Do you remember your first day on the job? Whether you're young and inexperienced or older and more seasoned, taking your first steps into a new company can be a nerve-wracking experience. What will the office look like? How will I get on with my new colleagues? What should I do to prepare?
At Nota we understand how this feels, and have devised an onboarding process to help our new recruits settle in. What exactly does this onboarding process entail? Let's explore three of the main aspects together!
1. An 'Intensive Guide' on your first day
Through our People and Culture team, all new hires are welcomed with an 'intensive guide' on their first day. It may sound a little daunting, but it is there to provide an overview of Nota's journey so far, our achievements and successes, and what to expect working for the company. Perhaps more excitingly, the first day is also when new recruits are introduced to their new equipment and technology that they will be using, it's almost like gearing up for an adventure! Everything is prepared with the latest cutting-edge technology, in accordance with the specific needs of the Nota crew.
Afterward, new recruits are taken through some further introductory steps. Setting up collaborative tools and applications that are essential to the job, as well as being advised on welfare benefits that are on offer. We ensure that new hires are warmly and thoroughly welcomed, to guarantee a smooth transition into the Nota life.
Our onboarding process is not limited to the People and Culture team, other teams have their own processes to ensure new employees feel welcome. NetsPresso, for example, carry out regular feedback sessions to gain fresh perspectives from their new colleagues. Similarly, the ITS team encourages mentor-mentee relationships, allowing newcomers to work alongside more experienced team members, gaining valuable insight about the job and the company overall, helping them to settle in and understand their role in the team.
To wrap up the first day, new recruits are given an office tour. They are shown around the whole office, being introduced to their own working space, the lounge, snack bar, massage-chairs, and other amenities. Welcome aboard!
2. Leadership Principles
At Nota, we adhere to our bespoke company Core Values (CV) and Leadership Principles (LP). These values and principles have been developed over time, and our new recruits are introduced to them through an 'LP session' soon after joining.
The session explains the history and thinking behind our values and principles, and lays out some of the expectations we have for new employees, and the rules that they should follow. I went through my own onboarding process when I joined Nota, which included the LP session. Reflecting on my experience, I learned about the value of responsibility through autonomy, the importance of Nota's ground rules, and made significant steps towards embracing my new life with the company.
One of my standout memories is when we were asked to choose which ground rule we wanted to uphold the most. It was a chance to reflect on what I had learned, and to think about what I personally value in the workplace. Looking to take on a big challenge and make my own mark, I chose the leadership principle 'Over Deliver' 😊
Looking back now, my memories confirm just how important Nota's onboarding process is. It gives us the chance to think about Nota's rules and expectations, and how we can successfully put them into practice. Ground rules are important, but they are only effective insofar as everyone practices them together. Going through the LP session allows us to think about this, and to understand how important each individual is for the collaborative success of the company. This is the essence of onboarding at Nota.
3. Self-Onboarding: Adapting to Nota.
It's all well and good listening to us talk, but sometimes that might not be enough to retain everything you need or want. This is where our self-onboarding program comes in. Think of it like checking-in for a flight after you booked your ticket! Our self-onboarding program allows new crew members to gradually settle into life with the company at their own pace.
[1 on 1 meeting with the People & Culture team]
As part of the self-onboarding process, new recruits are given a 1 on 1 meeting. This is the chance for new recruits to share their thoughts and feelings of their own personal onboarding experience. Nothing is off the table, and no question is silly. It's an opportunity for you to speak your mind, and a chance for us to listen to our new employees. Your personal 1 on 1 meeting can be scheduled to your needs, with most typically coming in the first few months after joining.
[Onboarding To-Do List]
We know how hectic things can be when you start a new job, and that's why we provide an onboarding to-do list to keep you right and on track. The list is organized into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks, allowing you to work through your responsibilities methodically as you settle in, without any worries. Some crew members have given glowing reviews of our onboarding to-do list, saying that it helped them adjust and take their time step by step until they were up to speed.
[Newbie Channel]
Our Newbie Channel is a public chat that is open to everyone. If you are a new hire, and you have something you want to ask, or there is anything you are unsure about, this is a great place to ask it. It is a more informal judgment-free space for you to ask anything that is on your mind, nothing is too frivolous or unimportant. Please use the channel freely to receive help and support from each other!
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Up to this point, we have discussed three key aspects of Nota's onboarding process. As we have explained, onboarding is a crucial step in the process of a new hire, enabling them to settle into their new surroundings, becoming aware of our expectations, and their responsibilities.
Have you heard about the concept of Knowledge Distillation?
Knowledge Distillation Knowledge Distillation is a specific technique used in machine learning. It involves transferring knowledge from a larger and more complex model to a smaller model. The goal is to help the smaller model achieve performance similar to the larger model.
We can think of it in terms of the NetsPresso keyword, Optimization. It is about learning the most valuable and important lessons and techniques from a program or experience.
This is what we try to embody with our onboarding program. For Nota to continue to progress together, it is important that our new hires are given a comprehensive overview of our organizational structure, culture, philosophy and rules, just like passing on a secret recipe!
If you are looking for a company where you can develop your skills and grow alongside outstanding colleagues, we hope to meet you one day in your own Nota onboarding experience!