BeePail the BLOG

How to improve onboarding process

April 17, 2023

Hiring the right talent can be challenging for HR professionals. It is the responsibility of HR to make sure that new hires feel valued. An efficient onboarding program will be highly helpful in this regard therefore it is important to understand how to improve onboarding process.

The purpose is to make new hires feel comfortable by making them familiar with the culture, expectations, and goals of the company. This transition will help them in becoming efficient contributors to the organization.

Here are the contents of this article:

In this article we have compiled a list of the various strategies on how to improve onboarding process.

Building pillars of onboarding

Dr. Talya Bauer from the Society of Human Resource Management has suggested four distinct levels of onboarding.

These are generally known as “Four Cs”:

Compliance: The new hire should have a clear idea about the rules and regulations which he needs to comply with.
Clarification: It refers to making sure that new hire understands job expectations.
Culture: The onboarding process should provide the new hire with the knowledge of culture and norms of the company.
Connections: It refers to helping new hires establish a valuable information network.

These are the building blocks of how to make onboarding more effective. With the help of these pillars onboarding strategies, goals and measures must be drafted. This investment in planning will guarantee smooth execution of the onboarding process.

Creating an onboarding team

Planning, execution, and monitoring of the onboarding process is not one person’s task. Therefore, a team for onboarding should be created consisting of onboarding manager, specialist, and executives.

This team will be responsible for the following tasks:

This team will determine the onboarding goals, objectives, strategies, and processes.
They will ensure that the onboarding process is organized and streamlined.
They shall create onboarding policies, perform paperwork, welcome and assist new hires, facilitate tours, provide a presentation about rules regulations, and culture, and help in building interpersonal networks
This team will ensure smooth implementation of the process and makes sure that the pre-determined goals and objectives are met.

The sole purpose of the creation of a team is to improve the new employee experience at work. It will positively impact their sense of commitment which will lead to high employee performance.

Turning to technology

Technology has and continues to aid civilization in many ways. It improves time, efficiency, and cost and enhances communication. An onboarding specialist team has to start the process before the new hires join. Here onboarding software can be utilized.

The system can manage the documentation, payroll, and progress of the process. The software can create “meet the team” sessions, use gamification, and video simulation to get the new hire familiar with the organization.

You will find a good example on Efectio.com digital onboarding. As Efectio team says, a successful onboarding procedure may develop business culture while saving time and boosting productivity. To save time and money, Efectio offers automatic onboarding strategies with ready-to-use settings.

Pairing with a mentor

There is always a possibility that the new hire may feel uncomfortable asking coworkers and their managers for help. For this purpose, it will be very effective to pair a new hire with a mentor. Surveys shows that even after onboarding, 70% of the new employees feel unprepared for the new role.

Mentors assist new hires in immediately feeling like a valued member of the team. They will serve as a friend and be in charge of responding to any inquiries about the position and the company.

They will connect the new employee with other employees in the organization and support an effortless transition into his position.

Building a career development plan

Statistics show that 34% of employees say that a lack of career opportunities made them leave their jobs. The first six months of new hires are the most crucial period as they might start to look for opportunities if they don’t feel appreciated in the organization.

Building a career development plan will be helpful in this regard. It improves employee satisfaction, increases retention, and enriches the organization’s culture. New hires will feel high appreciation and motivation if they receive such a plan on the first day of their job.

This plan will have a list of short- and long-term goals and opportunities to achieve innovative experiences. It can help in setting clear expectations between the new hire and the manager.

Asking for feedback

Feedbacks are valuable information which can used for effective decision making. At the end of each onboarding process, human resources should ask for feedback and continuously look for improvements in their onboarding process.

Our business environments are getting more creative and advanced day by day. Organizations cannot create one process and then stick to it for many years. They must continuously update their processes according to the current changes as required.

It will help in keeping them aligned with goals and strategies. A confidential employee survey will help in gathering honest feedback. This survey is perfect for new hires, managers and onboarding teams as needed.

Conclusion

The implementation of the above strategies will ensure efficient onboarding. The successful application of the process will further lead to high employee engagement, productivity and help in building the confidence of new hires that shall be retained for many years.

