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The Power of Pre-Boarding

Let’s talk about the often-overlooked period between someone accepting a job offer and the first day in the role: the pre-boarding experience. Here’s why it’s crucial and the tangible benefits it brings to both new hires and organisations:

  • Engaged from the start: Build on the excitement and enthusiasm from the recruitment process and start to build a sense of belonging before they even start their new role.
  • Accelerated ramp-up: Using the time between acceptance of the offer and the start date allows new hires to hit the ground running and shortens the time to productivity.
  • Cultural immersion: Pre-boarding offers an opportunity to introduce new hires to the company’s culture, values, and mission, helping them understand what makes the organisation tick and show how they can start to contribute to its success.
  • Connection with new colleagues: An opportunity to build important and valuable relationships prior to joining can lead to a smoother integration into the team.
  • Reduced stress and uncertainty: Reinforce the new hire’s decision to join and help alleviate any doubts by providing a clear narrative for them as they prepare for their first day.
  • Retention and Loyalty: It makes new hires feel valued and appreciated. This early investment in their success can optimise loyalty, commitment and retention.
  • Brand enhancement: A positive pre-boarding experience contributes to a strong employer brand, which is crucial for attracting, engaging, and retaining talent.

By recognising the importance of the pre-boarding experience and leveraging it to its full potential, organisations can set new hires up for success quickly, minimise the risk of early attrition, drive engagement, enhance their brand and achieve greater organisational success.

If you are looking for creative and effective ways to build an exceptional pre-boarding experience then here at Motivait, we can help.

We design, develop and deliver digital experiences to enhance employee knowledge, connections and engagement.

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Unlocking Success: Enhancing your new hire onboarding

It’s not just a nice to have – it’s a crucial first step towards success. Here’s why enhancing your onboarding experience for new hires matters more than ever.  

  • Setting the Scene: Providing the foundation for their journey within your organisation and re-enforcing their decision to join. 
  • Accelerating Integration: Immersing them into your company culture, processes, and team dynamics reducing time to productivity and improving their feeling of belonging.  
  • Making it personal: A relevant, personalised experience making them feel special and important and showing that your company really cares about them.   
  • Equipping them for early impact: By providing the necessary tools, resources, training and support, you can empower them quickly to focus on the business goals.  
  • Retention: A positive onboarding experience is more likely to help them feel engaged and loyal to the organisation, reducing the risk of early attrition.   
  • Making connections: It isn’t just about what you know -it’s about fostering relationships in the business encouraging team building, knowledge sharing and collaboration.  
  • Brand development: They will tell their friends, family, contacts and ex-colleagues developing the company’s brand in the market and making it easier to hire.    

 Don’t underestimate the power and value of the onboarding experience. It really can make a difference.

We design, develop and deliver digital experiences to enhance employee knowledge, connections and engagement.

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Modern Love Loyalty: Beyond a Loyalty Programme

Is your company’s loyalty program still effective? Are you keeping up with the changing expectations of your customers? Our habits have shifted, and so have the needs and preferences guiding our affinity towards a particular brand. It’s no longer merely about conducting transactions; now, we must cultivate profound and meaningful connections with our customers, based in trust, understanding, and value. Customers are no longer satisfied with mere products; they crave experiences that not only resolve their issues or meet their needs but also resonate with their personal values.

Genuine loyalty entails a thorough understanding of our customers—comprehending their desires, tastes, and trends. It means being attuned to their interests, sharing our values, and making them an integral part of our narrative. By establishing this emotional and personal connection, we forge bonds that extend far beyond a simple transaction.

Thanks to technology, we now have the ability to comprehend our customers in ways previously unimaginable. By identifying purchasing patterns, offering real-time relevant promotions, and crafting personalised deals, we can make our customers feel unique and valued. Smart customisation is the key in creating excellent experiences that genuinely matter.

At Motivait, our pursuit extends beyond mere customer loyalty; it’s an ongoing journey. We firmly believe in building enduring relationships, where every interaction holds significance, and every relationship possesses profound value. We strive to fulfil the desires of our clients’ customers, ensuring that their consumers not only fall in love with their brand but that this affection endures over time.

 

Are you looking to enhance the ways customers connect with your brand?

We are experts in innovative Customer Engagement & Loyalty – with over 40 million active users across more than 50 countries enjoying our digital solutions. Explore what we could do for you.

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Unlocking the Power of Employee Development: Potential Challenges and Solutions

In our previous blog ‘Unlocking the Power of Employee Development: Strategies for Success’ we looked at the importance of learning and development programmes in organisations for improving employee engagement, retention and productivity. However, the reality is, many organisations don’t provide the right tools or opportunities either because it feels hard to know where or how to begin, or because it falls low down on the priority list. According to the CIPD only 29% organisations claimed to have a clear learning and development plan for their employees.

