Elements of an Effective and Efficient Employee Onboarding Program

Companies often put so much time and effort into the recruitment process that they forget one very important detail:

What happens when a new employee arrives for their first day on the job?

A successful on-boarding program makes a world of difference for a new hire. Not only does it help them to feel comfortable amongst colleagues and managers; it also ensures that they fully understand their role within the organization from Day 1.

Generally speaking, on-boarding goes slightly beyond a typical employee orientation. On-boarding plans are designed to familiarize a new employee with the overall goals of an organization and provide support as they begin their first projects or assignments.

And while some companies choose to skip on-boarding for the perceived cost, an effective on-boarding program really doesn’t require a pile of additional resources. All it takes is a little planning and some help from your current staff or personnel services.

3 Keys to Developing a Great Employee On-boarding Program

Here are just a few key ways to develop your organization’s on-boarding procedure.

1. Plan Ahead - An employee’s on-boarding experience truly begins with their first day on the job. However, there are a number of things you can do in advance to reduce the number of administrative tasks that a new employee has to complete. Providing all new hires with any forms that they will need to read and sign beforehand can save a remarkable amount of time on their first day. It also reduces the number of mental disruptions that a new employee experiences and allows them to fully focus on their environment. You may also want to consider emailing any orientation documents—such as your employee handbook—so that a new employee can read through them before they start. 
2. Keep Things Simple - Starting a new job is always a bit nerve-wracking. Throwing a ton of information at a new employee from the second that they arrive is never a good strategy. Spending time explaining trivial details—such as how to use the photocopier—isn’t either. With an effective on-boarding program, you should aim to present the most information about your organization and their role within it in an easy-to-digest manner. 
3. Customize the Experience - A standard orientation process usually involves touring the workplace, meeting colleagues and filling out forms. An on-boarding program should feel much more individualized. Since everyone has different professional preferences—such as their preferred management style—this is the perfect time to initiate a discussion about how to best manage and work with your new employee’s needs. Make sure they know that you are committed to their individual contribution to the team. Spend time discussing your investment in helping them develop their career within the organization. These personal touches help build a mutually beneficial employer-employee relationship from the get-go that will benefit your organization overall.

More Top Tips for Developing a Great Employee On-boarding Program:

• Tailoring an Employee On-boarding Program to the Position and Candidate
• Setting Expectations During New Hire On-boarding

To learn more about how to create a successful on-boarding program for your organization, contact the helpful staff at Sparks Group. We would love to work with you to build a great program for you and your team.