How To Set Your New Employee Up For Success
Did you know that the key to setting employees up for success lies in the pre-onboarding process, which begins well before their first shift on their first day? It's about laying the groundwork to ensure they start in a way that allows them to progress through the company, providing them with all the tools and resources they need to get settled before they even begin work.
So what can you do to ensure your new hire is a good investment and can perform to the best of their abilities from the very beginning?
Onboarding
Onboarding needs to be started before their first day. The last thing you want is an overwhelmed new employee who struggles to digest everything they need to know. Using tools like Frontline workers training means you can include all the training modules they will need, company information key resources, and FAQs and put together effective onboarding so people have everything they need before their first day. Because, if you need people on the floor on their first day, it leaves little room for training. So utilizing software to deliver the required information and desire they are up to scratch can ease that first-day overwhelm.
Lighter Duties
Even if it's all hands on deck, throwing your new hire in the deep end is only going to result in failure for you and them, and with the average cost of a new hire being in the thousands, it's an expense you don't want to throw away. With this in mind, rearrange your schedule prior to their start date to ease them in. Schedule them on lighter or shorter shifts, and give them duties that allow them to acclimate or get used to how you work before upping the ante as they become more capable and confident in their job role.
Assign A Buddy
While the buddy system technically starts on the first day, the effort put into finding the right buddy and arranging complementary shifts can be invaluable. By pairing new hires with your best employees, you provide them with a supportive environment and a wealth of knowledge. This not only ensures that you have experienced staff where they are needed but also reduces the risk of initial mistakes due to the new hires being left to figure things out on their own. It's a way of showing your new hires that you're invested in their success from day one.
Create Your Vision and Values
This should be something you already have in place, but if you don't, or this is your first hire, or you're a new company, a set of values and a vision for your company are essential. The more new starters know about the company, where you see it going, and what values you hold, the easier it will be for them to get on the same page; in fact, having this for the interviews can eliminate people who won't be a great fit or don't hold the same values as you relating to your company. If new starters know the company line, they are more likely to abide by it and deliver exactly what you need to how you need them to. It's a way of fostering a sense of alignment and connection from the very beginning.