Introducing new team members can be a challenge. That awkward first day, filled with small talk and PowerPoint slides, can set the tone for their experience. But it doesn’t have to be this way. In Inclusive Onboarding, creating fun and engaging ways to welcome new hires can make a huge difference. This article will guide you through innovative ideas to make introductions creative and memorable.
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Why The Employee Onboarding Experience Matters
Employee onboarding sets the tone for a new hire’s entire journey with your organization. Think of it as hosting a gathering; if you’re warm and friendly, people will feel more at ease and willing to engage. Surprisingly, many HR leaders still skip this critical step.
Building a Sense of Belonging Through Onboarding
Humans thrive on connection. Starting a new job can feel like the first day at a new school. Inclusive onboarding helps newcomers feel like they’re part of the group. When they feel accepted, they’re more likely to stick around.
Boosting Engagement and Retention
A well-designed onboarding process doesn’t just help new hires feel good; it also makes them more effective. Companies that focus on onboarding see new hire retention rates increase by 82% and productivity soar by 70% or more.
Setting the Stage for Long-Term Success
How you welcome a new employee can have a ripple effect throughout your organization. A positive onboarding experience can improve team morale and show employees you’re invested in their success.
Fun Ways to Introduce New Team Members
There are many ways to make onboarding fun and engaging. Consider hosting a team lunch, organizing a scavenger hunt, or creating a welcome video featuring team members. The goal is to help new hires feel like they’re part of the team from day one.
The Cost of Bad Onboarding
Poor onboarding can be costly. Companies without a strong onboarding process see higher turnover rates, lower productivity, and lower employee engagement, which can significantly impact their bottom line.
Creating a Culture of Inclusion
Inclusive onboarding is about more than just making new hires feel welcome. It’s about creating a culture where everyone feels valued and included. This can lead to higher morale, better collaboration, and increased innovation.
The Bottom Line: Onboarding Matters
Investing in a strong onboarding process is one of the best things you can do for your organization. It helps new hires hit the ground running, improves retention, and creates a more positive work environment.
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• Small Business Onboarding • Onboarding Remote Employees • Onboarding Phases • New Team Member Announcement • Onboarding Meeting • New Hire Onboarding Survey Questions • New Hire Orientation Survey • Onboarding and Training • Onboarding Goals
15 Fun Ways to Introduce New Team Members
1. Trivia Game: Break the Ice and Build Connections
A trivia game is a light-hearted way to break the ice and make introductions fun. Gather interesting facts about new team members, perhaps details about their:
- Hobbies
- Favorite foods
- Unique talents
Compile these into a list of questions and pose them to the group during a team meeting.
Team members can guess answers, which adds a friendly, competitive twist to the activity. This game creates an interactive setting, allowing everyone to learn quirky and fun details about the new hires. It fosters curiosity and active participation and helps establish common ground between new and existing team members, setting a positive tone for future interactions.
2. Two Truths and a Lie: Unveil Intriguing Facts
Two Truths and a Lie is a classic introduction game encouraging engagement and attentive listening. Each new team member shares three statements about themselves, two true and one false. The team’s task is to figure out which one is the lie. To add excitement, allow team members to ask questions to help them deduce the false statement.
This activity is fun and revealing. It allows new hires to share intriguing facts about themselves while creating a friendly guessing game. It’s an effective way to break down barriers and foster interaction, helping everyone get to know each other better and entertainingly.
3. Human Bingo: Discover Common Interests
Human Bingo takes the traditional bingo game and adds a social twist. Create a bingo card filled with unique characteristics that might apply to team members, like:
- Has been skydiving
- Speaks multiple languages
- Enjoys hiking
The game begins as team members mingle, finding someone who matches each square’s description and marking it off on their cards. The first to complete a row (or the entire card) wins. This game prompts team members to move around and engage with each other in a playful and low-pressure setting. It’s particularly effective in large teams, as it encourages mingling and allows everyone to discover attractive traits and common interests with each other.
4. Personal Object Show and Tell: Share Stories Beyond Work
This activity allows new team members to express themselves meaningfully and uniquely. New hires bring in an object that holds personal significance, perhaps a family photo, a keepsake from a memorable trip, or an item related to a hobby they love.
Each person shares the object and explains why it’s important to them, followed by any questions from the team. New hires can share stories beyond the workplace by revealing a part of their personal life, leading to richer connections with teammates with similar interests or experiences.
5. Team-Building Activities: Experience Team Dynamics Firsthand
Incorporating a team-building activity into introductions gives new hires a firsthand experience of the team’s dynamics. Choose an activity that matches your team’s culture- a collaborative problem-solving challenge, a mini scavenger hunt, or a light-hearted physical game.
