Businesses today are struggling with worker retention. Remote work possibilities have opened up endless job possibilities, and employee longevity is no longer the norm.
One effective way to increase worker retention is a detailed, thorough onboarding program.
According to Glassdoor, onboarding improves new hire retention by 82% and productivity by more than 70%.
Given these statistics, it’s not surprising that employee onboarding processes have become a crucial component of successful organizations.
Bringing new members onto a virtual team can be challenging. Without an in-person orientation, it’s difficult for new hires to get up to speed and become productive members of the organization. That’s why having a comprehensive and effective onboarding process is so important for virtual teams.
What Is Onboarding?
Onboarding is the process in which you integrate new employees into the company culture, teach them their roles and responsibilities, and equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to become productive members of the team.
Unfortunately, many onboarding programs are much too simple, covering only the necessary paperwork and introductions. This leaves the employee feeling unsure and worried as they try to navigate their first months on the job.
Effective onboarding programs set clear expectations, provide necessary resources and information, and help new employees become fully integrated into the virtual team culture.
Why Is Onboarding Important?
When new hires immediately receive structured and thorough onboarding training, it creates a positive employee experience.
Activities such as orientation to company policies and procedures, introductions to key team members, training for job-specific tasks, and clarification of performance expectations ensure that employees feel welcomed, supported, and empowered from day one.
Why is your onboarding process so important:
- It improves productivity. With good onboarding, new team members can get up to speed faster and start contributing to the team. They have the information and access they need to do their jobs properly from the start.
- It builds connection. Onboarding helps new employees create social connections with colleagues they may never meet in person. Virtual team onboarding should facilitate relationship building and help new hires feel like part of the team.
- It retains team members. Effective onboarding has been shown to improve employee retention by as much as 82% according to a report by Korn Ferry. New employees that feel prepared and supported are more likely to stay long-term.
- It strengthens company culture. A good onboarding process conveys company values and reinforces team culture. It sets the right expectations and precedents for how work will get done. This creates alignment from day one.
What does good virtual team onboarding look like? Good onboarding programs consistently do the following:
- Provide necessary logistics and technology. Explain how to access systems and accounts needed to do the job. Offer resources for navigating remote collaboration tools.
- Clarify role and responsibilities. Share a detailed job description and key performance indicators. Explain priorities, objectives, and key results areas.
- Develop connections. Facilitate introductions to team members and encourage informal interactions. Help build rapport and relationships virtually through phone/video calls.
- Share knowledge. Provide training, documentation, and access to subject matter experts. Give new hires opportunities to ask questions and gain necessary context about projects or initiatives.
- Follow up frequently. Schedule regular check-ins, especially during the first 3 months. Ask for feedback and address any questions or concerns. Provide coaching and guidance to help new employees thrive.
Results Of A Good Onboarding Process
One of the primary reasons that onboarding is important is its direct correlation to employee retention. As mentioned earlier, studies show that online businesses with well-designed onboarding processes experience higher team member satisfaction coupled with lower turnover rates.
Why?
When new hires are provided with the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed in their roles, they are more likely to feel confident and motivated. They also tend to form stronger bonds with their colleagues and supervisors, leading to increased job satisfaction and a stronger commitment to the organization.
Team-Wide Benefits Of Onboarding
The importance of a company’s onboarding program extends beyond individual employees; it contributes to the overall success of an organization as well.
When new team members go through an onboarding program that provides thorough training and support, they can quickly become productive members of the team. This causes a chain effect by reducing the burden on existing employees and ensuring a smooth workflow within the organization.
Effective onboarding also helps new team members to understand their roles within the larger organizational structure, leading to improved collaboration and teamwork.
All of these benefits help organizations maintain a competitive edge while meeting their business goals.
What Effective Onboarding Programs Include
A comprehensive onboarding program includes processes such as:
- assigning mentors or buddies to new hires
- creating a detailed onboarding manual or handbook
- conducting interactive training sessions
- providing regular feedback and support
It is also important to continually evaluate and refine the onboarding process based on employee feedback and evolving organizational needs.
By regularly reviewing and updating the onboarding program, organizations can adapt to changing company and market dynamics, thus ensuring the program’s relevance and effectiveness.
Develop Systems And Processes
One of the most effective things you can do for your onboarding program is to create systems and processes to use as you guide the employee through the onboarding program.
This provides consistency of training from one employee to the next, and makes the process more efficient for all involved.
Successful Onboarding Programs Are Critical
The importance of establishing a thorough team onboarding process cannot be overstated.
Effective onboarding processes facilitate team member success, engagement, and retention, which in turn fosters a positive virtual work environment and drives productivity.
In addition, successful onboarding programs help companies stay competitive in today’s rapidly evolving business climate. Investing in onboarding is an investment in the growth and stability of the organization, ensuring that employees have the best possible start to their careers while contributing to the long-term success of the company.
Get Help Developing Your Onboarding Program
Onboarding is no easy task — it requires time, organization, and consistency.
If you do not have a thorough onboarding process – or if you lack the time to facilitate your onboarding program – hiring an OBM to run your onboarding can ensure the program is thorough and effective..
Robin Kramer is an expert in virtual onboarding and has developed a thorough and engaging onboarding process that engages the employee and sets them up for success. She can do as little or as much of the onboarding process as you want and will work with you to determine your needs.
Her 23 years of experience working with small businesses gives her the knowledge needed to efficiently and successfully handle business details, thus creating time in your schedule for you to focus on your business.
To learn more about Robin’s skills and discuss her onboarding packages, contact her for a free consultation today.
