What's the best way to onboard new employees from a 50,000 foot view?

Ask Katy Perry

Onboard? Try that in my small town

Give them this speech - “here’s the deal. You come here and do what I tell you to do for 8 hours then I’ll give you some money. Got it?”

Let's all take a step back and circle the wagons

In general, mentorship with the caveat that the mentor have a vested interest (e.g. bonus, promotion is dependent, etc.)

HR can only do the basics administratively

New employees need clear instructions.

1. Add oil.
2. Turn on fryer.
3. Wait for oil to get hot.
4. Add fries.
5. Pull fries out after X minutes.

quote:

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onboard

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Jet Packs

Just like Marines

My best advice is to spin up a tiger team to iterate and put some cycles into this to identify quick wins.

Piss on their desks. After that, they'll fall in line and respect your authority.

From a high-level perspective, effective onboarding should aim to familiarize new employees with the organization's culture, provide them with the tools they need to succeed, and establish a sense of belonging. Here's a bird's-eye overview of how it can unfold:

1. **Pre-boarding Preparation**: Ensure all equipment, access, and workspace setups are ready before the employee’s start date. Share a welcome packet or an overview of what to expect.

2. **A Warm Welcome**: Create a structured first day or week that includes introductions to team members, a tour of the workplace (physical or virtual), and an engaging orientation session to communicate the company's mission, values, and goals.

3. **Provide Clear Role Insights**: Outline the new hire’s job responsibilities, expectations, and how their role fits into the broader company objectives. Introduce them to their immediate team and key collaborators.

4. **Facilitate Training and Development**: Offer role-specific training and provide resources for professional growth. Encourage learning through mentorship or peer guidance to ease their transition.

5. **Foster Social Connections**: Help the employee build relationships by organizing casual meet-and-greets or assigning a buddy/mentor to answer questions and navigate company culture.

6. **Encourage Feedback and Questions**: Open channels for them to share their onboarding experience and make adjustments where needed. Regular check-ins during the first few months can be invaluable.

7. **Set Milestones**: Outline 30-, 60-, and 90-day goals to help them gauge their progress and establish a sense of achievement as they integrate into the team.