This blog post is slightly different from the way it normally appears on PASSION4IT. Why? Because it is told from a personal perspective, namely from my own...
Hi, I'm Sabine and I've been part of the PASSION4IT zebra herd since August. I'm responsible for marketing here. My tasks also include writing blog posts like this one, for example. In this post, I'd like to share my impressions and experiences of onboarding at PASSION4IT with you - I'm in the middle of it right now. So let's get started...
Everyone knows that tingling feeling in your stomach when a big change is imminent. Anticipation combined with excitement - that's how I felt when I found out I was going to be the new zebra in the team. Even if the nervousness doesn't disappear completely until the first day at work, PASSION4IT has taken most of it away from me, because the
Onboarding begins even before the first day of work.
About three months before my first day at work, I was invited to the office to present my Company laptop and my smartphone and to have the devices set up for use. A great PASSION4IT welcome package was already waiting for me on my future desk.
By setting up various accounts and accesses early on, I was able to familiarize myself with the company even before my first day at work. exchange ideas with my future colleagues and get to know them a bit.
Another top feature is access to the Masterplan learning platform. The team also works with this beyond the onboarding process in order to continuously develop their skills. I was allowed to browse the platform in advance on a voluntary basis. Of course, I didn't want to miss out on this opportunity.
Shortly before I started, there was an interesting online meeting with a customer. I was asked if I would like to take part. It was the perfect opportunity to get an insight into my work. It also had an impact on the course of my first day at work.
The first working day
What happens on the first day? You are welcomed into the team! As I had the chance to get to know my colleagues beforehand, we were able to work together on the first day without this "I don't even know you yet" barrier.
Thanks to my previous knowledge from the meeting a week earlier, I was able to work directly on a case study on an interesting customer project.
Being able to hit the ground running on the very first day is a great feeling!
Onboarding steps after the first working day
The onboarding process at PASSION4IT is very transparent. This means that I know exactly where I am in the process and which milestones still need to be reached in which period of time.
To give new Zebra employees a 360° insight into the important tools, processes and fields of activity in the company, all the necessary onboarding steps are summarized in a personal list in teams. Different colleagues are responsible for instruction in specific areas. The individual steps are given deadlines. All processes should have been familiarized with within two months. I am allowed to take care of the organization of deadlines independently.
...and what happens next?
"You'll be able to do everything in two months!" - No, and no one would ever demand that. We are a team and always support each other. Questions are not a nuisance, but a welcome opportunity to help each other.
In addition to onboarding, there are regular personal 1-2-1 meetings between our lead zebra Christian and each employee. It doesn't matter whether the employee is already an established zebra bunny or a young zebra chick. In the 1-2-1 meeting, both sides can get feedback from the other. Concerns and problems are also addressed openly and a solution is sought together.
My conclusion
Proper onboarding is more than just welcoming and introducing employees on their first day. Thanks to the structured approach, well before my first day at work, I was able to enter the working world - which was new to me - without any worries. This took a huge weight off my shoulders.
I have just made another (onboarding) appointment. Next week, Robert will show me how the digital signature works. I'm already looking forward to it.
