EMPLOYEE ONBOARDING KITS 7 Tips for Making New Hires Feel Awesome
PRODUCT WITH PURPOSE
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FAIRWARE Fairware helps you to better engage your customers, employees and partners through the creation of sustainable, custom branded products. We ensure your promotional merchandise helps tell your story and animate your brand. Our mission is to change the world through the simple act of buying. We’re committed change makers and we’re serious about sustainability. We bring emerging retail, consumer and sustainability trends to the forefront of promotional campaigns and product assortments. We’re sustainable brand strategists and merchandise is our medium. We do the homework on ethical sourcing and sustainable materials so you can rest assured that your marketing merchandise lines up with your values. Thanks, Team Fairware
Employee Onboarding The first day of work is nerve wracking for the employee and the employer. Regardless of the size of your company, the experience of ‘onboarding’ a new staff person can leave a lasting impression. Organizations have an opportunity to reflect their sustainability priorities and core values to new staff on day one. By leveraging merchandise that is ethically sourced, sustainable and showcases your story, you’ll be off to a great start. This guide will provide you with a few tips and tricks to help ensure it’s a good one.
Contents 06
The Workforce Today
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Gifting That Reflects Your Values
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Team Roadmap
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Neighbourhood Hits
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Make It Look Good: Pulling It Together
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The Little Things: Writing A Welcome Letter
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It Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive
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Stay Energized: Give Food
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THE WORKFORCE TODAY Studies show that people entering the workforce today are looking for more than a job, they’re looking for connection and purpose. They’re seeking mentorship as much as they’re seeking a paycheck. Sending a signal on day one that you are ready and waiting for them to be part of your team will set the tone. First impressions are everything. No one wants to show up to work on the first day to be met by an unorganized manager who hasn’t found them a desk, a pen, or a book to write in.
The simplest onboarding kit sends two strong messages: one, you’re happy they are there, and two, you’re organized. Creating a merchandise kit for your new employees will give them the opportunity to be brand ambassadors from the get go. They don’t have to be fancy or expensive, but a bit of thought goes a long way in welcoming new staff like a pro.
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TIP #1
GIVE A GIFT THAT REFLECTS YOUR VALUES Be thoughtful with your gifting to make sure that your values are reflected in whatever it is your new hire receives. This will help them understand what your company stands for.
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GIFT IDEA Give a gift that will encourage zero waste behaviours in the office.
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TIP #2
PROVIDE A TEAM ROADMAP Draft up a roadmap with who’s on your team and who to ask for what. This doesn’t have to be a formal organization chart. A simple word document that says Neko knows everything about our benefit plan and Joe is our in-house IT whiz will do. Bonus points if you use photos!
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NEKO
talk to him about your benefit plan
FATIMA
she’s our go to for all things graphic design
JOE
he’ll help you with all of your IT troubles
GIFT IDEA A travel mug w local fair trade will get them o
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TIP #3
SHARE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD FAVOURITES Give your new co-worker a sense of where you all go for your morning coffees or afterwork beers by creating a list or filling a chalkboard with all the best spots. This will help orient them in the office and the neighbourhood.
with a gift card to your favourite e coffee shop or organic grocer out in the neighborhood.
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PULL IT TOGETHER 15 16
TIP #4
MAKE IT LOOK GOOD It’s important to think about how your gift is presented. Take the time to lay out the gift on your new hire’s desk so it’s waiting for them when they arrive. Consider custom packaging that they can take home to use as a keepsake box after their first day.
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TIP #5
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS It’s the thought that counts. For some start-ups, buying custom branded merchandise isn’t an option on a tight budget. Instead, consider a welcome Letter from the CEO/Manager or team lead. It could be as simple as a note on the notepad you give them.
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A quick handwritten note that simply says “Welcome and thanks for joining the team!� sends a great first message and sets a tone for being a personable workplace.
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TIP #6
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE EXPENSIVE When you can’t afford a water bottle, give them a sticker to put on their bottle or laptop, or a button to pin on their bag. Both options are great low cost ways to have your new hire become a brand ambassador on day one.
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TIP #7
KEEP YOUR NEW HIRE ENERGIZED: GIVE FOOD! There’s a lot to take in on the first day of a new job. Providing your new hire with snacks will help them absorb all that awesome information about your company and their role.
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Support the local economy by getting snacks from your local shops!
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