Onboarding is the series of processes for transitioning a new hire into a productive employee. Without a strategy and defined processes, new hires can flounder and not reach their potential.
Source: Agri Marketing, October 2016, page 16. Link. Erika Osmundson provides guidance in 6 milestones for developing an effective on-boarding program.
- Pre-arrival
- First impressions (1st week)
- Getting acquainted (first 30 days)
- Settling in (first 90 days)
- Adjusting (6 months)
- Engaged (12 months)
INSIGHTS: These well-organized and defined processes are rarely executed with new hires. However, if executed well, proper onboarding results in better employees and saves considerable cost over time. Similarly, onboarding customers to new services and welcoming new customers will be more successful if an onboarding strategy is defined and executed.