Re: Innovative Metods Of Conducting Team Introduction

Hi All,
Can anyone suggest innovative ways for conducting team introduction when there is a new joinee in the Team.
Thanks
Priya

Dear Priya,

An introduction may be personal or on cloud.

In personal introduction, a representative from the talent acquisition or training & development team may introduce new member in the following ways:-

- By taking the new joinee at the workplace of his team mates and introducing him among them

- Introduction may also be done by new joinee's reporting Manager where he calls all team mates and introduce the new team member

- It may also be done by inviting all new joinee's team mates at a place like conference room over a high tea (light refreshment)

- Most commonly a friendly team member (also called buddy) may take along the new joinee and introduce to everyone in the team or in office/building

On cloud, the introduction is required when other team members sit in a different location of the company. It may be done by putting the details of the new joinee (including the picture) over the intranet or ERP software by giving some details like education, experience etc. In absence of ERP software an email with a small introduction of new joinee may also be sent to the concerned departments or entire company.

The introduction must be done on the first day of new joinee.

Warm regards,

Umesh Chaudhary

(welcomeumesh@yahoo.com)

Dear Priya,
First things first - what is innovative?
Are you looking to break new frontiers, or make an effective introduction so that the team with its new member/s can get on with doing whatever it is that they do best?
Will the introduction be face-to-face, online (virtual), or passive (emails etc)?
What is the construct of your team? What is the team's core business? What other innovative practices does your company engage in?
There's a lot more information you need to provide here to elicit helpful responses. But first, you need to really answer the question - 'Do I Want an Introduction that is Innovative, or one that is Effective and Works for the Team?'
Look forward to more from you.
Take care and Have Fun!

Dear Ms. Priya@searchendz,

I love thsi process in introducing new joinees to the team. Always keep in wits, the employee looking upto the team is hoping a conscious remark/impression on the first day. therefore the introduction may have to be relaxing and comfortable the first day.

• Inform the employees of that team even before the employee joins. The NJ (New Joinee) should feel surprised to see good greets as a warm welcome.

• You may ask the team to prepare a card with their Name, Designation and a Welcome message which makes the new ones sense rousing.

• Plan the day. For the employee is likely to go jaded if the day is not planned out with certain challenging items provided to him.

• Take a tour in the facility - leave him with a couple of people from his own team and they will help employee to grasp what is going around. It shall accomplish his ideas to that company.

There are many other ways by which you may try to make new ones laudable. As of now I've these in my mind. Lets await for the rest of our cite team to respond what they have with them.

Good Luck...........!

Dear Priya,

An innovative way to introduce a new joinee to the team will depend a lot on the no. of joinees, the experience they have, mode of introduction (face-to-face or virtual over the email)

However I would suggest that there should be a mailer sent to everyone in the office that we have a new person joining us.

But all the more it is important to introduce the existing people, especially the team mates and the people with whom he/she would be sharing the work place / desk.

I had been to an organization for an interview. I happen to see the induction process where the HR was facilitating the new joinees and introduced them to each other. (They were a bunch of new joinees)

Later she introduced and brief about the company, the working culture, its motto, etc.

She then helped the people to have a tour to the company's infrastructure and introduced them to each department and allowed them to have a small talk with the people, introducing themselves and if any quick question they wish to ask.

She then took them to the CEO and the Director who welcomed them and congratulated them and wished them luck for their job roles.

The culture was found to be very welcoming and enthusiastic and it just gave away positive points to the firm.

Though I didn't qualify the interview round there, it really made me feel great to have been called for interview at such place that motivates and welcomes their employees from their first day itself.'

I do not visualise much scope for innovation in introducing a new employee. The risk in attempting innovation in such simple matters is that the element of novelty may make the whole introduction look weird which may cause the new joinee more discomfort. Another risk is that a grand novel exhibition of introduction may raise employee's expectations about the culture, environment and team dynamics and if he finds an environment contrary to this from the next day - for ex. he does not get a role to his satisfaction- his chances of leaving the organisatin will be greater.Then it will be a grand beginning but a damp finale.One should take into account all these factors before attempting at novelty in introduction. It is better to keep it simple.The object of introduction shall be to make the employee feel at home on the first day and to acquaint him with basic work environment. If the employee is able to jell well with his team, theobject of introduction is fulfilled.

B.Saikumar

Mumbai

Hello All ! I believe there are many great responses already. I would like to add a few comments, if I may-
Although the 'best' time to do the introduction is the first day, this option may not be the most effective if everyone is not available. A consideration may be to determine delivery via various methods independently or in concert- tele/webcast, email, personal introduction, etc. Of course the idea is to get the 'newbie' on board as soon as possible and comfort of belonging will aid greatly in the transition. Even though there are textbook answers to everything...we need to be aware of social and group dynamics when bringing someone in the loop. These 'political' variables will play heavily especially if the new addtion is due to internal difficulties. With this being now acknowledged---
Points to ponder: the effectiveness of notification to others is what's paramount with timeliness as a very close second; innovation may not be appropriate in all cases.

In the first few days, a new employee may also be a bit nervous. If they are first time employees like trainees, even communication could be a problem. Hence, your sole aim should be to put them at ease, instead of creating an embarassing moment for them, in the name of innovation... In the name of innovation, it is possible you may even miss out important activities lined up, such as briefing on companies various policies, dress codes, procedures, DOs, DONTs, etc. So please be clear, as our friends have pointed out above, what you want to achieve ultimately !
Best wishes

Hi,

I will tell you my experience and I have found it effective.Works for both individual / bulk joinees

1. Prepare a proper induction plan. Ensure the induction includes a small interaction with all the department. Inform the staff who will be interacting on behalf of team.Include the HR book, we use to put our Vision, Mission & Value booklet, Org chart, Induction feedback form which I ensure I did after a week. You can add other needed documents like extension list etc.

2. Prepare a welcome note along with name and put it on reception a day before. Team will know someone is joining.

3. Take him on the premises tour and show him our library , canteen, training room and the monthly notice board which would have our latest events pictures etc.

4. I innovated this introduction method by adversity. I was new myself and was to introduce my new a/c manager to all. What i did had been my best introduction method ever since :) . I asked my staff to introduce themselves to our new joinee. I made everyone get up from their seat , shake hands and greet the new joinee. The best remembered part of the induction for all new joinees, believe me!

5. Introduce him to his buddy and inform your buddy to proactively assist the new joinee and take him/her along to lunch as a regular member( we had a common pantry) to ensure easier integration into his respective team. Many new joinees are left alone during lunch ,very awkward moment i feel

6. Put a welcome mail to all including the branches, if at all along with his picture. Introduce him on both on professional and personal front like previous company, hobbies, etc.Make it as interesting as possible, you can do a casual chat before preparing your draft.

6.Ensure that you complete the induction as per plan and take the feedback.

All this would take my entire day and by end of the day the staff would no more a new joinee.

I believe the personal touch and effort that goes in making the staff comfortable and welcomed is all that makes a difference