You could organize a trivia quiz or an online escape room for virtual teams. These activities allow new hires to work closely with their colleagues, building trust and revealing strengths and communication styles. It’s a practical approach to building team spirit, ensuring new members feel integrated into the collaborative environment.
6. Would You Rather: Reveal Personality Traits
Would You Rather is a fun, simple game that reveals personality traits and preferences in a lighthearted way. Prepare a list of questions that present two choices, such as “Would you rather work remotely from the beach or a cozy cabin?” Each team member answers and shares why they made their choice.
Allowing everyone to participate creates an inclusive environment where new and seasoned team members can find common ground or learn something new about each other. It’s a great conversation starter, with the potential for humor and unexpected answers.
7. Personality Test: Understand Work Styles and Preferences
Using a personality test for team introductions offers a structured way to understand how each team member operates. Choose a well-known personality framework, like Myers-Briggs or Enneagram, or create a custom quiz based on relevant traits.
After the new hires complete the test, team members can share their results and discuss how their personalities shape their work style and communication preferences. This activity helps build mutual understanding by highlighting differences and similarities in personalities, which can improve collaboration and reduce misunderstandings in the long run.
8. Picture Introductions: Offer a Glimpse into Personal Lives
Picture introductions are a visual way to bring new team members closer to their colleagues. Ask each new hire to bring a photo that captures a memorable moment, such as:
- Vacation snapshot
- Special family gathering
- Funny pet photo
They can share this photo and explain its significance during a team meeting.
For virtual teams, these photos can be uploaded to a shared space or shared on-screen. This activity provides a glimpse into each team member’s life beyond work, creating an easy conversation starter and offering a personal touch to the introduction process.
9. Team Mosaic: Create a Visual Representation of Unity
A team mosaic is a visual representation of unity that can make the team feel more connected. Create a digital or physical mosaic using headshots or small photos of each team member, arranged to form a larger image, such as the company logo.
Digital tools like Canva or Mosaically can help with design. Display the finished mosaic in a shared space or add it to the team’s online workspace. The mosaic symbolizes how each individual is part of the whole, celebrating the team's diversity and unity.
10. Shared Memories: Build Camaraderie and Trust
Sharing memories helps build camaraderie and trust among team members. Encourage new and existing team members to share a memorable work-related story, whether it’s a project success, a funny incident, or a challenging experience they overcame.
This can be done in a roundtable format, where each person has a few minutes to share. These stories help new hires feel a sense of belonging and offer insights into the team’s history and culture, creating bonds based on shared experiences and values.
11. Desk Decorations: Make a Memorable First Impression
Decorating the new hire’s desk with small welcome items like banners, balloons, or personalized gifts can make a big impact. Personalize the decorations with items that reflect their interests, maybe a coffee mug if they love coffee or a themed notebook.
This welcoming gesture makes new hires feel immediately valued and appreciated. It’s a thoughtful way to acknowledge their arrival, showing them that the team is excited to have them onboard. This can also be adapted to virtual setups by sending a welcome package with similar personalized items.
12. Lunch or Welcome Breakfast: Foster Connections over a Meal
Hosting a lunch or breakfast for new hires provides a casual setting for team members to get to know each other. A shared meal allows for more informal, natural conversations that might not happen in a standard meeting.
For virtual teams, consider hosting a virtual lunch where everyone orders food to enjoy on a video call. Breaking bread together is a universal way to foster relationships, helping new hires feel included and allowing the team to connect personally outside of work tasks.
13. Welcome Cards: Add a Personal Touch
Welcome cards offer a warm, personal touch to the onboarding experience. Ask each team member to write a short note expressing their excitement about working with the new hire or offering friendly advice for starting at the company.
Collect these cards in a small booklet or gift bag to give to the new hire on their first day. The handwritten messages make the welcome feel heartfelt and genuine, encouraging the new team members to know they’re joining a supportive group.
14. Personal Videos: Create Familiarity with Colleagues
Creating short personal videos is an engaging way for each team member to introduce themselves. Ask everyone to record a short video where they share a bit about their role, background, hobbies, and something fun or unexpected about themselves.
These videos can be compiled and shared with the new hire in advance or shown during a welcome meeting. For virtual teams, these personal videos help create a sense of familiarity and make it easier for new hires to remember names and faces, creating a more personal connection than text-based introductions.
15. Team Cheers: Strengthen Unity and Boost Morale
Ending team meetings with a collective cheer or applause is a simple but effective way to build unity. Whenever new hires are introduced, or a team accomplishment is celebrated, leading a cheer brings everyone together in a positive show of support. You can create a unique cheer or motto to make it more memorable and reflect the team’s spirit. This small but impactful tradition reinforces the idea of team spirit and makes everyone feel recognized and appreciated as part of the group.
