beyond a checklist: the new era of onboarding

It’s safe to say we love incredible onboarding, we’ve covered it multiple times, but now we’re nearing the end of the year; we wanted to shed light on this new era of onboarding. What is often seen as a facet of corporate dynamics, onboarding must go beyond the mundane, beyond the checkboxes and GDPR–  a transformative journey at the start of an employees time with an organisation and the first, most crucial chance an organisation gets to connect with their people.

We’re on a mission to create the world’s best workplaces. And with that, onboarding must be seen as more than just a functional process; modern onboarding is a powerful people development tool that propels both individuals and organisations towards unprecedented success.

more than a checklist

Gone are the days when onboarding was a mere checklist, a routine task to introduce new hires to their desks and colleagues. Today, forward-thinking companies recognise it as a pivotal people development strategy. According to a recent study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 69% of employees are more likely to stay with a company for three years if they experienced great onboarding.

Organisations must stop thinking “what information do we need to communicate”, and start thinking about what they want their people to feel. It’s somewhat painful to see how many global and successful organisations pile information into un-inspirational presentation decks and recycled PDFs. How often do you start a new role, and the first thing you must complete or learn is their GDPR policy – we couldn’t think of a more un-engaging way to introduce an employee to their future.

fostering individual growth

Onboarding, when done right, becomes a catalyst for personal and professional development. It’s not just about learning the ropes but also about understanding one’s role within the larger organizational tapestry. The Harvard Business Review suggests that effective onboarding accelerates the time it takes for employees to reach their full potential by a whopping 34%.

Organisations that view onboarding as a people development tool empower individuals to thrive in their roles. It’s not merely about imparting information but creating an environment where employees feel a sense of purpose, connection, and alignment with the company’s mission.

driving mission, goals, and objectives

Onboarding can be the driving force that aligns individuals with the company’s mission, goals, and objectives when done right. When employees understand how their contribution fits into the larger narrative, they become not just workers but advocates for the company’s success. As well as this, effective onboarding is an organisations first real opportunity to connect with their people and make a real difference to the start of their employment. It’s this opportunity that can have the most lasting impression on an employee.

A survey by Glassdoor found that organisations with a strong onboarding process improve new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%. This showcases that onboarding is not just about getting the job done; it’s about instilling a sense of belonging and purpose that drives individuals to give their best.

strategic platforms for growth

In the fast-paced corporate landscape, onboarding tools have evolved into strategic platforms that fuel company growth. Beyond the traditional welcome sessions, companies are leveraging technology and innovative content to create immersive onboarding experiences.

According to a report by Deloitte, organisations with a strong onboarding process improve new hire retention by 82%, and it’s not just about retention—it’s about scaling at pace. Onboarding platforms, armed with engaging content and interactive modules, ensure that every new hire is equipped with the skills and knowledge to contribute effectively from day one. Our own client at Nestle Health Science stated, “Our education platform, ‘The Supplement’, which Mindboost designed and continues to support us on, is a strategic platform for us in Nestle Health Science. Without the platform and content, we would not be able to effectively educate our clients at the scale and pace that we need.”

enabling growth at scale

As companies expand globally, the need for onboarding tools that transcend geographical boundaries becomes evident. Onboarding is not just a local practice; it’s a global strategy that ensures consistency in communication, culture, and compliance.

LinkedIn’s Global Recruiting Trends report highlights that 53% of talent professionals consider employer branding as their top priority. Onboarding, as a strategic platform, plays a pivotal role in shaping and communicating this employer brand consistently across diverse locations. More importantly, when incredible standards have been set and a well-oiled induction plan is in place – the success lies in being able to replicate this for every new employee to future proof the induction experience.

Onboarding has stepped out of the shadows of routine and into the limelight of strategic significance in recent years. It’s no longer a box-ticking exercise but a journey that shapes the future of individuals and organisations alike.

Companies that recognise onboarding as a people development tool witness not just employee retention but a workforce that’s passionate, engaged, and aligned with the company’s mission. It’s a transformative experience that transcends the boundaries of a mere checklist, creating an environment where individuals don’t just work for a company; they grow with it.

If you want to learn more about how the experts at Mindboost can elevate your onboarding experiences, check out what we did for Nestle Health Science here or get in touch with the team today.