Situation: The Company has identified a good candidate for a critical role. What are best practices for assuring successful on-boarding of the new hire?

Advice from the CEOs:

• Provide a fair salary:
  • Review local salary surveys and pay a salary that reflects competitive realities.
  • Consider the impression that the offer makes on the spouse. If the spouse is unhappy, there won’t be peace at home and the employee may continue looking even after accepting your offer.
  • What about a 90 day evaluation period?
    • You won’t look like a serious employer. Increase chances for success by paying a fair salary from the beginning. If the individual doesn’t meet your needs, let them go.
• Provide clear, concise direction from the start.
  • Provide an orientation to positively introduce the manager to the others in the company.
    • One-on-one meetings between the manager and key employees plus anyone who will report to the manager to establish initial rapport, and establish shared expectations.
    • Consider a lunch to introduce the new manager.
  • Set SMART performance objectives:
    • S – Specific
    • M – Measurable
    • A – Achievable
    • R – Realistic
    • T – Time-bound
  • Meet weekly with the new manager. Teach them what you’ve learned about the company, employees, and how things work.
  • Avoid shifting early objectives.
    • This is distracting and diminishes the chances of success.
    • Sudden or frequent changes in priorities make it difficult to generate momentum – particularly for a new employee.
• Don’t expect instantaneous results.

Key Words: Best Practices, On-boarding, Salary, Objectives, SMART Objectives, Orientation, Expectations  [like]