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8 Unique and Fun Ways to Welcome a New Employee
1. Kick Off with Personalized Onboarding Gifts
Creating a welcoming atmosphere from day one is critical. Personalized onboarding gifts show new hires they’re valued. Think branded apparel, customized office supplies, or a welcome kit reflecting your company culture. These thoughtful touches foster inclusion and excitement, making new hires feel anticipated and appreciated.
2. Clear Communication for First-Day Success
Communication is crucial for a positive first-day experience. Before the start date, send a warm, informative email outlining everything they need to know:
- Start time
- Dress code
- Manager contact details
- Any required documentation
This will ease anxiety and show your commitment to organization and professionalism.
3. Streamline the Process with a New Hire Packet
A well-organized new hire packet sets the stage for a smooth transition. Include essential information like the employee handbook, company policies, benefits summary, and an organizational chart. Providing training materials or key resources helps them familiarize themselves with your business at their own pace.
4. Prepare Workstations and Technology in Advance
Ensure new employees have all the necessary tools to hit the ground running. Before their arrival, set up email accounts, software access, and workstations. Small touches like a clean workspace, necessary supplies, and a welcome note show you’re prepared for their arrival and value their productivity.
5. A Workplace Tour to Ease the Transition
Introduce new hires to key team members, show them essential resources like the break room and supply closets, and explain relevant office protocols. This reduces the “unknowns” that can make the first few days overwhelming, helping new hires feel more comfortable.
6. Assign a Mentor or “Buddy” for Support
Pairing new hires with a mentor or "buddy" helps them settle in quickly. A seasoned employee can provide guidance, answer questions, and offer company insights. This one-on-one support fosters belonging and helps adjust the work culture.
7. Facilitate Connections with Leadership
Meet with key leaders, such as the business owner or department heads, to discuss the company's mission, vision, and goals. Even a brief meeting makes a lasting impression, showing new hires that leadership is invested in their development and success.
8. Maintain Engagement with Post-Hire Check-Ins
Onboarding doesn’t stop after the first week or month. Regular follow-ups ensure new hires are integrating smoothly and offer an opportunity for feedback. Regular check-ins reinforce that the employee is vital to the team and can help catch potential issues early.
12 Ways to Welcome Remote New Hires to the Team
Many of the creative ideas we’ve already discussed work well in the context of remote work. Home-working new employees will appreciate a welcome message, buddy program, and welcome pack just as much as office-based staff.
Making new employees feel welcome is more challenging when they’re not in the same building. You must work harder to ensure new employees feel part of the company culture when working from home.
Here are 12 ways to welcome new employees working remotely:
1. Send a Welcome Package
A well-crafted welcome package sets the tone for a positive experience. You might include company swag like T-shirts or mugs, a welcome letter from the CEO, and some tech accessories. Add snacks to enjoy while working and a personalized note expressing excitement about their arrival.
2. Conduct an Introductory Call
Kick-off with a welcome call to introduce the new hire to key team members and outline what they can expect in their first week. This personal touch establishes rapport and sets a positive tone for their onboarding.
3. Leverage Virtual Events
Virtual events help new hires connect with colleagues. Organize activities such as icebreakers, virtual lunches, or team-building games. These foster relationships and create a sense of belonging.
4. Assign a Buddy or Mentor
Pair new hires with a buddy or mentor. This person can answer questions, share insights about the company culture, and help the new employee feel more comfortable.
5. Provide Comprehensive Onboarding Materials
Prepare digital onboarding materials. Include an onboarding roadmap outlining key milestones, access to training modules, and step-by-step guides for setting up their workstation.
6. Schedule Regular Check-Ins
Establish regular check-ins between new hires and their managers. These meetings can address concerns, provide feedback, and support new employees throughout onboarding.
7. Create a Virtual Tour
If you have physical office space, give new hires a virtual tour to familiarize them with the environment. If there’s no physical office, a tour of your website or intranet can help them understand the organizational structure.
8. Encourage Social Interaction
Facilitate informal chats or coffee breaks where new hires can interact with colleagues outside formal meetings. This encourages relationship-building in a more relaxed atmosphere.
9. Use Interactive Welcome Packets
Create engaging digital welcome packets. Include multimedia elements such as videos from leadership, links to social media profiles, and interactive content that introduces company values and culture.
10. Foster Open Communication
Ensure communication channels are clear from the start. To streamline interactions, provide detailed instructions on using video conferencing tools, instant messaging platforms, and email systems.
11. Lunch On Us
Send gift certificates to new employees for local restaurants. Or order something for them on delivery. Everyone loves a free lunch, and it boosts the employee experience.
12. Host A Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Set up a virtual scavenger hunt for remote workers. Instead of finding physical objects, they locate information on your company website or intranet. You could also base the scavenger hunt on fun facts within the intranet’s employee profiles.
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