In my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations, I lay out four keys to success for running any business or organization:
- Develop and communicate a clarity of purpose and direction.
- Enlist the sincere engagement and commitment of everyone in the organization.
- Skillfully execute the things that matter.
- Build long lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with important outside constituencies.
When it comes to building commitment and engagement, I always advise my clients to “make it difficult to join your organization, but once you invite someone to join, make them feel special”.
I was reading Communication Solutions the other day, and saw an article entitled This May Be the Best $25 You’ll Ever Spend. In part, here is what the article said.
- “We called a stationary store in our hometown of Chicago and asked how much it would cost to print a batch of 200 basic business cards. The answer? $25…With that kind of price you’d have to be crazy not to have a shiny new batch of business cards waiting for the individual you just promoted into a new job title. Why? You want employees to attack their new responsibilities with a passion, and handing them a set of business cards before the promotion has even settled in will get them off to a rousing start.”
I think this is just as important, or even more so for new employees than for those who have been promoted. Make their first day on the job exciting and welcoming. Besides business cards, make sure that their workspace is well set up. This means a clean workspace with a name tag on by the door, a working phone, an internet connection and a company e mail address, as well as a selection of pens and notepads.
This should be the least you do to make new employees feel welcome and special. I always suggest assigning a mentor or best friend for a new employee’s first few weeks in the office – just to help them get off to a great start.
One more thing – have some meaningful work for new employees. Don’t make them search for things to do. Make sure they have real work with real deadlines the day they start. This will help them hit the ground running.
The common sense point here – make new employees feel welcomed and valued the day they start work at your company or in your department.
I’ll be taking Monday off to celebrate the Memorial Day holiday in the USA. I’ll post again on Tuesday, May 29.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
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