHN D. HANSON, President Accelerated Revenue Inc.
Grab your copy of The Onboarding Process today. Or if you are ready to implement and need a guide, our HR Course for Small Businesses is now available. .
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