A lesson I learned a long time ago is that Talent Development - or Training, L&D, or whatever we're calling ourselves these days - is a support department. We exist to help organizations operate with improved performance, more efficiency, safer conditions, better service...and countless other priorities, but these tangible examples are usually toward the top … Continue reading The spinach in your smoothie…
Tag: onboarding
4 Ways Intentional Offboarding Can Help Your Onboarding Process
At the day job, I'm currently navigating the resignation of a high-performing, well-liked team member. While we playfully give her a hard time about it, it's all on good terms - you know, one of those "life happens" kinds of transitions that occasionally takes an employee away from your team and organization. As the manager … Continue reading 4 Ways Intentional Offboarding Can Help Your Onboarding Process
Orientation Overhaul: Scheduling a realistic first day for new employees
For about the 10,000th time in my career, I had a conversation with someone about Day One need-to-have content vs. nice-to-have content vs. there-is-absolutely-NO-need-for-new-employees-to-experience-this-on-their-first-day content. Even now, 20 years into my career, I find myself surprised at just how much content some (well-meaning) people feel is necessary to shove into one day. So today, we're … Continue reading Orientation Overhaul: Scheduling a realistic first day for new employees
It’s time to get serious about your onboarding strategy
March is upon us once again; here in Indiana, where we live and breathe basketball, that means it's not just March, but it's March Madness. College basketball games are playing nonstop, brackets are being determined, rivalries are being tested. Sadly, most of our state's teams aren't making it to the big dance this year...except Purdue, … Continue reading It’s time to get serious about your onboarding strategy
The important distinction between “orientation” and “onboarding”
I recently read an article about - you guessed it - onboarding, and a statement stuck with me...the author was defining new employee orientation at a high level, and then went on to define onboarding. The author suggested that, "Onboarding is often described as 'orientation on steroids.'" This was unsettling to me in a few … Continue reading The important distinction between “orientation” and “onboarding”
Your onboarding strategy might need a reboot if….
Do you remember the old "You might be a redneck..." comedy bit from a few years back? It seems like you couldn't go anywhere without seeing a Jeff Foxworthy standup routine on television or seeing a book about it. Even though it's been several years since its peak, you still see those jokes bubble up … Continue reading Your onboarding strategy might need a reboot if….
Onboarding Magic is in the Welcome
I grew up a couple of hours north of where I currently live. While my family doesn't live in that city anymore, I follow the local newspaper online to stay in the loop about current events in my old stomping grounds. Recently, I was talking with a friend about various teachers we remembered from our … Continue reading Onboarding Magic is in the Welcome
If you’re having trouble relating to new employees, do this…
A few weeks ago at the day job, I was meeting with a couple of people on my team, discussing two training programs that we are in the process of updating. One of the programs is part of our onboarding process; new employees participate in the program between 30-60 days post-hire. The team member who … Continue reading If you’re having trouble relating to new employees, do this…
What are your existing employees telling your new employees?
A lot of my blog inspiration comes from casual observations as I'm out-and-about. Today's post comes from a brief conversation I overheard while waiting for an elevator, between an existing employee (Brendon) and a new employee: Brendon: Today was your first day, right? How did it go? I'm Brendon, I'm the Director of Client Experience. … Continue reading What are your existing employees telling your new employees?
3 make-or-break strategies for building a best-in-class onboarding experience
Today alone, in my work email - not even counting messages received in my personal email - I received over 30 solicitation emails (only a few were from organizations I know/like/trust and opted into at some point), telling me how I can improve the results of my (insert program) or how I can maximize efficiency … Continue reading 3 make-or-break strategies for building a best-in-class onboarding experience