why most digital onboarding fails
(and how to fix it)

Digital onboarding often misses the mark, leading to disengaged employees, high turnover and wasted investment. At Mindboost, we believe onboarding should be more than dull “click‑next” e‑learning, it’s an opportunity to connect, inspire emotion and create real change. Here’s where the process typically fails, and how smart design and human focus can transform it.

Strong social connections are essential for workplace success so spotting authenticity is important for any new hire. According to Forbes, “Authenticity is the essential factor to achieve long-term success for an organisation, both culturally and financially.” If authenticity is important to both the new hire and the success of an organisation, it’s certainly an important element of any businesses bespoke digital onboarding programme.

1. overwhelming information and poor structure

A staggering 81 % of new hires feel overwhelmed by information during onboarding, often due to too many tools and forms with no coherent structure. Nearly one‑third of employers don’t set onboarding milestones and disoriented new starters are then 20 % more likely to resign within 45 days.

We need to build experiences that are purposeful, contain inspiring pathways and curated narratives with clearly defined milestones and emotionally compelling design at their core. When onboarding is shaped as a story that reflects your organisation’s mission and values, it becomes so much more than just a checklist. It transforms into a meaningful journey where every step feels intentional. Rather than overwhelming learners with admin-heavy content, you guide them through a thoughtful, structured experience that helps them feel seen, supported and confident from day one.

2. neglecting human connection

Remote or impersonal digital onboarding often lacks human touch with 36 % of remote workers cite confusing processes, with 63 % considering quitting. A Gallup study shows a manager’s active involvement makes onboarding 3.5× more effective, and 56 % of new hires rely on a buddy or mentor to truly progress.
You must weave in real people and real narratives at every step, hero videos, mentor chats, live Q&As for example, to ensure emotional resonance. This approach ensures digital doesn’t feel distant, it feels purposeful and connected.

3. treating AI as a replacement, not a tool

Shiny AI tools can sometimes eclipse human judgment. Too often we see onboarding becoming automated drudgery. We believe that AI should empower our human superpowers, not replace them. AI can offer incredible amounts of valuem but we can never forget the human at the end of the learning, Integrating AI to personalise adaptive learning, content recommendations and pacing is becoming the norm. But the narrative, emotional arcs and human warmth are built by people. We believe that tech could never replace human empathy and design.

4. ignoring cultural and strategic alignment

Many digital programmes fail to connect employees with their organisation’s deeper mission, leaving people with forms but no meaning. Only 29% of employees feel fully prepared post‑onboarding.

It is vital to create onboarding content that genuinely reflects your organisation’s values, culture and goals. This is not just about delivering information, but about making new starters feel part of something bigger from day one. Whether it is a warm welcome from leadership or interactive scenarios rooted in real experiences, every element should connect back to your purpose. When people can clearly see how their role contributes to the wider mission, they are far more likely to engage and commit. Onboarding is your moment to capture attention, spark belief and build a real connection. Get it right, and you set the tone for long-term success.

why it pays off

Organisations with structured onboarding see 82 % higher retention and over 70 % more productivity. Not only this, it’s been proven that formal onboarding fuels 2.6x more job satisfaction and 30× higher satisfaction with a good experience. Considering effective onboarding can cost up to 200 % of annual salary per hire in turnover costs, ensuring your onboarding lands right is imperative..

Digital onboarding shouldn’t just tick boxes, it should transform people. Mindboost exists to obliterate dull learning by combining design, emotion and strategic depth. With onboarding excellence, your people don’t just join: they belong. And that’s where lasting change begins. Check out some of our recent onboarding projects with Mamas&Papas and BaxterStorey.

Want onboarding that feels human, powerful and effective? Talk to Mindboost today or explore our insights.