Onboarding is a critical phase in any employee’s journey with your company. It’s the first time they get to experience your culture, your values, and what it means to be a part of your team.
Yet, too often, onboarding is seen as a formality – a checklist of compliance tasks that need to be completed before new hires can get to the “real work.” According to Gallup, only 12% of employees are confident about their employer’s onboarding process. This low confidence means many new hires are left feeling unprepared, disconnected, and unsure of their roles and expectations.
When onboarding is reduced to a series of tasks, rather than a full experience, companies risk disengagement, high turnover rates, and the loss of potential talent who never fully integrate into the company.
But what if onboarding wasn’t just about getting through the basics? What if it was an opportunity to set the stage for long term success, engagement, and even happiness?
More Than Paperwork
At Core Matters, we believe that onboarding should be more enjoyable than paperwork and training sessions. Effective onboarding should be a strategic, thoughtful process that goes beyond paperwork to foster connection, understanding, and commitment from day one.
That’s why we developed the Onboarding to Win Scorecard, a tool designed to transform the onboarding process into something truly valuable for both the new hire and your company.
Why Enjoyable Onboarding Matters
An enjoyable onboarding process isn’t just about making new hires feel good – though that’s certainly part of it. It’s about creating a sense of belonging, encouraging early engagement, and setting the tone for the rest of their time with your company.
When onboarding is enjoyable, it’s easier for new hires to acclimate, ask questions, and seek out help when they need it.
Onboarding to Win
Our Onboarding to Win Scorecard is specifically designed to make onboarding enjoyable. It’s a simple, yet powerful tool that helps new hires navigate their first days with confidence. The Scorecard includes a variety of activities aimed at encouraging interaction, learning, and engagement.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s on it:
- Have lunch with someone new. Enjoying a meal together is one of the oldest forms of building connections. This simple task helps new hires start forming relationships within the team.
- Talk to your boss about your job description. Understanding expectations early on is crucial for success. This conversation helps clarify roles and responsibilities while building a relationship.
- Shadow another department for at least an hour. Gaining insights into other parts of the company creates a broader understanding of the company’s operations.
These activities aren’t just tasks – they’re opportunities to build connections, understand your company’s culture, and gain the confidence needed to succeed.
The Power of Connection
One of the biggest challenges new hires face is knowing how and when to ask for help. The Onboarding to Win Scorecard acts as a catalyst, giving them an “excuse” to engage with others and seek out the resources they need. This makes the onboarding process easier, more effective, and more enjoyable.
By the end of the two weeks, your new hires will have not only completed their onboarding checklist, but will also feel comfortable and acclimated to their new environment. They’ll know who to go to for help, what it takes to succeed, and most importantly, they’ll feel like they’re a part of the team.
Invest in Your New Hires
Investing in a more enjoyable onboarding process pays dividends in the long run. In fact, a strong employee onboarding process improves retention by 82%. Your new hires will be more engaged, more comfortable, and more likely to stick around.
If you’d like to learn more about the Onboarding to Win Scorecard and how our team at Core Matters can help boost engagement and retention through better onboarding, book a call with us today.
