It is a well-accepted business fact that it costs five times more to employ a new member of staff than it costs to retain an existing team member. That being said, it is not always possible to retain a new member of staff. Whether you’re looking to diversify your existing skillset, increase your employee base or expand your operations, hiring a new member of staff is often essential.
When it comes to hiring a new member of staff, the right onboarding process is vital for ensuring the highest efficiency rate and setting the right tone for the new working relationship.
1. Start Sooner Rather Than Later
When it comes to onboarding a new employee, it is usually a good idea to start the process sooner rather than later. The first day on any job can be a trying experience, but this prospect can be made easier by early onboarding. When an employee comes to their first day with a clear idea of team dynamics and has some relationship with team members, they are better able to hit the ground running.
Once a new employee has accepted the new position, it is a good idea to start the onboarding process. This can involve sending over more details about the possession and the work they are expected to undertake. It’s also a good idea to sign a new hire up for work intranet and communication software before their first day.
2. Set Clear Expectations
Ambiguity can be hugely damaging when it comes to the onboarding process. When you’re onboarding a new member of staff, you should try to be as clear and detailed as possible when you are setting guidelines and expectations. Making this critical information as clear as possible will help you to set the right expectations and ensure all parties are clear on their position and role within the working culture from the beginning.
3. Focus on Engagement
As inpulse.com explains, employee engagement is a hugely valuable metric for any business, but it can be particularly valuable when it comes to onboarding a new member of staff. Focusing on engagement when onboarding can help you to more quickly and effectively identify the needs and preferences of a new hire. This will enable you to more appropriately assign work and manage an individual within your specific working culture.
4. Educate Managers
The onboarding process is not only influenced by the new member of staff but the actions of the managers too. Taking the time to teach managers how to onboard and sending them specific information towards the new hire, before their first day, can help you to ensure the most effective onboarding process. In fact, a study from Google has found that managers who follow a checklist that involves setting a new hire up with a buddy and having monthly check-ins can improve productivity rates in the onboarding process by 25%.
5. Teach Dynamics
Onboarding a new employee does not only involve getting them familiar with their role and expectations of their work, but getting them comfortably situated within the new working dynamic is equally important. Teaching the new team dynamic and working culture can help to ensure the highest rate of employee satisfaction and long-term efficiency.