This lack of investment in employee development can have a significant impact on contentment throughout organisations. Sustainable employee engagement isn’t fostered through just one area, and there is evidence to support that employees prefer genuine gestures that speak to how their company wants to invest in improving their working experiences, rather than one-off adrenaline hits such as after work drinks or free tacos. A recent survey indicates that 58% of employees say that professional development contributes to their job satisfaction, meaning it is a crucial factor in supporting and retaining top talent.

To address this issue effectively, it is first important to understand and tackle the common obstacles that companies frequently face when investing in employee learning and development.

Overcoming common obstacles 

 

  • Leadership Support and Alignment: Gaining buy-in and support from top-level management is vital for successful employee development. Leaders should actively understand, promote and participate in learning initiatives, aligning them with the organisation’s strategic goals. Educating managers on the value of employee development, integrating it with talent management strategies, and regularly communicating success stories demonstrate the impact and generate support.  
  • Cost and Measurement: Optimising employee development on a large scale requires exploring options like e-learning platforms and virtual training programmes. But how do you build a case for budgeting for digital learning solutions? Establishing clear metrics, such as pre and post assessments and performance indicators, is crucial for measuring impact and value. Linking tangible learning to business objectives is essential to show evidence of the return on investment (ROI) of employee development. Well-equipped employees perform more confidently and well-informed employees understand the direction the business needs to go in.   
  • Time Constraints: To incorporate learning and development activities into employees’ regular work schedules, it is essential to empower employees to feel comfortable allocating or dedicating time to upskill or go through materials. Prioritising and integrating learning as part of employees’ performance objectives emphasises the importance of ongoing development, and also that the organisation understands that learning is part of the working day – not an additional responsibility. Offering flexible learning options, such as self-paced online courses, can also enable employees to learn at their own convenience without added pressure. 
  • Overcoming Resistance and Driving Change: Clear explanations of the benefits, addressing concerns through open communication, and providing training and support to familiarise employees with new learning methods or technologies can help alleviate resistance. Involving employees in the design and implementation of learning programmes increases engagement and acceptance.  
  • Lack of Resources and Infrastructure: Insufficient resources and infrastructure can pose a challenge to effective employee development. Organisations need to provide access to appropriate tools, technologies and learning resources. This includes investing in learning management systems, online libraries and relevant training materials. Allocating sufficient budget and resources to support employee development initiatives is crucial for overcoming this obstacle.  
  • Creating the desire for people to “want to” learn: Intrinsic motivation is the driving force that comes from within an individual. Mastery, as an intrinsic motivator, taps into the human desire for self-improvement, growth, and the satisfaction of personal achievement. It transcends external rewards and recognition, acting as a powerful force that drives individuals to pursue excellence for the sake of the journey itself. Organisations that understand the potency of mastery as an intrinsic motivator can harness this drive to foster a culture of continuous learning and achievement, ultimately leading to higher engagement, innovation, and personal fulfilment among their employees. 
  • Personalised learning paths: Effective learning programmes are not one-size-fits-all solutions. They are dynamic and personalized experiences that cater to the unique needs and motivations of individual learners. By understanding these factors, organisations can create learning environments that foster engagement, motivation, and effective knowledge and skills acquisition that can be utilised in work. Personalised learning needs to be a cornerstone of modern education and learning, ensuring that employees receive the support and resources they need to improve, develop, contribute and grow. 

 

Investing for Success in a Digital Era 

Investing in employee development is not just a strategic business decision; it’s an imperative and a commitment to the growth and success of individual employees. By embracing digitalisation, harnessing the power of AI and effectively using technology, organisations can create a culture of continuous learning, stay competitive, and position themselves as employers of choice. Digital learning has a huge part to play and organisations that prioritise and invest in their employees’ growth will benefit from highly skilled, motivated, committed, adaptable and performing individuals and teams delivering great business results.  

By proactively addressing these challenges, organisations can maximise the potential of their employees resulting in increased job satisfaction, improved retention rates and a skilled and engaged workforce delivering benefit to the business. Investing in employee development is a powerful driver for organisational success, fostering a culture of learning and growth that propels both individuals and the company forward.  

To explore how our solutions can enhance your learning and development initiatives, visit our website and embark on a journey of unlocking your employees’ potential.

