New Hire Onboarding With Authenticity

Meet Peter Catchings, the newer addition to Common Group, a social impact strategy firm located in San Francisco. Peter is a Consultant Manager on the Common Group team, where he is responsible for overseeing product, program, and change management for several internal and external projects. Recognizing the importance of connection in creating a positive impact for communities in need, Peter wanted to enhance the way the internal team at Common Group communicated about their interests, working preferences, professional experiences, and personal stories. To accomplish this, Peter reimagined what Common Group’s onboarding could look like for new hires.

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For Peter, Candor provided a perfect platform to foster genuine conversations and fill in missing pieces during the onboarding process. As a fan of user manuals and organized approaches, Peter found Candor's prompts and features invaluable for creating a more holistic onboarding experience.

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The struggle to onboard remote employees

Before Candor, the Common Group team identified some hiccups that were important to solve as the company continued to grow and attract new partners. This included some of the more difficult parts of onboarding remotely:

1. Time Zone Disparities: Managing a globally distributed team introduces the challenge of coordinating across different time zones. Scheduling collaborative sessions or onboarding activities becomes a logistical puzzle, making it challenging to find convenient times for everyone involved.
2. Limited Synergy in Remote Settings: Remote work can create a barrier to fostering personal connections within the team. Building synergy, understanding individual working styles, and establishing a cohesive team culture become more challenging when physical interactions are limited.
3. Communication Barriers: The reliance on digital communication tools can lead to communication barriers, making it difficult for new employees to feel truly integrated into the team. Clear and open communication is vital for effective onboarding, and these barriers can hinder the process.
4. Remote Work Fatigue: Continuous remote work can contribute to feelings of isolation and fatigue. New employees may experience challenges in navigating remote work environments and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, impacting their overall onboarding experience.
5. Difficulty in Team Integration: Integrating new team members into an existing remote team culture can be challenging. Without the casual interactions that often occur in a physical office, new employees may struggle to feel connected and part of the team.
6. Technology Learning Curve: Embracing new digital tools and platforms is essential for remote work, but it can also pose a learning curve for new hires. Navigating these technologies efficiently is crucial for effective collaboration, and a lack of familiarity can impede the onboarding process.

"Common Group’s onboarding process didn’t feel sustainable for the speed at which our company was growing. Common Group is both remote and encouraging of having employees from around the globe. As we continued to add new teammates to our crew it felt as if we were really missing out on key pieces of information like meeting preferences, feedback styles, and working time zones."

— Peter Catchings, Common Group

Using Candor to get to know new hires

Integrating Candor into the onboarding process helped Common Group from the onset. New hires could fill out their Candor profiles and take a look at the colleagues that they would soon be collaborating with. Peter noted how unique and varied the questions were, including not only professional aspects, but also personal features as well—from values and motivations to pet peeves. Candor provided Common Group a one-stop-shop for interesting conversation starters during coffee chats, ice breakers to start meetings from, in addition to a more holistic onboarding experience.

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"Using Candor profiles has been incredibly helpful. When I first joined Common Group, I felt as if I only had insight into who a few people at the company were. Now, new hires are able to see all of their teammates instantly, while having increased visibility to who they are outside of work and what they stand for within this philanthropic sector. It’s been a huge catalyst for teammates to build genuine relationships with one another.

— Peter Catchings, Common Group

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The integration of Candor into Common Group’s onboarding process has not only eased the transition for new hires but has also paved the way for a more interconnected and understanding team. In an era where remote work is increasingly the norm, this approach to team-building is invaluable. For Peter, and by extension for any leader looking to build a strong, coherent team, Candor provides a scalable solution that marries efficiency with authenticity.

The Key Pieces: What to Get Right When Onboarding Remote Employees

Successfully onboarding remote employees requires careful consideration and intentional strategies to address the unique challenges posed by distance and digital communication. Here are the key pieces to get right when onboarding remote team members:

1. Clear Communication Channels: Establishing clear and effective communication channels is crucial. Ensure that remote employees have access to the necessary tools and platforms for seamless communication. This includes messaging apps, video conferencing tools, and project management software.
2. Comprehensive Onboarding Documentation: Provide detailed and comprehensive onboarding documentation that covers essential information such as company policies, procedures, and team structures. Clear guidelines help remote employees navigate their roles with confidence.
3. Virtual Welcome Sessions: Host virtual welcome sessions to introduce new hires to the team and company culture. Use tools like Zoom to create a more personal connection, allowing employees to see faces and interact with their colleagues, even if it's through a screen.
4. Personalized Introductions and Ice Breakers: Facilitate personalized introductions and ice breakers to help remote employees get to know their colleagues on a personal level. This can include virtual coffee chats, team-building activities, or introductions through platforms like Candor, as in Peter Catchings' case.
5. Mentorship Programs: Implement mentorship programs to pair new hires with experienced team members. Having a mentor provides valuable support and guidance, helping remote employees navigate the nuances of the organization and fostering a sense of belonging.
6. Scheduled Check-ins and Feedback Sessions: Establish a schedule for regular check-ins and feedback sessions. These meetings provide opportunities for remote employees to discuss their progress, address concerns, and receive constructive feedback, fostering a supportive work environment.
7. Remote Work Best Practices: Share remote work best practices and guidelines to help employees adapt to a remote work environment successfully. Provide tips on time management, communication etiquette, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

By addressing these key pieces, organizations can create a comprehensive and effective onboarding process for remote employees. Emphasizing clear communication, personal connections, and ongoing support sets the foundation for a positive and successful remote work experience.

Transform your onboarding experience

Don’t just take our word for it. Experience the transformative power of Candor for yourself and your team. Sign up today to unlock a new dimension in team-building and collaboration.

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