NEW RESOURCE FOR VIRTUAL ONBOARDING TEAM MEMBERS

By Kyle Dutton, DLE Media and Membership Intern, Finance and Marketing major with a minor in Economics at Syracuse University, New York

Looking for effective ways to onboard new members on virtual teams? With so many people changing jobs right in today’s Tsunami Turnover period, it’s likely your organization is welcoming new hires.

The DLE has created a special podcast—How to Successfully Onboard New Members—based on the positive experience by newcomer Michelle Ware in joining the DLE Programming Committee. And while the podcast was created for internal use, the actions taken by Programming Committee Co-Chair Dan Zabatta to make Michelle feel welcome have applicability beyond the DLE.

Dan works at General Dynamics Mission Systems in Pittsfield, MA, as a Fire Control System Configuration Management Lead. He learned most of his onboarding techniques as a submarine veteran for 25 years. Michelle is the Global Talent and Learning Project Management Leader for Thermo Fisher Scientific in Villa Park, IL.

Here are some key tips from the podcast:

1. Create a welcoming atmosphere: Whether by email, phone call or Zoom, make the initial outreach friendly and inviting, and create excitement about being part of the team.
2. Avoid overload: Piling up documents for review can be too much for starters. Gradually talk them through the job role.
3. Help them feel a sense of belonging: Newcomers should feel a sense of purpose in the organization and that their contributions are both needed and valued.
4. Check in periodically: Schedule follow-up, one-on-one conversations to ask questions and receive comments about their experience and the team. Having open airwaves is especially helpful for remote teams.

Click here to watch Dan and Michelle, and be sure to subscribe to the DLE YouTube Channel to take advantage of our fun and educational resources.

DLE Intern Kyle Dutton serves as moderator and producer of the podcast.