To paraphrase an old saying, employees are not your greatest asset—great employees are your greatest asset. Whether an organization is large or small, make sure to set the stage for employees’ success by creating a positive first impression.
Orientation Plan
The difference between a worker who becomes productive quickly and one who languishes is often how well he is oriented to the new company. The first hours and days of an employee's new career are the time when he becomes acquainted to the requirements and expectations of the job, the culture of the organization, and where and how he fits into the company.
Contractors can greatly increase the speed at which their employees become fully productive by having a personalized orientation plan in place for their onboarding. The plan should balance time spent learning about his specific job duties with time spent discussing the organization and his coworkers' responsibilities.
The first hours of employment should not be spent filling out a myriad of forms. This may be convenient for HR, payroll or accounting, but it does not create the best first impression. While the employee eventually will need to fill out certain forms, most federal and state requirements give new hires several days to complete the task. Spending those first hours creating a friendly, comfortable and productive experience for the employee is a better use of time.
A Place to Call Home
Whether the employee will have a desk, locker, workstation, or a peg on the wall, it should be labeled, clean and stocked with all of the equipment the employee will need to do his job. Nothing says "welcome" like a well-appointed workstation.
When desks and workstations are left empty for any length of time, two things happen. First, any useful equipment, office supplies or gadgets seem to walk away. Second, the empty desk becomes a dumping ground for stacks of papers, files and other debris. The day before the new employee arrives, take a few minutes to restock the workstation and clean off unnecessary clutter.
Coworker Introductions
Most businesses provide new employees with the standard tour and introduction. While this is a step in the right direction, there are ways to increase the benefit to the organization. Spend at least part of the first day celebrating the arrival of the new employee. Have coffee with everyone on the team, allowing time for socializing and rapport building. If possible, add a snack into the mix; there is nothing like food to help people bond.
Outline for Success
Finally, explain to the employee what he should accomplish in his first days on the job. Understanding exact tasks and how they will be measured will increase the new employee's confidence and result in greater performance. Make sure the tasks selected are doable and will be part of the employee's routine assignments. It’s important for the employee to succeed in the early days so he will be eager to take on the more difficult work that lies ahead.