 

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Unlocking the Power of Employee Development: Strategies for Success

In today’s volatile and highly competitive business world, organisations face constant pressure to stand out and stay up to date, while driving profitability and performance. It is indisputable that engaged employees drive better results in all aspects of the working environment. Improved engagement relates to improved collaboration, improved advocacy, improved performance, and so on. Many factors contribute to an organisation’s success and levels of engagement, but one essential element that is often quick to be overlooked is employee development.

Particularly in times of economic pressure, employee development will be one of the first areas to be deprioritised, even more so in corporate settings or where upskilling is not essential to performing a role.  We would argue, however, that investing in the growth and development of employees should not  be regarded as a kind gesture or as a once in a blue moon opportunity, but instead as a strategic move that can deliver substantial long-term benefits. Recent employee statistics reveal that companies that invest in employee training gain a 21% increase in profit. Practical training and opportunities to learn lead to employees and teams who feel more confident in what they do, but also who feel valued and recognised members of a wider entity. The idea that a company would dedicate time and money towards making you feel better in your role can be a very powerful concept, and one that can ultimately positively impact many areas of a business.

 

The benefits of investing in learning and development

  • Increased Employee Engagement and Retention: Investing in employee development demonstrates a company’s commitment to its workforce. From the recruitment and onboarding stages, a focus on knowledge and skill development becomes a significant differentiator. When employees feel valued and see opportunities for growth, they become motivated, productive, and dedicated to their work and company as a whole. Furthermore, organisations that invest in their employees’ professional growth foster loyalty and reduce turnover rates, avoiding the high costs associated with recruitment, onboarding, and training new hires.
  • Enhanced Skills and Expertise: Staying competitive requires a highly skilled workforce. Encouraging employee development enables employees to acquire new skills and knowledge. This empowers them to broaden their expertise, strengthen their abilities, and stay up to date with the latest advancements in their respective fields. By investing in continuous learning, organisations equip their workforce with the tools to tackle new challenges and drive innovation.
  • Cultivation of Future Leaders: Organisations that invest in employee development cultivate a pool of talented individuals capable of assuming leadership roles in the future. By providing opportunities for growth, organisations can identify and nurture high-potential employees who exhibit leadership qualities. Leadership development programmes, mentoring, and succession planning initiatives groom these individuals to take on greater responsibilities within the organisation.
  • Positive Company Culture. By prioritising employee growth, and specifically universal growth where all employees have opportunities to take part and learn, organisations send a clear message to their workforce that they are highly valued and that their contributions are essential. This fosters a sense of loyalty, commitment, and pride among employees, creating a supportive and engaging work environment. Moreover, a culture that encourages learning and development becomes a magnet for top talent, as ambitious professionals are drawn to organisations that offer opportunities for careers advancement and skill enhancement.

 

The use of technology – how to make it happen?

Technology has ushered in a new era of learning and development, offering numerous benefits for both individuals and organisations. That said, we have all seen situations where e-learning platforms have been rolled out with too much fanfare, only for organisations to see adoption and usage dramatically drop after the honeymoon phase. Digital Learning Solutions must focus on sustaining the individual’s engagement and commitment to the learning journey, or else the positive benefits of offering learning and development initiatives will only dwindle with time.

  • Personalised Learning Experiences: Different technologies can enable organisations to deliver personalised learning experiences tailored to needs and preferences. Adaptive learning platforms leverage algorithms to assess existing knowledge, skills, and learning styles, in order to then present customised content and recommendations. By personalising the learning journey, employees can focus on areas that require improvement, accelerating their learning and development. Then by  collecting data and analytics, organisations can track progress, identify learning gaps, and refine training programmes accordingly.
  • Accessibility and Flexibility: Technology-enabled learning platforms provide enhanced accessibility and flexibility. Employees can access training materials and resources anytime, anywhere, and on any device. Whether it’s an online course, video tutorial, or interactive module, learners have the freedom to learn at their own pace and convenience. Such flexibility can really go a long way to accommodating employees who juggle multiple responsibilities or who may need to approach training on their terms.
  • Interactive and Engaging Content: There are more possibilities than ever before to include rich multimedia elements such as videos, simulations, gamified modules, and virtual reality experiences to make the learning process even more immersive and enjoyable. By incorporating interactive or even gamified features, the experience creates a desire to actively participate in the learning process, enhancing engagement, knowledge retention, and the practical application of learned skills.
  • Collaborative Learning Communities: Online discussion forums, chat groups, and social learning platforms enable employees to connect with their peers, share insights, ask questions, and engage in discussions. This fosters a culture of continuous learning, allowing employees to tap into the collective knowledge and expertise of their colleagues. By encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing, technology-supported learning and development initiatives promote a sense of community, encourage teamwork, and help towards breaking down silos within the organisation.
  • Real-Time Feedback and Assessment: Online quizzes, self-assessments, and instant feedback loops allow employees to gauge their progress, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments as needed. This iterative feedback enhances learning outcomes and boosts employee motivation and confidence.

