Strategic Onboarding: opportunity for engagement and retention of talent

The beginning of the workday of a new employee is an important moment for both the company and those who take on a new professional challenge. In addition to involving emotions such as anxiety and excitement of starting a new company, it is also a decisive step to build an emotional connection and create solid foundations for long-term employee engagement.

According to Gisele Pedroso, founder of Agenzia Bloga, a company specialized in Endomarketing and Corporate Happiness, an onboarding process, an English term that means embarking and defines the integration of a new employee in the company, goes beyond a simple presentation.

“A well-structured onborating is not only a moment to expose the company's policies and fill out documents. It is about creating unforgettable experiences that positively mark the beginning of a new professional stage.It is a strategic activity for companies that want to retain talent and strengthen the organizational culture”, he explains.

According to the executive, research shows that effective onboarding increases the retention of new employees by up to 82% and increases their productivity by more than 70%. “Studies show that the first 90 days are crucial to determine whether the employee will continue in the company. Onboarding is a moment that contributes to employee motivation and engagement, since it reinforces their role in the company and creates a sense of belonging from the beginning. In this way, employees become more committed and aligned with the organization's objectives from the first day of work.”

Learning curve

For Gisele, in the current competitive job market, providing a remarkable onboarding experience is a competitive differentiator for companies. “In the short term, this strategy accelerates the learning curve, allowing the employee to contribute more quickly to the team's goals.In the long term, it reduces turnover, as it creates a positive initial experience that helps the employee feel valued”.

Role of Endomarketing

Endomarketing is essential to create aligned and engaging internal communication during onboarding.It ensures that key messages about culture, values and benefits are conveyed clearly and creatively.It also promotes actions such as welcome campaigns, onboarding events and visual materials that reinforce the sense of belonging.

“Some actions are essential to transform the first day of the employee into a remarkable experience. In Bloga, we propose to our customers a prior preparation to ensure that all necessary resources are ready even before the employee arrives. On the first day, we idealize welcoming activities, such as a welcome breakfast and a tour of the company. The presentation of the corporate culture is made through workshops, videos or interactions with the leaders, who explain the values, mission and vision of the company. Finally, it is important to have a continuous monitoring, ensuring that the employee is prepared for their responsibilities, that their doubts are clarified and their progress is evaluated”, he comments.

Innovative practices

According to Gisele, the endomarketing strategies for personalized onboarding with innovative practices. “The activities range from presenting the company's history with virtual reality glasses, to welcome kits that include items such as inspiring books, cards signed by the team and exclusive company materials. Gamification has also been used as a way to create challenges and rewards for new employees, making learning more fun”.

Onboarding Day

The founder of Bloga also highlights that some companies are implementing Onboarding Day, a special day to welcome new employees, with workshops, lectures and moments of relaxation. “The integration with the team can be carried out with dynamics or informal events, such as happy hours.In addition, some companies adopt mentoring or camaraderie programs, designating an experienced colleague to guide the new employee. Companies also use interactive platforms to track progress and offer support during the first few months”, he concludes.