[CZTop54]

We are developing our New Employee Orientation Program. We have all the fields; information, data gathering in order. We also take them to lunch on the first day. Just wondering if anyone out here has an innovative, positive, fun things you do that help bring employees on board in a memorable and productive way?

Thanks -- in advance for your feedback!

[Kristian Traylor]

What I have seen done at several companies that works well are interactive games that are set up and played by the new employees that are fun, helps them to get to know one another, and gives them a good understanding of the company.

For example, I worked at a company that gave an overview of the company in the morning and the employees played a board game in the afternoon where they rolled dice, move pieces around, and land on questions that lined up to the morning session. They moved their piece if they correctly answered the question, etc. This was a lot of fun, folks bonded, etc. and the winners got a gift certificate.

Another fun activity is a ropes course where new employees are sub-divided into teams and taken through a series of physically easy, but thought provoking obstacle courses where they have to use their minds and teamwork to get through the obstacle...fantastic team building exercise.

Another exercise that I have seen work is that you spend the morning going through the company overview, etc. and you break up the new hires into teams and they have to develop a fun skit that captures the "spirit of the company" and communicates what they learned, etc. complete with a panel that judges the skit.

Bottom line, any activity that gets people moving, reinforces key aspects of the company, and is a little bit competitive (in a fun way) is usually well received.

[CZTop54]

Thanks! Loved the games idea!

[bluemoon8118]

The company I currently work for has a staff trivia game. It does put the new co-worker on the spot a bit, but it is very fun and a more personal approach to the orientation. Who would have guessed that my co worker was listed in the credits of a hit Hollywood film?

[NicoleMiller]

At my previous company the new employees had the morning to fill out necessary paper and learn the fundamentals of the company. To spice it up, in the afternoon the new employees were sent on a scavenger hunt to find certain employees/departments, break rooms, conference rooms and a few nearby lunch spots. This worked well because it helped them get acquainted to the building and area.

[adebusk]

We do a scavenger hunt in our office as well! It works out very well, because we do it while they are being given a tour of the office, so they really have to step up and pay attention - and if they don't, we know.

[LisaOlsen]

I'm just reading these posts and can offer these suggestions from my EA experience.

We did an afternoon Jeapardy game that I created on PP. We also did a fun BINGO game that people really enjoyed. As the President's EA, I was involved with the NEOs and would suggest that other CEO EAs work with your HR department on involvement. As the "eyes and ears" for the President, it was a great way for me to learn about the new employees.

Another suggestion for NEO's is to take them on a quick tour and introduce them to a few key people in the organization. The larger the organization, of course, the more challenging this is - but we found it was a great way to expose new employees.

Also, if possible, have your executives drop in for a Meet and Greet. As the Senior EA, I was responsible for scheduling at least one executive (either the Pres or one of the VPs) to visit the monthly orientations for ten minutes. This was a priority and really sent a positive message to the new employees. They took time to explain the vision of the company and it made them "personal" to the group. In my ten years with that company, there was only two times that no executives were available.

[Jodith]

One company I worked for had a mentorship program for new employees. An employee at the same level will be paired up with the new employee. He would take the new guy out for lunch the first day, and meet with him once a week or so for about 6 months. Answer questions, introduce him to people, that sort of thing. We were a big, multinational company, so this program helped new hires to feel like someone cared about them as an individual as opposed to a cog in a machine, as can often happen in big companies.

My direct boss in that office would also have a quarterly icecream social for all of his employees in that city (about 70 people). We would take over one of the cafeteria's for an hour after the lunch rush, and give everyone a chance to get to know each other away from the hustle and bustle of the office.

[uvar12]

Wow great suggestions

[PPS]

Originally Posted by CZTop54

We are developing our New Employee Orientation Program. We have all the fields; information, data gathering in order. We also take them to lunch on the first day. Just wondering if anyone out here has an innovative, positive, fun things you do that help bring employees on board in a memorable and productive way?

Thanks -- in advance for your feedback!

Hi, not sure if you are you still looking for ideas on this?
We developed a New Employee survival kit to give the employee on their first day. It contained a welcome card, small pack of tissues, pens, paper, minties (lollies,candy), and health bar, and a range of other goodies designed to make the person feel welcomed and at home. We always received good feedback on this small gift and made entry into the organisation memorable.