, at least part of the time. Many of these employees began their jobs in the office and then shifted to the remote model.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nTheir first day was filled with handshakes, hellos, in-person training, job shadowing, and informal conversations at the coffee machine. Their first week ended with a happy hour where they could interact with their colleagues in a relaxed setting and get to know them better. It\u2019s logical to think then that physical distance would cause new remote employees to miss out on these critical early work experiences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThanks to continual improvements to remote operations, companies can actually overcome many virtual onboarding challenges. A lack of in-person interaction shouldn\u2019t be an obstacle to welcoming <\/span>new remote hires <\/span>and providing them with everything they need to be productive and feel happy in their new job. <\/span>A well-thought-out and skillfully executed virtual onboarding process <\/b>sets your new remote employees up for success!<\/b><\/p>\nKeep reading to learn from industry expert, Lee Cockerell, best practices for virtual onboarding.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” width=”60%” width_tablet=”60%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/teambuildinghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/group-of-happy-employees-vector.webp” alt=”group of happy employees vector” title_text=”group-of-happy-employees-vector” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”100%” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_id=”advice” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” width=”60%” width_tablet=”60%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”1095px” max_width_tablet=”1095px” max_width_phone=”1095px” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”0px|auto||auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-32px|auto||auto||” custom_margin_phone=”-32px|auto||auto||” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”off|desktop” width__hover=”60%”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Barlow||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” text_line_height=”1.8em” ul_line_height=”1.5em” header_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”Barlow|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_line_height=”1.5em” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
6 Quick Steps to Smooth Virtual Onboarding by Lee Cockerell<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\nAt Walt Disney World, we put on the most magical show on earth every day. Every cast member has a role to play in the show, so we are deliberate with how we onboard new people. You would never put someone unprepared on stage for a Broadway performance. At Disney, we don\u2019t let someone walk on stage for our show in front of guests unless they are ready.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nAfter our onboarding process at Walt Disney World, Cast Members are ready to go. They are excited and enthused about getting in front of guests. Each Cast Member knows their role in the show, and they understand their purpose is to make sure every guest has the most wonderful time of their life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nOnboarding can be a little more challenging for remote workers. With remote onboarding, you have to do a few things to make sure every new employee feels connected, has clarity in what to expect from you, and understands what you expect from them. It\u2019s also essential to ensure everyone goes through the same onboarding process. This will bring consistency and lead to fewer issues and less bad behavior. Clarity keeps people out of trouble.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nTo make your onboarding experience better for you and remote workers, I\u2019ve outlined some steps you can follow to ensure your onboarding process leads to remote workers who are excited to be part of your team and accepted into your company culture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n1. Make a List of Everything You Want Them to Know<\/b><\/h2>\n
Before you onboard a remote employee, list everything you want them to know. Get it all in there; attendance, continued learning, expectations when you need to take on new assignments, policy on payroll, time off, due dates, promotion opportunities, time of day they need to be available. Any question a new employee may have should be on the list.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhen you think you have a complete list, reach out to people in other departments. Ask the manager in marketing what every new employee should know. What should the new employee know about what we tell the marketplace about our products?<\/span><\/p>\nThen ask the finance manager. What should they know about budgeting and reporting? What does Human Resources want them to understand about the workplace environment? <\/span>What does Sales want them to know about the questions they may get from customers?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nKeep going down the list; Purchasing, Public Relations, the IT department. Let everyone know you want to have the best onboarding process possible. It would help if you had input from every department. No matter what department you are bringing a new employee in, every other department should have some input into what they want new employees to understand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhat are the phone numbers they call for each department? <\/span>When do they get paid? How do they get paid? Think of everything a new employee may want, even if they don\u2019t realize they need to know it yet and get it on this list. <\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” width=”60%” width_tablet=”60%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/teambuildinghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/smiling-finger-point-woman.webp” alt=”smiling woman laptop finger point glasses” title_text=”smiling-finger-point-woman” url=”https:\/\/teambuildinghub.com\/virtual-escape-rooms\/” url_new_window=”on” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” width=”60%” width_tablet=”60%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”1095px” max_width_tablet=”1095px” max_width_phone=”1095px” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”0px|auto||auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-32px|auto||auto||” custom_margin_phone=”-32px|auto||auto||” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”off|desktop” width__hover=”60%”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Barlow||||||||” header_2_font=”Barlow|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”29px” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
