Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) often look to hire talent from larger companies, to add expertise and value to their teams. Once the hiring process is complete, the onboarding process begins. SMEs often tend to focus more on the process of hiring without giving much importance to the process of onboarding.
However, ensuring every new joiner is comfortable in their new workplace is the job of the organization, irrespective of its scale. So, if you’re an SME looking to make your hiring and SME onboarding process more efficient, here are five mistakes you need to steer clear of. Let’s have a look:
5 Mistakes to Avoid While Onboarding Talent
1. Not Ensuring the Working Area is Well-prepared
New joiners (even if they come with experience) are always a bit nervous on their first day at work. To make the employee feel comfortable, it’s important to ensure their desk is all clean and clear. Any clutter or keepsakes of the previous employee using the desk must be removed to ensure the new employee can have a fresh start in the organization. Also, stocking the table with required stationary and a warm welcome note helps the new joiner feel welcome and part of the organization instantly.
2. Not Showing Them Around
The office tour is an important aspect of the onboarding process. As a small organization, you may not have a huge office space, but it is still important to show the new employees around. As you’re showing them the cafeteria, conference room, washroom, and other amenities in the office, also introduce them to everyone around. Specifically, introduce them to the staff and employees that they will be dealing with more often.
3. Not Assigning A Mentor or Buddy
For the first few days, things can be completely overwhelming in a new workplace. And during this initial phase, having someone to guide you is always welcome. You can assign the new joiner a buddy or mentor from the existing bunch of employees, so if they have any queries about work, people, or the office in general, they know whom they can approach. And yes, make sure whoever you assign the role of a mentor is well-versed in their role in assisting the new employee.
4. Not Providing Them With Necessary Resources
Even if the new employee has prior work experience, your organization will be a fresh start for them. Everything here - right from the people to the processes is new to them, which is why you need to ensure you hand over ample resources to the new joiner. This would help them acquaint themselves with the company's process, workflow, and the importance of their role in the organization. Providing them access to the training material would also be helpful for them to kickstart their new role.
5. Not Offering Continued Support
Once the employee has settled into his new role in the organization, the onboarding process is considered complete. Most organizations leave employees to fend for themselves post this period, but if you’re looking to do things differently, make sure you offer continued support to your employees. Whether it's a new joiner or someone who’s been working with you for a long time, the assistance and support from your end should never stop - it is a continuous process that makes employees feel valued in an organization.
Summing Up
If you’re looking to establish a systematic talent management system in your organization, feel free to reach out to us. At beWise, we’re a team of dedicated business growth consultants who help businesses evolve and adapt with our strategic inputs and ideas. Let us know how we can assist you in growing your business today!