A survey by Workable in 2020 states that with the rise of remote & hybrid work, onboarding has become more challenging than ever. Organizations must work and invest in retaining their key talents.

A strong onboarding can lead to accomplishing a competitive advantage. This advantage will further guide towards organizational success. Therefore knowing how to improve onboarding process is more important than ever.

Check out our related articles on this topic – What is a company culture and Google company culture values.

What is silence retreat

November 14, 2022

Retreats have become increasingly popular in recent years. The word ‘retreat’ means to separate oneself from society and to be alone with oneself. Silence retreats have become especially popular. It is an opportunity to live in a spiritual world rather than a material one. To organise your thoughts, to listen to yourself, to let yourself feel new things.

However, all retreats are not the same. There are meditation retreats, yoga retreats, mental health retreats, even weight loss retreats. Most often they take place somewhere away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world – in the countryside, in nature. One of the most popular retreats is the silence retreat.

We have written an article on The most popular types of retreats. In this article learn more about what is a silence retreat and what are its most important parts.

Silence can be healing

Does something as simple as silence really have magical powers? Research shows that silence can stimulate the formation of new brain cells. Noise, on the other hand, has a negative impact on health. People who work in noisy environments may be at increased risk of high blood pressure and heart attacks.

When there is noise around, it is harder to concentrate, all attention is focused on the environment and less on our inner world. Those who spend their days in noisy environments will attest to how soothing and pleasant it is to spend the end of the day in peace and quiet.

Silence affects not only physical but also mental health. It relaxes both body and mind, improves memory and relieves tension. In 2005, a study found that two minutes of silence was more effective against tension than special relaxing music. It is also easier to collect thoughts, set goals and reflect in silence.

Somewhat paradoxically, silence can also improve communication skills and help build stronger relationships. So the benefits of silence are plenty. It is no wonder that silent retreats have been created.

Meditation plays an important role

A retreat does not simply consist of silence and doing nothing. Meditation is at the heart of many such retreats. This ancient practice, which has been practised by humans since 1500 BC, seems to have flourished again. Meditation has been important in various religions.

Meditation can take different forms

In the distinctly Eastern world, Vedic or Hindu meditation, Buddhist meditation, Tao meditation. Quite naturally, many, many retreats also have this practice. Meditation calms, improves well-being and self-esteem. For some people it means getting closer to themselves, and for others it even means getting closer to God.

People do not talk during meditation. However, meditation is not just about sitting in the lotus position. It can also be an activity, such as walking. Often different forms of meditation are combined. It is not uncommon for retreats to take six, seven or more hours a day. But why is silence so important? Does silence really have power?

Silence in meditation

It could be said that for many, life is full of noise. It can be both external and internal. The hustle and bustle of the city, the hustle and bustle of work, the constant conversations with other people. Internally, this noise can take the form of thoughts, some of which affect the quality of our lives.

It may be self-consciousness about things – things that have not been done, things that have not been realised etc. By being silent and distracted from the everyday, we finally have the opportunity to shelve these thoughts. It is a calming, almost purifying process. Inner peace is something we all strive for at the end of the day.

And the effectiveness of meditation is backed by science. Experts have carried out studies and analysed the effects of meditation on people. It has been shown that meditation relaxes the muscles, makes breathing slower and more efficient, increases the activity of the central and frontal slow electrical waves and brings about other changes in the body.

What does a typical silence retreat look like?

Although on the surface it might seem that retreats are all about relaxation, in reality most retreats follow a fairly strict daily routine.

Early morning

Many silence retreats require an early start – around 6 or 7am. Then, before breakfast, participants indulge in the first meditation or yoga session of the day. The duration of the retreats varies, there are silence retreats lasting a few days or a few weeks.

Yoga and meditation

Most often, two activities – yoga and meditation – take up the majority of the time on the silence retreat agenda. In between meals, yoga and meditation sessions, there is also time for physical activity. This can be a walk in nature, climbing mountains, swimming.

Physical activities are most often tailored to the location of the retreat. The surrounding environment, be it a forest, mountains or lake, is used.