2. The Onboarding Meeting<\/h2>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Barlow||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_font=”Barlow|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t create an onboarding department or have the Human Resources department handle onboarding all new employees. Onboarding meetings should be done by the department they are going to work in, if not by the head of the department. With your team working remotely, this will help build rapport and strongly clarify expectations from the supervisor.<\/span><\/p>\nTreat the first onboarding meeting as you would if they were right in front of you. Nothing should change because you are meeting virtually. Begin by explaining precisely what will occur in the meeting. \u201cIn the next hour, we will cover the basics of everything you need to know as you begin working with us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nThen work down the list you created. Make sure you cover every point on your list. Be open to questions along the way and offer more time at the end for conversation. The purpose of this meeting is, so people will know what they are walking into and what they are signing up for. By the time the meeting is over, they should know how they should dress (yes, there should be clarity about the dress code with remote workers. If it is casual all the time, make sure they know. If they need to wear a collared shirt for virtual meetings, they need to know.)<\/span><\/p>\nWhen I joined the Army, I knew what they expected of me on the first day. There was no doubt about how I should dress, behave, and when and where they expected me to be. You want the same level of clarity with this first meeting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nProvide the list you have compiled to give them a chance to review and ask questions. Let them know you are responsible for how the meeting goes. If you didn\u2019t tell them something they need to know, that\u2019s on you. If they didn\u2019t ask about something that wasn\u2019t clear, that\u2019s on them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nAs the new employee\u2019s supervisor, you are as responsible for their performance and success as they are. This first meeting is your chance to let them know everything expected of them, how to be successful, and what they should not do.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nRecord the first meeting and make it available to new employees. Make the video recording and transcript available to reference whenever they need to.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” width=”60%” width_tablet=”60%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/teambuildinghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/checking-off-employees.webp” alt=”checking off employee vector” title_text=”checking-off-employees” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row module_id=”canyoudo” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” width=”60%” width_tablet=”60%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”1095px” max_width_tablet=”1095px” max_width_phone=”1095px” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”0px|auto||auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-32px|auto||auto||” custom_margin_phone=”-32px|auto||auto||” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” width__hover_enabled=”off|desktop” width__hover=”60%”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Barlow||||||||” header_2_font=”Barlow|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”29px” header_2_line_height=”1.5em” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
3. Use Videos to Enhance the Experience<\/h2>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Barlow||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”19px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_2_font=”Barlow|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ custom_margin=”-20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Showing videos can capture the excitement about the organization and highlight the emotional side of the work. Share stories about people who have gotten ahead. If you have a classic story about Mary, who started in the mailroom and worked up to vice-president, capture it as a video. Videos can clarify expectations for performance and culture and build enthusiasm for being a part of what you are doing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nPre-recorded videos can be your chance to pass on information about the company, the impact on customers, and what kind of culture you have. Keep your videos short, informative, and give some inspiration for getting started. Consider these videos as a replacement for the office tour they may have gotten if they were an on-site employee.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_color_gradient_start=”#1943f5″ background_color_gradient_end=”#007ff7″ background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” width=”60%” width_tablet=”60%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”50px||50px||true|false” custom_padding_tablet=”50px||50px||true|false” custom_padding_phone=”30px|30px|30px|30px|true|true” background_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#0c61f6″ box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_vertical=”4px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(124,72,150,0.3)” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” pac_dcm_carousel_specific_module_num=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ header_font=”Barlow||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”16px” header_letter_spacing=”2px” header_line_height=”1.5em” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
GET YOUR FREE GAME<\/strong><\/h1>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Barlow||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”24px” header_letter_spacing=”2px” header_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”Barlow|700|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”28px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”10px||10px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_2_font_size_tablet=”28px” header_2_font_size_phone=”20px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The 3-Minute Non-Cringey<\/i> Ice Breaker for Your Next Meeting<\/strong><\/h2>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Barlow||||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_font=”Barlow||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”24px” header_letter_spacing=”2px” header_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”Barlow|700|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_font_size=”32px” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
A ready-set-go game to run at your next fully remote or hybrid meeting without the hassle or added pressure of developing a team-building exercise yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.14.8″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”500px” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”]