The Future’s So Bright!Best Practices for Your New Employee Induction Process

Presenter: Kristi Alfaro, Terra Dotta Learning Evangelist

Objectives● Understand the importance of onboarding practices for new

employee induction

● Be able to generalize software training practices for your office new hires

● Leave with a framework for employee onboarding including general office processes and TDS

Can you imagine a first day that feels like this?

Or this…

How do currently help new employees navigate their first days?

Orientation vs. Onboarding

One-way flow of information Two-way communication

Static Dynamic

Broad, often singular event to familiarize the employee with the office and institution

Broad and deep, sustained delivery to embed the employee in the role and office processes

May focus on administrative tasks and processes, the office heirarchy, etc.

Strategically focuses on the tasks of the role, and integration into the office workflow

Orientation Onboarding

The Importance of Onboading: Office Perspective● Reduces Time to Productivity

○ information, skills, and equipment

● Reduces Turn-over○ honeymoon phase, first impressions

● Reduces Stress

● Increases Employee Engagement○ productivity, efficiency, accuracy

The Importance of Onboading:New Hire Perspective

● Facilitates Team Dynamics○ improved relationships, less dependence on social constructs and scavenger

learning

● Increases Productivity ○ clarifies role in office structure, eliminates guesswork; all learning takes time and

is incremental

● Improves Motivation○ value to the team, institution, and faculty & students, builds trust

The Importance of Onboarding

Bridging the gap between knowing and doing.

The Bridge Between Knowing and Doing

Knowing Doing

The Bridge Between Knowing and Doing

Knowing Doing

The Bridge Between Knowing and Doing

Knowing Doing

Best Practices for New Hire Training

We all learn differently.

● Different rates● Different reasons● Learning Styles

○ Visual○ Auditory○ Kinesthetic

Best Practices for New Hire Training:Building Background

General Position Information ● Share resource documents of

responsibilities, office tasks, and administrative policies

● Talk about office mission, employee’s contribution to the team, introduce a mentor

Best Practices for New Hire Training:Building Background

Terra Dotta Software ● Use the knowledgebase for

articles and videos● Best created through

experience - go through the application process from a user perspective

Best Practices for New Hire Training:Developing Understanding & Acquiring Skill

General Position Knowledge● Create opportunities for

shadowing someone in the role, if possible & tangent roles

● Promote a collaborative office culture

● 3 minute review

Best Practices for New Hire Training:Developing Understanding & Acquiring Skill

Terra Dotta Software● Use the 3D Model

○ I Do○ We Do○ You Do

● Participate in software exercises● Feedback is important

Best Practices for New Hire Training:Creating Independence

General Postion and TDS● Assign straightforward tasks,

and provide feedback. Incrementally increase responsibility over time.

● Establish a standing appointment for check-ins.

Two Minute Turn & Talk:

Partner with someone near you and together recap the 4 concepts that build the bridge between knowing and doing.

If you have time, discuss which strategy for building the bridge stands out to you as a necessary addition to your current practices.

Designing your Onboarding PlanBefore the first day:● Set up as much of the administrative tasks as possible● Share information about the logistics of the first day so the new

employee with know what to expect● Consider the small details that add up to the sense of comfort and

familiarity you have in the workplace

On the first day:● Remember they’re likely nervous! They want to impress!

They probably aren’t going to remember much detail.● Share general information in a basic, easy-to-process manner● Smaller conversations build familiarity and comfort

Designing your Onboarding Plan

● Your Office Culture and Values○ Structure and team roles○ Strategic objectives

● Relationship Building○ Mentoring○ Team Interaction

● Job Tasks and Support○ Office processes○ Technology○ Bridging that gap

Plan for onboarding activities in these main areas:

Tips to Remember

● Sharing the office culture is important.● New employees are excited to be working in

your office.● Everyone learns differently, be thoughtful about

the senses. Take care to individualize the process.

● The 3D model is a micro-bridge across the gap between knowing and doing.

● Onboarding is a marathon, not a sprint.

Objectives● Understand the importance of onboarding practices for new

employee induction

● Be able to generalize software training practices for your office new hires

● Leave with a framework for employee onboarding including general office processes and TDS

Additional Resources● Training Guide for New Staff

○ Table of Contents for relevant articles○ https://tdsupport.force.com/support/articles/General/Training-Guide

● Support Portal Overview○ Article, Webinar○ https://tdsupport.force.com/support/articles/General/Support-Portal

● What Your New Hire Should Know○ https://tdsupport.force.com/support/articles/General/New-Kid-on-

the-Block-What-a-New-Hire-Needs-to-Know

Connect with Us

https://www.facebook.com/TerraDotta/

https://twitter.com/TerraDotta

https://www.linkedin.com/company/terra-dotta-llc

Kristi Alfaro

kristi.alfaro@terradotta.com

Resources

● Glossaries

○ http://conference.terradotta.com/?go=Glossary

● Webinars

○ http://www.terradotta.com/support-webinars.html

● Connect with Terra Dotta

https://www.facebook.com/TerraDotta/

https://twitter.com/TerraDotta

https://www.linkedin.com/company/terra-dotta-llc

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