Employee Engagement at Day 1 by Startup Companies

Those days are gone when the HR representatives use to spend whole day in explaining the company rules, regulations and policies by giving long power point presentation and few videos. The response towards such practice was not engaging enough for the new hires.

Hence the startup organizations have come up with innovative pre-induction and on boarding practices which starts engaging the employees from day 1. Even some organizations have started to engage even before the induction.

Some of the innovative engaging induction practices are shared below.

Simplilearn, an online learning and training platform provider has introduced a 30 day “Free Look Period” from the date of joining. During this period and new hire is allowed to continue or leave the organisation without any obligations based on their understanding of the company culture and process. During this free 30 period the new hire gets to understand the role, organisation culture and challenging aspects of the work. This opportunity gives a new employee to evaluate a perfect cultural fit with the organisation.

FreshMenu, an online meal delivery company based out of Bangalore has an induction program called “Food For Thought” where some of the new hires can get in touch with the senior executives directly from day 1 and participate in small projects based on their area of interest. Even food tasting sessions by employees on new menus are a regular practice at FreshMenu. In fact the new joinees have an opportunity to meet the chefs, witness the food preparation and packing done. They are even allowed to dive into the key process and share their keen observations on the same. Not only this, the new hires are allowed to accompany the delivery staff and interact with the customers.

Free Charge, a recharge app company, have come out with a Post Offer Candidate Engagement Program which begins from 4 to 8 weeks before the joining date of the new hire. During this time, a buddy is assigned whose responsibility is to engage the new joinee by interacting with them, making them aware of the company culture, the expectations from the organisation etc. Even laptops are sent to the new hires before joining with meet and greet sessions with the hiring managers.

Gozoop, an IT based organisation where the new employees are welcomed with surprise gifts such as hand-crafted stationery, stuffed toy or apparels followed by cupcakes. During their induction, they are engaged in group activities such as short film making to make their induction a memorable one.

ZopNow, an online grocery organisation gives an opportunity to all senior hires to visit the ware houses and stores for a process review. This gives a new hire to have a clear understanding and match their expectations from the organisation.

Urban Ladder, an online based furniture store has chalked out an induction program where every new joinee gets an opportunity to attend, handle and manage calls from customer and even spends two days on delivery/ shipment of the products.