When a new staff member joins our team, we don’t just hand them a clipboard, a training manual, and wish them luck. Nope—around here, onboarding is a whole experience.
It starts with a warm welcome—literally. We put a “Welcome [Name]!” sign on the door, and their favorite snacks & refreshments waiting for them, based on a little pre-start questionnaire we sneakily call the “Get-to-Know-You Sheet.”
The first few days are about building connection, not just covering policies. We take our time walking them through the day—not rushing, not overwhelming. We pair them with someone who loves people and remembers what it’s like to be new. We show appreciation from day one: Little gifts from all the office staff, shout-outs for small wins, and always a “We’re so glad you’re here!” at the end/throughout the day.
Oh, and we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Our icebreaker game might include singing your favorite childhood cartoon theme song (bonus points if it’s off-key), or telling your most embarrassing moment—leaders go first! We’ve found that a little silliness builds a lot of trust.
By the time new team members graduate our orientation, our new team member doesn’t just feel trained—they feel seen. And that’s the goal. Because here, you’re not just part of the schedule, you’re part of the story.
