Employee onboarding is a crucial initial step for any new recruit as it should set the tone and expectation for their time within the company they are joining. That is why it is so important to perform it as efficiently as possible.
It wasn’t so long ago that new staff members were greeted with reams of paperwork and had to sign several documents on their first day at a new workplace.
Thankfully, the human resources function has significantly upped its game in the last decade, thanks primarily to advances in recruitment technology and new ways of thinking.
In this post, we’ll look at six technologies that have significantly helped them do this, which your organization should embrace if it currently isn’t.
Why is Onboarding So Important?
Onboarding represents the first step of your staff member’s journey within your company, and it is in everyone’s best interests to get this right.
The more seamless and efficient your onboarding process, the more motivated, committed, and productive your workplace is likely to be.
A good, well-structured onboarding process makes new employees feel valued and welcomed as if they are joining a professionally run organisation that cares about their employees.
It can also increase revenue YoY revenue by up to 60% and customer satisfaction by as much as 63%, according to a study by Gainsight.
6 Ways Technology Helps Enhance Onboarding
So, how is technology helping to enhance employee onboarding in the modern workforce?
Here are six tools that many companies are using at various points in the process of welcoming new employees.
1. Digital Onboarding Platforms
Thanks to online induction software providers like Altora, the Human Resources department no longer needs to bombard new employees with paper mountains of documentation.
Instead, these platforms allow them to perform some of the induction processes remotely, which means new staff members can focus immediately on learning about their new role and making a contribution to the company instead of navigating their way through complex and labor-intensive documentation.
These platforms simplify the process of accessing and managing important documentation, by replacing employment contracts, policy acknowledgments, and tax forms with digital copies.
Additionally, HR teams can create checklists and workflows that can be customised to specific job titles and departments, which makes the whole onboarding process a lot more relevant.
2. AI-Powered Assistants
The introduction of recruitment chatbots and other AI-powered assistants can offer 24/7 support to new employees. This innovation has been very useful in helping them answer common queries about their job duties, company policies, and benefits.
The great thing about these assistants is that they can be integrated into messaging platforms or companies. So, they can provide personalised guidance which is based on the specific role of the employee within the organisation and the current stage of their onboarding process.
Additionally, as this information can be automated, companies can provide consistent information and support to employees while also freeing up the time of HR professionals to focus on more strategic tasks.
3. Virtual Reality (VR)
VR technology allows companies to run more immersive training initiatives and onboarding programs because, through it, new employees can learn about company procedures in a simulated setting.
At the same time, they can learn how to operate highly specialised or technical machinery without the risks of physical harm that might otherwise come with real-life training.
4. E-learning Tools
E-learning tools such as Coursera and LinkedIn Learning are custom-built platforms that provide companies with interactive training programs that they can tailor to the individual needs of a new staff member.
Through mix of games, quizzes, videos, and other interactive content, they can engage them to better learn and retain more information about their new roles, the critical skills they need to do their jobs properly, and the company culture.
There are many benefits to e-learning. However, one of the main advantages is that it also allows new employees to learn at a pace that best suits them, further aiding their ability to retain information and enhance their job performance.
5. Collaboration Tools
Some people find joining a new company overwhelming. Especially if there are large numbers of people working within it or they have recently moved into the area.
To counter this, many companies use business collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, Trello, and Slack, which have made it much easier for all their employees to work together, even if they are in other teams or departments.
Through these platforms, new employees can quickly build an internal network, better understand the company culture, and contact others for help when required.
Businesses can also create dedicated groups or channels for all new staff members, where they can ask each other questions easily, receive company updates, and share their overall onboarding experiences.
6. Performance Tracking Tools
Companies need to be able to track the effectiveness of their onboarding process to identify areas where they can improve it.
By using performance tracking tools like Lattice and 15Five, Human Resources professionals and senior managers are able to set clear expectations and objectives for their new employees.
They can also monitor their progress and garner feedback on how it can be further enhanced.
