5 Reasons Having an Onboarding Process Sets New Team Members Up for Success
Written By AD&V®
ABOUT THE AUTHOR | AD&V® is dedicated to advanced and energy-efficient sustainable architecture & interior design that enhances people’s experience of the world and improves their lives.
ONBOARDING FOSTERS GREATER EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT, JOB SATISFACTION, AND RETENTION.
We learned the hard way that not taking the time to onboard new team members is a huge mistake. Onboarding is the process of training and providing new employees with the resources they need to help them get acclimated to their new position.By creating a framework describing what needs to be done before, during, and after a new employee starts working at the company, you can control a new hire’s experience and make sure they have all the tools and information they need to set them up to succeed at your organization. Here are 5 benefits of designing a comprehensive onboarding process:
1. SETS CLEAR EXPECTATIONS
At the beginning of the onboarding process, the new hire is informed of what their onboarding process entails, what they will gain from the experience, and what support will be given to them along the way. This way the new team member better understands what is expected of them and it gives them clarity on what their responsibilities are from the start.You can’t expect someone to jump right in and start producing for you. Allowing some time for basic training, reviewing the company mission and values, as well as processes helps to set clear expectations from the start and prevents new employees from feeling lost when they arrive
2. KEEPS EVERYONE ON TRACK
Onboardings help keep everyone on track and focused on ensuring the new team is engaged and receiving all the information they need. The onboarding process determines, who they need to meet with, and what training they need to take each week.During AD&V’s onboarding process, we also give our Onboarding Team a weekly schedule so that they can track our new team member’s progress and check to see if they’re completing the required trainings and tasks, meeting the right people, and accessing the systems they need to do their job well.
3. PROVIDES A SENSE OF COMFORT
One of the ways that the onboarding process gets new team members engaged with their peers and involved in the office culture is through the buddy system. During the process, it’s common for a new hire to be assigned a buddy who they can turn to ask questions that inevitably arise.At AD&V we assign a buddy to our new team members. The buddy takes them to lunch, introduces them to the team, and ensures they get integrated and involved in the office culture.
4. ENCOURAGES COMMITMENT
During the onboarding process, we share with the new hire information details about the company, its goals, mission, vision, and values. This way, the new employee understands what the company stands for and how it operates.When new team members know the role they play and why it’s important, they’re more committed to their work and to the company’s success.
5. HELPS WITH EMPLOYEE RETENTION
The onboarding process is key to preventing employee turnover, which costs companies large amounts of time and money every year. Once a new hire is acclimated and engaged with the company, they are more likely to stick around. A study by Glassdoor found that companies with an effective onboarding process improved their new hires’ engagement rate by 82%.
A SUCCESSFUL SETUP
A company without an onboarding process can leave new employees feeling disengaged, unconfident in their role, and unhappy. We’ve seen firsthand how implementing an organized onboarding process provides clear expectations and comfort to new hires, keeps the team on track with the new team member’s progress, and helps prevent employee turnover. If your company doesn’t have an onboarding system, create yours to set up your new team members for success!