 

Overcoming Challenges and Maximising Potential

The future workforce belongs to organisations that can demonstrate their willingness to invest in their greatest asset – their people. There is no better time to start prioritising employee development as a strategy with far-reaching benefits  for organisations as much as the individual themselves. A culture that embraces continuous learning and development becomes a magnet for top talent, further elevating the organisation’s capabilities.

In embracing employee development and leveraging the power of technology, companies  unlock the full potential of their workforce, gain a competitive edge in an ever-changing business landscape.

Valuing and supporting employees creates a thriving work environment where individuals are motivated, productive and proud to be part of the company. And to those who worry about investing in developing talent at the risk of them leaving for another opportunity, the question should really be – but what if they stay?

To explore how our solutions can enhance your learning and development initiatives, visit our website and embark on a journey of unlocking your employees’ potential.

 

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The Importance of Being Onboarded

Onboarding is nothing new. If you have worked at any medium or large company you are likely to have been through it, but it was probably called induction. For many, it is a few days of icebreakers and PowerPoint slides explaining the company in more detail, various important departments and other information needed to get going.

If you are a gamer, you would know this better as the tutorial level at the beginning of the game.

In both cases, the end goal is the same, get a new person being productive as efficiently and effectively as possible.

The big difference is the delivery mechanisms used.

First Impressions Count

An employee’s first look at the “real” company happens during onboarding. This is the first exposure to other people they are likely to be working with, to the true corporate culture and to some of the more practical aspects of their new day to day life. It is also the company’s first opportunity to make them feel at home and like a valued new member of the team. Sure, they will know something about the company, they would have had interviews, done research, possibly gone through assessment centres, but this is different. It is a time where a company can ask itself the question “What do we want our employees to think of us?” If you want them to think of you as a company driven by a culture of “death by PowerPoint”, it might be best to stop reading now.

Onboarding does not stop in the first few days after the induction, though many may feel this way. A study for the Academy of Management journal found that the first 90 days of a person’s new job were essential for creating social connections and bonds to the company. If they felt supported during this time, then they felt more positive towards the company.

What Makes Good Onboarding Experiences

Baek and Bramwell of Cornell University conducted research into how you measure the effectiveness of onboarding. They concluded that one of the best measures of an effective onboarding experience was time to proficiency. They defined this as the time it took a new hire to reach full productivity within the context of their role.

For this to happen, a new employee needs to have a structured onboarding experience, with specifically defined outcomes, and an experience that is hopefully engaging to them. At the end of their onboarding employees need to have achieved four clear objectives for the best chance of ongoing success (Bauer et al):

  1. Role Clarity; employees understand their role, expectations with it, how to perform in order to achieve expected results
  2. Self-efficacy; employees feel confident in their ability to perform and contribute
  3. Social integration – employees feel connected, valued & trusted
  4. Knowledge of organisational culture; employees understanding and adjusting to company politics, social norms such as language, goals, values and history.

How We Approach Onboarding

Some are also of the firm belief that onboarding into a new company can (or should) actually start from the day a new employee signs on the dotted line. The time before they step foot on company property is ripe for helping them start to understand some of the basics about their new employer. Much of what would traditionally be done in a conference room over a few days, can be achieved online during the weeks they are waiting to start the new role.

Games and gamification are already being utilised in the attraction phases of recruitment, with games being created to simulate everything from a day in the life of a new employee to testing an employee’s soft skills.

Following that trend into the employment phase of an employee’s journey, we can make use of gamification to create unique and engaging experiences that keep them informed and interested up to and during their first few months of employment.

Creating these kinds of experiences takes time and expertise, balancing the needs and culture of the company with needs of the new employee.

We consider these weeks and months as a quest, creating a structure around what they need to learn and understand early on. Each stage or level of the quest represents new knowledge and experiences that will help them to learn. Focusing on intrinsic motivation, we choose mechanics that support the player’s with social connectedness, education and goals to focus on, all in an environment that promotes exploration and discovery at their own pace. To this we this we add mini-games and interactive learning materials all tied together with interesting narratives and storylines. This gives the players reasons to want to continue rather than just knowing they have to continue.

Good onboarding can lead to higher rates of retention in companies, some statistics quoting as much as 69% higher retention after 3 years for companies with great programmes. It gives employees the opportunity to feel at home and become productive faster. Don’t waste this key opportunity to create a more engaged workforce by relying on traditional or even default methods, simply because “That’s how it’s always been done”.

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Motivait



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