Onboarding is the process by which new employees are trained and welcomed into their new positions. It is an often overlooked step but a crucial one. Establishing best practice guidelines for your company can make the process more enjoyable and efficient for everyone involved.
Not convinced?
As reported by Sapling, Great employee onboarding can improve retention by 82%.
The Goal of Onboarding Practices
Help New Hires get Acclimated to Organization
Use the employee onboarding process to familiarize your new hires with the company values and organizational structure. One practice PromoSpark has implemented is providing a small card to hang in their cubicle which lists the company's mission and values. Other helpful handouts we provide include phone extension charts and individual position checklists.
Make Employees Feel Part of the Team
Don't assume camaraderie and mentorships will happen on their own. Instead, make a concerted effort to include new hires in the company culture through an assigned buddy or mentor. Not only does this help the new employee form a bond with their coworkers, but it can help existing employees get out of a rut or burnout.
For every new hire at PromoSpark we have an informal happy hour and set up job shadowing so new hires get a complete idea of the company.
Increase Productivity with Training and Access to Resources
A Bamboo HR survey found that 76 Percent of New Employees Want On-the-Job Training. Thorough and interactive training helps new employees understand their job duties and get up to speed. Provide a list of resources so new hires can save time and energy in finding answers to their questions.
A simple way to make things easier? Set up the most common links your new hire will need as icons on the desktop for easy access.
Benefits of an Onboarding Kit with Employee Swag
Bolster Employee Engagement
A welcome kit can help establish a new hire's mindset and motivation. An inspirational quote inside a notebook, a t-shirt with the company motto, or a video from the CEO are examples of messaging within an onboarding kit that can inspire and engage new hires on day one.
Connect with Employees who WFH or Flex
For out of office workers, having the proper tools for the job is crucial in feeling confident in their ability to do the job. An onboarding kit with functional and fun items is a great way to engage work from home or flex employees who might otherwise miss out on the company culture and office atmosphere.
Maintain a Consistent Brand Identity
In terms of internal marketing, an onboarding kit could likely be your employee's first interaction with the company brand. Presenting a clear brand identity from day one means there will be better brand advocacy as your new hires become brand ambassadors.
What to Include in your Onboarding Kit
Apparel - Tees, Hoodies, Polos, Jackets, & More
Branded apparel provides a visual reinforcement of team work. It also can help direct the expected dress code of new hires. A custom t-shirt might suggest a more casual office, whereas a logo embroidered button up suggests business attire. For customer facing representatives uniforming with branded apparel is a must.
Drinkware - Stay Hydrated and Reduce Single Use Waste
Reusable drinkware is not only a great way to reduce single use waste, but one of the most popular and well used promotional products. Options include fully customizable water bottles, coffee mugs, tumblers, and more.
Office Essentials - Notebooks, Pens, & Organizational Tools
Your new hires will need a place to store all the information learned during onboarding. Provide the tools to ensure they can start working on the right foot. Nothing is worse than being derailed from a first assignment by having to find the necessary supplies to begin.
Laptop Bag - An Essential for Flex Workers & Travelers
If your office is like one of the many who are currently operating half in the office and half at home, then a laptop bag or backpack is an essential for these hybrid employees. Not only does a proper laptop bag protect your company tech but it offers another branding opportunity.
Something Fun - All Work and No Play Makes a Dull Onboarding
Snacks, Fidget Toys, & Gadgets are just a few of the options available as fun customized merchandise for onboarding kits. A small item not work related can help positively influence your new hire's opinion of the company and possibly serve as an ice breaker with the rest of the team.
Next Steps
Are you ready to start building your custom branded onboarding kit but need to review products? Check out our guides to corporate merchandise and work from home employee gifts. When you are ready, reach out and we can help pick the best promotional products for your brand, unique to your needs.
Let's work together to turn new hires into loyal brand ambassadors!
Want to learn about employee retention?
Check out our other blog posts on the matter including Ideas to Avoid Turnover and Appreciation Gifts with No Minimums.