Episode 177: (Team Retention) Onboarding Your New Employee To Optimize Team Performance

In this episode…

Lack of communication during onboarding can leave new hires uncertain, potentially affecting how they perceive their role in the new company. How could a well-structured preboarding process change this narrative and foster a better start for employees and employers?

Seasoned HR expert Traci Austin unravels the secrets of helping new hires feel integrated and valued even before they officially start. Outlining the value of strategic preboarding interactions in setting the stage for a welcoming first day, she suggests activities such as connecting on LinkedIn, sending welcome packages, and assigning a buddy to make a significant impact. By fostering open communication and setting clear expectations, employers can reduce the anxiety of starting a new job, leading to higher engagement and retention. According to Traci, collaboration between the hiring manager and the team in the preboarding process facilitates knowledge transfer and minimizes turnover by setting clear expectations and focusing on cultural alignment.

In this new episode of The People Strategy Podcast, co-host Chad Franzen joins Traci Austin, Owner and Chief Talent Officer at Elevated Talent Consulting, to discuss key strategies for transforming the new hire experience. Traci highlights how preboarding can lead to higher retention rates and employee performance, how to project employee culture and values effectively, and how to avoid potential pitfalls in employee onboarding.

Resources Mentioned in this episode:

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[1:42] Traci Austin discusses the critical importance of the preboarding process

[2:03] Why it’s a good idea to integrate new employees with their teams before day one

[5:02] The hidden advantages of involving current team members in welcoming new hires

[8:07] How can a well-managed preboarding process significantly boost employee engagement?

[10:41] Why should you accurately reflect your company’s culture during the onboarding process?

[14:09] How preboarding interactions can shape an employee’s perception of your business

[22:17] Techniques for fostering a sense of belonging from an employee’s very first day

Quotable Moments:

What we know is that turnover that happens in the first 90 days can be curbed significantly based on a great onboarding plan.”
“Ensure that what HR is selling is truly aligned with what reality is.”
“The worst thing we see happen is almost a bait and switch.”
“We see folks, ensuring that they are truly aligned with the culture.”
“When we can lower anxiety and have that person feeling comfortable, they’re more likely to show up to work that first day in a way that’s engaging.”

When we can lower anxiety and have that person feeling comfortable, they're more likely to show up to work that first day in a way that's engaging.- The People Strategy Podcast Share on X

Action Steps:

Implement a structured preboarding process: This sets clear expectations and eases new hire anxiety by fostering early connections with the team and culture.
Engage team members as onboarding ambassadors: They provide a warm welcome and personalize the experience for new hires, which increases satisfaction.
Use transparent communication to reflect the true company culture: This ensures that new hires know what to expect and are on board with the organization’s values.
Provide valuable support in the first 90 days to prevent unnecessary turnover: By understanding and addressing the needs of new hires, companies can improve retention.
Continuously evaluate and adjust the onboarding process based on feedback: Staying responsive to both new hires’ and team members’ input leads to a continually improving and efficient onboarding experience.

Traci Austin is the Owner and Chief Talent Officer at Elevated Talent Consulting, a certified woman-owned HR firm. As an HR professional and chief strategy consultant, she has over two decades of experience creating and building HR departments for small businesses. Traci specializes in employee development, consulting, and coaching and creates fulfilling work environments that align employee aspirations with business goals. She also hosts The People Strategy Podcast.

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by Elevated Talent Consulting, a leading provider of comprehensive talent management solutions.

Whether you’re looking to optimize your recruitment process, enhance employee engagement, or develop effective leadership strategies, Elevated Talent Consulting has the expertise to level up your team.

Discover how they can transform your workforce at elevatedtalentconsulting.com.