Free time to yourself

Although quite intensive work on oneself is done, most retreats also include free time. This can be spent at your own discretion – for example, reading books. Of course, there are also retreats that do not include much free time.

In these types of retreats, most of the day is spent practising various meditation and yoga techniques. Find out more about retreats in category All about retreats.

One thing is clear: a silent retreat is a good way to get away from the rush and stress of everyday life for several days or even weeks. Anyone can benefit from the peace and relaxed contemplation.

Check out our other articles on health such as Tasty and healthy water recipes.

Gift ideas for boss

September 9, 2022

When it comes to finding gift ideas for the people in the corporate world, it can be challenging. The gift has to be formal but in many cases it can also be useful and fun. It all really depends on the relationship you have with your co-workers, colleagues and in this case – your boss. For some formal and also exciting gift ideas for boss keep reading this article.

Here you will find both practical and exciting gift ideas for the boss. Some of these will be more pricey than others. But keep in mind that some of the gifts can be given not only from you but from the whole team – especially the more expensive ones.

Let me know if you have any other ideas I could add to the list!

A gift card in a restaurant

A tasteful gift for the boss will be a gift card in a restaurant of either your or their choice. It is desirable to choose a tasteful and fine restaurant, so that a visit to the restaurant will have a festive feeling. It could be a restaurant with a good menu or a specific restaurant that gives them a new experience.

The best part about giving a gift card are the many possibilities. Your boss will be able to pick the time when to go to the restaurant and with whom. Going to restaurants is always a nice time not only because of the food but also because of the good atmosphere and service. Besides, who doesn’t love food? Even the most serious and intimidating boss has to eat so a good meal will definitely warm his heart.

Coffee gift set

If the boss you are looking for a gift for is a real coffee lover, then they will definitely enjoy the opportunity to try out a new kind of coffee. Maybe they already have their favorite coffee, but maybe you can surprise them with something they haven’t tried yet. For real coffee lovers there isn’t anything better than getting to know even more kinds of coffees.

There are also different types of coffee that your boss might prefer. Maybe ground coffee will be the best choice, but maybe some untried and aromatic coffee beans will be the right choice. The main thing is to take care of the beautiful packaging to give the gift a special value. Also take into consideration if your boss has a coffee machine at home or the office.

For example, this coffee and chocolate tasting gift set will be an awesome choice.

Air quality monitor

In these modern times it is often possible to become very passionate about the pile of work to be done. Without even realizing it, we allow it to grow and grow. Unfortunately, in the eternal daily rush, we forget to prioritize our health and well-being. As important as it is to drink water regularly during the day, it is also important to be in fresh air.

Of course, the best way to do this is to go outside. If that is not possible, an air quality monitor may be a good alternative. It is a modern invention that serves as a reminder to take care of your health. It determines the air quality and warns you when it is time to ventilate the room. Such a gift for a boss who works a lot, could be a good reminder to take care of themselves.

A gift for their hobby

Another gift card can be a good choice for your boss if you know their hobbies. A gift card for their hobby that you are aware of will make your boss feel appreciated. Everybody needs time for relaxation outside of work. Some work more than others, and this will be a great reminder for your hard working boss to take astep back and spend some quality time.

The most popular hobbies are fishing, sports, music and crafting. These are hobbies where it is always possible to develop and new accessories are needed. In addition, only the owner of the hobby knows what would be most useful for the hobby at the moment. That is why a gift card for hobbies is a great choice. It is a universal and useful gift to be a pleasure to receive.

Wine degustation

Those who know excellent wine will definitely not be unfamiliar with wine tastings. It is an exciting process, during which you can get acquainted with a wide variety of wines from the world and be sure to find your favorites. Wine tasting could also be a great activity for somebody to enjoy who is not a great wine expert, but would like to know more about it.

Wine tastings can take place in restaurants and various events, but the best experience will definitely be in the winery. It will be an opportunity to taste delicious wine, discover new flavors and learn interesting information about winemaking processes. This is a fun gift to give your boss if they are open to going wine tasting.

A planner for a new year

If the new year is approaching, a good gift idea could be a planner for the next year. At the end of the year we all usually conduct research on upcoming works, setting goals to be achieved during the year. A great helper is a planner – both for those who have been using it for years, and for those who will only discover one for the first time this year.

