Undoubtedly one of the most crucial times to make an impact on a new team member is in Orientation. I built this 1.5 day immersive, centralized experience from the ground up for all new hires with the intention of informing, motivating, challenging and assimilating. The day and a half is filled with presentations, guest speakers, activities, bonding and a riveting competition, affectionately named the “Pineapple of Honor.”
Scroll right through the below photos to view additional Orientation information.
Orientation is guided by an original Microsoft Powerpoint presentation.
No one likes to be talked at for a day and a half, so I believe Orientation should be interactive. I created this presentation to keep Orientees organized while incorporating engaging elements such as competitions and challenges. Additionally, employees have the opportunity to “meet” their new coworkers because each person pictured is a member of the Turnberry team!
*last names have been redacted to protect the privacy of Turnberry employees
Orientees learn all about the company and are asked to memorize key facts, such as the top 4 divisions, so they can speak eloquently about their new company.
Audio and visual clips are incorporated throughout the presentation.
All pictures included are taken right in the building itself.
Examples of current employees living out our Values are provided in Orientation as inspiration.
It is difficult to sit in one place for a day and a half, so employees keep the blood flowing by standing (as able) when “Service Notes” pop up on the screen. They look up the corresponding “Service Note” and read it out loud for the group.
Orientation is a great time to highlight employee perks and benefits on a high level. Orientees are educated on what is available to them and can reference details in their folders when ready to enroll.
Orientation ends with every employee writing down 1 goal on a napkin that they have for themselves in their first year with the company. I collect and read every goal, then return it to them when it has been achieved – not to mention telling everyone on the team all their teammate has accomplished!
One example of an employee accomplishing their napkin goal!
Orientation ends with “Manager Reception” where employees’ new managers introduce themselves, celebrate the group’s completion of Orientation, then whisk them away to their new department to complete introductions and begin training.
/background(fff)/1100x711.jpeg?auto=webp)
The Welcome Workbook, a 26-page musically themed graphic booklet, is an interactive learning tool designed to engage new hires, especially those with visual or photographic memories, during Orientation.
Post-Orientation, employees use this guide as a reference for all need-to-knows in their position.
Scroll to the right to take a peek at what is inside!
/background(fff)/1100x594.jpeg?auto=webp)
This Welcome Workbook is loaded with information, activities, checklists, maps and everything else our employees need to excel as a new team member.
Just like in the presentation, there are no stock images; each photograph is what our employees will actually see on a daily basis.
GALLERY
My Orientation class sizes have ranged from 3 employees to 300 employees. For each group, I vary my approach based on who is in the room and the current needs of the situation.
Not only is Orientation a time to learn, but also a time for new hires to form bonds across the organization that will last for the duration of their employment, regardless of department or location.
Every class takes an Orientation Selfie in a different location in the building. I post the selfie on an internal social media account so our current employees can see the faces of their new team members.
Each Orientee is supplied with all of the items necessary for Orientation success!
Who doesn’t love some friendly competition? To incentivize participation and learning, Orientees compete for the coveted Pineapple of Honor. This Pineapple is filled with candy and awarded to the team who ends Orientation with the most amount of points gained through five intense rounds of work-related trivia and mind benders.
Hotel leadership facilitates Orientation sessions that relate to their discipline. This face time with new hires is invaluable for leadership to display approachability and recognition.
In preparation, presenters are provided facilitation guides, in-person training, coaching and evaluations.
One of the keys to effective learning is to ensure a comfortable learning environment. For this reason, I ensure employees are always hydrated, fed and supplied with enough natural light to fuel them through their day.