The Art of Welcoming New Talent: Insights from the Front Lines
By Kraig Kleeman
“First impressions last—especially when you can’t take them off mute. Let’s make our onboarding as memorable as our Monday morning coffees.” – Kraig Kleeman, CEO
Introduction
Welcome to the team! Whether you are just joining us or helping to greet new people, the initial days at a fresh job can truly establish the atmosphere for your whole experience with the organization. I have led many onboarding procedures and witnessed the successful ones as well as those that were not. Here is my understanding of how to create an onboarding journey that connects with new employees and encourages lasting commitment and achievement.
Stories from the Trenches
Allow me to guide you through two memories that are particularly strong in my thoughts – one was excellent, and the other, not quite so. I recall an occasion at a lively technology company where their process of welcoming new employees was truly remarkable. The new developer got a special welcome package sent to their home before they ever came into the office. It wasn’t just regular promotional items; it was a selection of thoughtful gifts and an in-depth guide for their initial week. As soon as they entered, each hour had a schedule that included meeting people, making plans for the strategy and also having a friendly lunch with their group leader. What was the outcome? By the end of the week, the new employee was already helping with projects and felt like an important part of our group.
However, one finance company completely failed to impress. Picture your first day filled with constant paperwork, watching long and dull compliance videos for hours, and having to wait while IT fixes problems with setting up your email. The new financial analyst did not feel noticed or part of the team. After the week ended, they chose to look for different jobs where they thought people would welcome them better at the beginning.
What I’ve Learned Works Best
- Communication is key: From the moment you accept a job offer, make sure to maintain open lines of communication. Inform your new employee about what they should anticipate and be available to respond to their questions. This early communication creates a friendly and inviting atmosphere from the beginning.
- Tailor the onboarding process: Fit both the job position and the unique abilities and career journey of each person. When individuals notice the hard work you put into their initial days, they will contribute in a similar way to their positions.
- Start making networks soon: Assist newcomers in integrating into the company’s social and professional network by arranging meetings with important people and their direct coworkers. In that new business I talked about, a casual lunch with the chief executive officer and some teammates had a significant impact.
- Create a method for new employees to share their thoughts on joining the company. This will allow you to smooth out any problems for people who will join later and also demonstrate that their opinions are important to you.
Smooth Sailing: Tips for a Better Onboarding
- Make ready before they come: Finish all the ordinary tasks before the first day. Complete forms, computer arrangements, and organization things in advance.
- Organize an engaging initial day by combining some administrative work with lively activities. Make sure they immediately sense the vibrant atmosphere of your company’s way of life.
- Customized Training: Leave behind the training modules that are made for everyone. Provide sessions that matter and keep attention, designed for the particular job.
- Keep giving support: It’s not enough to only meet in the initial week. Make it a habit to have frequent contacts, which demonstrates continued help and advice.
- Incorporate discussions about culture prominently in the orientation process: It’s very important for newcomers to learn about the company’s usual ways and what it values so they can settle in well.
Wrapping Up
Onboarding is more than just a list of tasks; it represents the start of a relationship. By ensuring that each step is considerate and interactive, you not only increase team spirit but also create a base for commitment and efficiency. In my experience with The New Workforce, putting the focus on a human-centered approach during the onboarding period has significantly changed things. It is important to give attention to those initial days.
About Kraig Kleeman
Kraig Kleeman is a highly successful entrepreneur, author, and showrunner. If his accomplishments and aspirations were to draw inspiration from natural icons, he could be described as a fusion of Elon Musk’s visionary approach to business and Mick Jagger’s electrifying stage presence. He possesses keen business acumen and a flair for captivating performances that awe audiences.
Kraig’s entrepreneurial spirit is boundless, as evidenced by his track record of founding a tech company and taking it from nothing to $30 million in sales, in less than four years. His newest venture, CEO Branding Worldwide, is growing by triple digits, quarter over quarter. While some may liken his abilities to a Midas touch, others prefer to think of it as transforming companies into profitable ventures instead of turning things into gold!