Planners are very different and everyone should be able to choose the most suitable for them. Nowadays, they are no longer just pages with free lines of personal notes. These are whole notebooks where you can add pictures, write down appointments, plan your workouts, walks, budget, bills. The whole day can be accommodated in the planner, therefore it is a useful gift for anybody in the corporate world.

A smart water bottle

A sustainable water bottle is a great way of hydrating during the day. Since it serves as a reminder to do so, you can drink enough water more easily because you are constantly reminded of it. If your boss tends to drown themselves in a lot of work, then this can be another gift idea for them to take care of their health more.

The best choice is a smart water bottle. It literally reminds you to drink more water and do it regularly. It is connected to an app that you can set up by your needs. It can remind, for example, to drink water every hour or so. Hydrate Spark water bottles are one of the best on the market at the moment.

A flight with a hot air balloon

There are adventures that everyone must experience at least once in their life. A hot air balloon flight is undoubtedly one of the things everyone should put on their adventure list. It is a breathtaking experience that allows you to enjoy unprecedented emotions, look at the world from a different point of view (literally) and feel free.

A hot air balloon flight is a beautiful gift to give to someone on a special holiday. For example, if your boss is turning 40 or 50, it might be an amazing gift idea to receive. Flights take place all year round, but only in favorable weather conditions – to ensure both safety and good visibility. Although the feeling of flying would be surreal in any case, a flight in fog would not be as gorgeous and emotional as a flight in clear weather. The perfect gift for the adventurous boss.

A universal gift card

I already mentioned a few options for gift cards as great choices for your boss. The last time to mention this, I must say that a universal gift card could be a great choice too. It is an especially appropriate choice for a gift in the corporate world.

Universal simply means that it can be used in a wide range of stores or offered in the store. For example, it can be a mall gift card that works in a bunch of different stores. You are getting your boss a good and useful gift but what they do with it and what they buy – totally their own business.

A ride on a yacht

A trip on a yacht is an exclusive gift that allows you to experience the interaction of wind and waves, enjoy the beautiful views and the company of the people you take with you. If you are still looking for gift ideas for boss who is adventurous and likes spending time outdoors, this could be a fun gift.

You could organize it with your colleagues and throw a surprise party for your boss. Another option is simply finding a yacht service near you. That way you could get another gift card that your boss could use. Then they would be able to invite their family and friends, and have a beautiful celebration on the yacht. Fancy and fun!

The Boss mug

A simple and effective gift idea is a cool mug that your boss would use every day in the office. If your boss still does not have an iconic The Boss mug then it is about time you and your colleagues finally create a fun mug for them.

I have created a whole article on how a fun mug can really brighten your everyday life. Most times when we choose to drink coffee or tea, it is almost a self care act. Therefore from now on your boss will also be able to smile at some funny mug of theirs. Make sure to take in consideration their sense of humor too.

Check out some mug ideas in my article Fun mugs for a good day.

Laptop stand for the office

At a time when almost everyone has their own laptop, of course it is also widely used. This does not mean that we know how to use it as functionally as possible for the health of both us and our computer. When a laptop is placed on a desk, it is often not at a right angle. As a result, we have to look down, which is also damaging our posture. So another good gift for the health of our boss is a laptop stand.

A gadget like a laptop stand can greatly improve this situation. It is available in different lengths and is most often adjustable so that everyone can personalize it to their own needs.

Interesting reading material

Reading material is also something to think about while choosing gift ideas for boss. If your boss is a huge reader, then new books of their liking could be a useful gift. Maybe you know what they prefer to read more – it could also be a specific magazine. Then a subscription for a whole year could be an amazing gift idea.

If your boss is one of those who have piles of books everywhere, a good gift to get them from the whole team could be an e-book. Such as Kindle, for example. Just have to make sure beforehand that your boss is open to reading from an actual e-book. That would for sure save a lot of money and space in the office and home!

Either way, I hope you found some useful gift ideas for boss. Let me know!

Meanwhile you can check my other articles. If your boss is a man, then some gifts for article 40th birthday gift ideas for men could be useful.

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