Building a premium new hire experience requires the right onboarding software. Strategic onboarding planning combined with proper software solutions creates game-changing business improvements. The right software solution gets everyone engaged in the process, and it also saves time on repetitive tasks with automation. Best onboarding practices create memorable experiences for new hires, resulting in higher employee retention and engagement. Software enables HR professionals to complete these practices more efficiently while focusing on leadership rather than tedious administrative tasks.
Nine Ways Automation Fuels Onboarding Best Practices
Best Practice 1: Implement the Basics Prior to the First Day on the Job to Leverage Compliance
Build connections with new hires before their first day. Align new hires with buddies and other newcomers. Introduce the company and send out pre-hire paperwork.
Best Practice 2: Make the First Day on the Job Special to Leverage Connection
Research demonstrates the first day is critical for new employee success. Help new employees feel valued and special. Send pre-boarding surveys asking about preferences like favorite lunch. Use technology to automatically remind managers to personalize welcome gestures. Automate setup of essential resources like laptops and email accounts. Provide welcome gifts and meaningful connection opportunities.
Best Practice 3: Formalize Your Orientation Program to Leverage All 6 C's of Onboarding
Maintain consistency throughout the onboarding process. Implement systems of checks and balances. Use onboarding software focused on manager and buddy communication. Leverage onboarding chatbots in Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Workplace from Facebook.
Best Practice 4: Develop a Written Onboarding Plan to Leverage Clarity and Connection
Determine and formalize your onboarding plan. Share plans with hiring managers using illustrations and stories. Establish organizational buy-in for consistent onboarding culture. Communicate onboarding expectations throughout the organization.
Best Practice 5: Participation in Onboarding Is a Powerful Way to Encourage Communication
Move beyond compliance-focused checklists. Make onboarding participatory and experience-driven. Gather feedback from new hires about what works and what needs improvement. Create feedback learning loops for continuous enhancement.
Best Practice 6: Ensure That the Program Is Monitored to Ensure All 6 Onboarding C's Are Covered
Use technology to monitor programs over time. Track whether new employees access system information. Verify buddy assignments were completed. Monitor team member engagement through the system. Use onboarding dashboards to track utilization.
Best Practice 7: Use Milestones to Check in on Employee Progress to Leverage All 6 Onboarding C's
Schedule check-ins at critical milestones (30, 60, 90, and 120 days). Include a one-year employment check-in meeting. Address minor issues before they become significant problems. Treat new employees as team members rather than newcomers.
Best Practice 8: Engage Stakeholders in Planning to Leverage Connection
Reduce tedium for busy managers through automation. Assign scheduled meetings between new hires and key personnel. Set specific time guidelines for these meetings. Use automated reminders for meeting completion.
Best Practice 9: Be Crystal Clear with New Employees in Terms of Objectives, Timelines, Roles, and Responsibilities to Leverage Clarity
Provide comprehensive information including forms, activities, to-do lists, maps, and photos. Offer personalized onboarding access portals. Enable convenient storage and retrieval of essential information.
Conclusion
Onboarding initiates new hires into company culture and establishes the foundation for employee success and retention. Effective onboarding software should drive employee engagement, free managers to connect meaningfully with employees, and support implementation of best practices.
Transform Your Onboarding with Automation
See how Preppio's automation platform implements all nine best practices to deliver exceptional onboarding experiences that drive real business results.
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