Whether you are hiring full or part-time employees, or seeking experienced subcontractors to support new projects, bringing on someone new is an investment in both time and resources. With a successful onboarding process in place, you can help new team members quickly become productive and effective in their new roles.

Here are six ways to provide new employees with the information, resources, and support they need to succeed so they can hit the ground running and make meaningful contributions from the start.

1. Set Up a Clear Process  

Providing clarity around  processes and protocols reduces confusion and errors, improves productivity and efficiency, and ensures that new hires receive the resources they need to be successful. This can also reduce legal and compliance risks for your company. Here are some common processes relevant to the onboarding process:

•  Access to company systems & tools: This may include email, computer and phone access, and any other tools or software that a new employee will need to perform their job.
• Details of benefits and perks: Communicate information about health insurance, vacation days, retirement plans, and other employee benefits.
• Performance management: Explain to new hires how their performance will be evaluated, how feedback will be provided, and how promotions and raises are awarded.

2. Familiarize New Hires with the Company Culture

Share the culture of your workplace to help new hires understand how your business operates and how they are expected to conduct themselves. This includes company values, mission, and goals, as well as the day-to-day expectations and unwritten rules that signal how your team interacts with each other and with clients. 

Understanding the company culture makes new employees more comfortable and engaged in their new roles, and therefore more productive and successful in their work. Being on the same page reduces the chance of misunderstandings and conflicts that can arise due to differences in cultural norms or expectations.

3. Make Your Team Tech Savvy 

By providing new employees with training on the latest tools and technologies, you help ensure that your workforce is well-equipped to meet the demands of today's marketplace. Here are some tech tools that can help new hires feel more connected to their team, more engaged and more productive:

• Project management software:  Project management software like Houzz Pro, lets you easily streamline communication, assign tasks, and track progress. This can make the onboarding process more efficient and ensure that all necessary steps are completed in a timely manner. Houzz Pro also provides a centralized location where all documents can be stored and accessed by the appropriate team members, making it easier to keep track of crucial details. 
  
• Collaboration tools: Teams in Houzz Pro streamlines communication among team members, making it quick and easy to answer questions and provide guidance during onboarding. With the ability to leave internal notes, team members can share and collaborate on important onboarding-related tasks in real-time ensuring that they have access to the most up-to-date information.

4. Emphasize Job Safety 

By highlighting safety during the onboarding process, new employees become aware of how to avoid potential hazards and become better equipped to protect themselves and their colleagues from harm. Addressing safety early on shows employees that it is a priority for you, giving them a positive view of the company and making them more engaged in their work. Here are a few safety areas to cover during onboarding:

• Safety Equipment Training: This training should cover topics such as proper use of equipment, safe lifting techniques, and emergency procedures. 
• Safety Policies & Procedures: Clearly communicate the company's safety policies and procedures such as how to report safety incidents, file safety-related complaints, and the consequences for failing to follow safety rules. 
• Lead by example: Demonstrate a commitment to safety in your own actions and by holding all employees, including yourself, accountable for following safety policies and procedures.

5. Create Open Lines of Communication

Make new employees feel comfortable and welcomed in their new roles by establishing clear communication when onboarding. Creating this culture of transparency and trust, can foster a sense of belonging and engagement in new employees, which can lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce. Here are a few ways to open lines of communication:

• Clearly Communicate Expectations: Lay out the expectations for communication during the onboarding process and how new employees can contact the right person with any questions or concerns.
• Encourage Questions & Feedback: Encourage new employees to ask questions and provide feedback and show them that their input is valued.
• Schedule Regular Check-ins: Set up check-ins with new employees during their first few weeks on the job to discuss their progress, answer any questions they may have, and address any concerns they may be experiencing.

6. Give New Employees a Path Toward Success

With a road map toward success, new employees know what is expected of them in their role, and how their work fits into the overall goals and objectives of your business. Plus, it can also help them set goals and track their progress, which encourages them to stay motivated and engaged. These are some ways to provide direction:

• Training & Resources: Give new employees the training and resources that will help them understand their role, the company culture, and how to navigate your business.
• Offer Growth & Development Opportunities: Offering employees with opportunities such as mentorship programs, training, and stretch assignments can help them advance in their careers and increase their contribution to your company. 

Hiring new employees is a big step for any business, and having a successful onboarding process in place can ensure that they feel comfortable and supported as they navigate their new roles, and begin making a meaningful impact on your team and company.