Onboarding Done Right

After finishing my degree in Adult Education, Training and Development (MA), I recently moved 1/2 way across the country for my first stint as an Instructional Designer. I'm in the thick of orientation at my new firm.

I had the first day yesterday, basic intro to the firm values etc and lots of paperwork and basic systems training. Here are some highlights:

• Orientation classes are taught by VOLUNTEERS throughout the firm, not assigned HR reps. Such a great idea! Gives the "inside" perspective as well as allowing us to catch the vibe of enthusiastic, invested staff.
• Values Training - called "A Cultural Foundation", including history, core values and vision for the years ahead. Also an intro to basic vocab used at the firm - in addition to industry specific terms, the firm has decided on a few important synonyms - associates vs employees, leaders vs managers, clients vs customers - which change the tone of things in a positive way (in my opinion)
• Paperwork collection included a very effective and clear presentation of benefits, by HR reps, including ample time for q/a - awesome
• Systems training took place in a lab and covered firm-wide procedures (email rules, file storage rules, etc) and software. Included a well-written guide for later reference along with (my favorite) a one-page "getting started" sheet for when we go to our personal workstations (things like updating our info in the firm directory, finding out which shared drives are used by our team, and setting up our voicemail).
  

It made me happy deep down to see all these things accounted for ON OUR FIRST DAY, and in a way that I found effective. Seems like they are good at equipping us with the info and resources needed to be independent. They stressed a few times that we are responsible TO our leaders - the leaders are not responsible FOR us. Do your best, the leaders will help when needed, the end. I love that.

Some of this is stuff I've longed for in the past. I think I am glad to see it can be done, it is not empty idealism or whatever. "Yes we can!" haha

Your thoughts?