The Importance of Quick Onboarding in Remote Teams

Remote working is becoming increasingly popular, but quickly getting everyone on the same page can be challenging. That’s why it’s essential to have a quick onboarding process for new team members.

This process can help new employees get up to speed quickly and ensure that everyone works together smoothly. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of quick onboarding and give tips on how to make it happen. Let’s get started!

Onboarding for remote teams – what’s different?

The way you onboard new team members affects their ability to do their job and feel like part of the team. Onboarding is essential for all employees, but it’s particularly important for remote workers.

A quick onboarding process can help remote workers feel like part of the team and be productive from the get-go. That’s because assimilating into the new role and coordinating with other team members from different departments virtually is challenging. The location gap might hinder getting the required information to get the ground running from day one. 

Here are some tips to make it happen:

1. Define what success looks like

The first step is to define what success looks like for the new team member. What skills and knowledge do they need to do their job? What tasks do they need to be able to complete?

Answering these questions will help you create an onboarding plan that covers all the bases.

2. Create an onboarding checklist

To make sure everyone is on the same page, create an onboarding checklist. This should include everything from providing new devices to orienting them to the company culture.

3. Set up a dedicated onboarding channel

Next, set up a dedicated onboarding channel in your team chat software. This will be where the new team member can ask questions and get help as they get up to speed.

4. Create a welcome video

A welcome video is a great way to introduce the team and give an overview of the company culture. This is especially important for remote employees who might not have the opportunity to meet their colleagues in person.

5. Put together an onboarding kit

An onboarding kit is a great way to give remote employees all the information they need to start. It could include an employee handbook, company policies, and contact information for colleagues.

6. Set up regular check-ins

Finally, set up regular check-ins with the new team member. This will allow you to answer any questions and ensure they settle well. Make sure this will improve the onboarding workflow and keep the new employee feeling supported.

An Added Challenge of Remote Working: Timezones

One particular challenge of remote onboarding is dealing with different time zones. If you have team members in different time zones, you should get creative with your onboarding process.

You should create a mix of live and recorded sessions so everyone can join in, regardless of their time zone. Alternatively, you could set up a system, so each new employee is paired with someone in a similar time zone.

Also, remember to be flexible and understanding if team members need to take breaks during the day to accommodate their different time zones.

Conclusion

Quick onboarding can be a tough job, especially when you have remote teams. However, following the above-listed steps and ensuring that onboarding is transparent and accessible for your new team member will be an easy ride to success.

If things don’t go as planned, ensure you’re quick to respond. Keep in mind that it takes just minutes for someone to decide whether they want to work with any company. That is why onboarding needs to be done right!