New employee onboarding is the process of getting your latest hires integrated into your organization and team. Setting them up for success is crucial to their development in becoming productive members of the team. But what makes for an efficient onboarding process? Set your new employees up for success with these four steps.

How can you improve your onboarding process?

1. Get the Paper Work Done Before
   Don't waste your new hires' first day filling out forms or going over benefits. Instead, get to the essential items sooner. For example, schedule a meeting to go over benefits before the first day with HR; doing this will also give them another friendly place when they start.

2. Make New Employees Feel Welcomed
   It can be hard to find your place within a team, so integrating a new employee is crucial. Make a welcome sign to put in their office or a bouquet of flowers. Another great idea is to order in or go out to lunch as a team so everyone can get to know each other. Birkman's Buzz Cards are also a great way to break the ice at your first team meeting. Or use the Birkman Floor Map to play a fun activity that not only allows your new team member to get to know others but is a great refresher for everyone else too!

3. Make it Engaging

   Rather than just showing your new hire how to do things, show them the process and then have them do it independently, so they can ask any questions they may have while you still have dedicated time to help them.  Walk new employees through what a typical day will look for their role and make sure to give them time to look over everything and formulate questions if they have any.

4. Help Them Understand What Will Make Them Successful

   It is crucial to set new hires up for success; this involves setting expectations for their role and performance early on. Here are some questions to answer that will help them be successful in their position:

   • What are their key priorities?

   • What is each team member's role?

   • What are the department/team's goals, and what steps are already in place to reach them?

   • How are decisions made within the organization and team?

   Answering these questions will be sure to help provide clarity within their role and the overall organizational structure.