Sometimes being a new employee at a company can feel a lot like trying to navigate an island you’ve never been to before. You have a general idea of what your adventure will be like but are overall unaware of the new terrain. Think of your onboarding process like a map for your employees to help them navigate their surroundings and succeed in their new role. But how do you build an onboarding process that won’t leave your employees 'shipwrecked’? Keep reading as we review the 4 C’s of employee onboarding to help you craft an effective onboarding system for your incoming staff.
Why is Effective Onboarding Important?
While the obvious reason that onboarding is important is that it helps your employees adjust effectively, there are also many positive impacts a strong onboarding system can have on your company.
1) Enhances employee engagement
A strong onboarding system allows employees to feel a connection to the company. This results in all employees, new or old, feeling connected to the company’s mission, values and culture. When employees understand their role and how it contributes to the organization, they are more motivated and committed to their work.
2) Improves retention rates
Effective onboarding can help to reduce turnover rates because employees feel welcomed, supported and valued. Employees who have a positive onboarding experience are more likely to give a long-term commitment to a company.
3) Increases productivity
By creating a well-structured onboarding program, you can help new employees get up to speed faster and more effectively. This can cause them to learn their expectations and responsibilities quickly which can lead to increased efficiency and productivity.
4) Stronger employee relationships
New employees are more likely to grow closer to those around them if they feel welcomed. An effective onboarding process introduces new employees to the company's culture, values, and norms which can help them integrate into the team smoothly.
5) Cost efficiency
Training new employees well can actually save you money. If employees are properly integrated into the company, there is less funding needed for extensive additional training. Lower retention rates also reduce costs associated with frequent hiring and training of new employees.
6) Better brand reputation
Employees who have a good onboarding experience are more likely to speak positively about the company. This works to enhance the company’s reputation, which can help attract top talent during the hiring process.
The 4C’s of Employee Onboarding
Now that you understand the importance of a strong onboarding system, let’s review the 4C’s of the employee onboarding experience.
1) Compliance
It is important to share the policies and compliance standards with newly hired employees. This will help to set the tone right away. Employees can learn how your company functions and what is expected of them in their new roles. This also allows you to clearly define the values and goals of your organization to avoid any confusion.
2) Clarification
Did you get all that? Ensuring that new employees understand their role at the company is crucial to their success. It is important to check in with new employees to confirm that they understand their role during training sessions and during their first few weeks of work.
3) Culture
You must also consider the informal aspects of workplace culture. While the formal aspects are covered in the policies and compliance standards, it is also important to introduce new employees to the present norms and social interactions that typically occur at the company. For example, how meetings are conducted, workplace traditions, company subcultures, etc. If you want to learn more about company culture and all that it entails, read our previous blog post.
4) Connection
Introduce new employees to the people that they will be interacting with regularly. This can help the employee feel more settled and connected to those around them. It is also a good idea to inform current employees about the new staff members and encourage them to welcome and help the new employees as they adjust.
By keeping this onboarding framework in mind, you can ensure that your new employees transition smoothly and effectively into your company. If you want to learn more about the specifics of creating a great onboarding experience and training tips that will help your new employees succeed, stay tuned for our next blog post!
Now, all that said, onboarding employees can be a difficult process, and everyone is going to require different skills based on the nature of your company. For example, someone working at a restaurant may need more skills in being on their feet than someone working at an office who may need more analytical skills – both of these positions require very different onboarding processes. But what onboarding process best fits your company? If you are having trouble figuring this out, we can help you. Here at STEPS, we offer business management services that can help you create the perfect onboarding program that will set your employees up for success. Learn more about our services on our home page or reach out to us on our contact page.
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