Specialized New Manager On-Boarding Delivers Success For The Manager And Organization

By Michael VanBruaene, Big4.com Guest Blogger

Well planned and implemented on-boarding specialized for new managers results in fewer mistakes and disruptions to workflow and reduces the time it takes to be fully productive.

For newly hired managers any formal on-boarding process usually involves a one-size-fits-all organization-wide process and then the person to whom they report will develop an orientation to the specific position and department.  However, many times the position specific on-boarding is ad-hoc and may, or may not, include introductions (in-person and/or by email) to employees; review of a variety of reports and documents; and explanations and descriptions of work processes, vendors and, customers.  And then the manager is expected to get-to-work and become productive as quickly as possible.

Given the importance of managers to organization success their on-boarding should be comprehensive and extend for at least 90 days, or ideally for 6 months.  The on-boarding specific to their position as a manager should cover the following important areas.

Below are categories and items to include in new manager on-boarding. For details go to  http://www.advancingyourorganization.com/?p=2255.

Prior To The New Manager’s First Day

• Create an on-boarding agenda
• Meet with your current managers in advance
• Introductory e-mail to current employees

On-Boarding Content And Activities

• Why we hired you
• Organization overview
• Department overview
• Review strategic objectives and core competencies
• Department employee characteristics
• Customers - internal or external .
• Relationships with other departments
• Department strengths and weaknesses; and opportunities for improvement
• Manager responsibilities
• Manager decision making authority
• Your decision making style
• Work culture and values
• Introductions
• Initial meetings with fellow managers
• Manager goals and performance objectives
• Status meetings

For the detailed information for each of these items, and other information and tools to improve your organization’s performance, go to http://www.advancingyourorganization.com/?p=2255.

Michael VanBruaene was a KPMG Director and blogs at  Michael VanBruaene Performance Improvement Services – Advancing Your Organization (www.AdvancingYourOrganization.com). He can also be contacted at mvanbruaene@pacbell.net.