Integrate Your New Employee

Integrating a new employee is no easy task. They need to fit in smoothly with the company, and for that, the onboarding process must be flawless.

Here are 7 tips to successfully onboard your new employee

1. Create a welcoming environment

New hires are not yet familiar with your organization’s cultural norms. Ideally, this means they’ll bring fresh ideas, but sometimes people stay quiet until they see how others behave. Make sure new talent knows their input is welcome and that you’re eager to hear their perspective in meetings. To succeed, socialize this within the organization, and over time, it will become the new norm.

2. Respond quickly to suggestions

Build a reputation for welcoming feedback and suggestions. If a new employee wants to share their opinion, take the opportunity to praise or thank them. A card, an email, or a thank-you note goes a long way. In today’s tech age, create an environment where feedback is prompt. Don’t miss chances to reward, thank, and recognize.

3. Start engagement before day one

Once a candidate accepts the offer, begin the engagement process. Use different methods, like videos or infographics showing employee innovation, an overview of core values, and how to report concerns. Include these in interactive first-day onboarding activities that encourage feedback while demonstrating the organization’s openness to suggestions.

4. Assign them a "buddy"

All our new employees are assigned a "buddy"—someone there to answer their questions and help them feel comfortable. This one-on-one relationship is less intimidating and allows for open communication. It also helps the buddy reinforce our open culture and encourages the new team member to speak up from the start.

5. Ask for feedback and reward contributions

Request feedback from new employees after onboarding or have them fill out a review of their new hire training. This sets the precedent that their ideas are valued. Current employees whose contributions lead to positive business results should also be recognized, both by peers and in their annual reviews, motivating others to do the same.

6. Don’t just pay lip service

Don’t wait for feedback—seek it out. Show support when they have suggestions. Thank your new employees for their input and give visible signs that you encourage their ideas. If you tell a new hire their ideas are welcome but then dismiss them, they’ll hesitate to contribute again.

7. Create an open-door policy

New hires should be told they can always approach HR or their manager with new ideas or concerns. Having an open-door policy shows new employees the company is willing to dedicate time to solving problems and considering innovative ideas.

8. Provide consistent objectives

From the start, every employee should understand the company’s overall goals and their specific tasks. Letting a new hire know how their individual goals contribute to the bigger picture is a great way to earn their buy-in and dedication. Shared goals foster greater collaboration and harmony. For example, if your organization aims to increase membership, explaining how the new hire’s tasks contribute to this helps them understand why certain responsibilities are assigned.

9. Ask the new employee for feedback

To measure onboarding effectiveness, it’s essential to know what works and what needs improvement. Regularly ask the new hire for their thoughts on the training process and suggestions for improvement. Consider creating a rating system for each phase and schedule time for them to discuss their experience with their direct manager.

Effective onboarding strategies require planning and follow-up. The result is a more engaged, dedicated employee and fewer workplace conflicts—definitely worth the effort!

Enhance your onboarding