6 Ways to Streamline Professional Onboarding Process with Videos

Traditional onboarding methods often involve stacks of paperwork, endless meetings, and a steep learning curve. This can lead to delayed productivity, increased turnover rates, and a negative first impression of your company.

A new employee could spend their first few weeks buried in paperwork instead of contributing to meaningful work. A slow start can hinder team morale and ultimately affect your organization's overall performance.

Video-based onboarding offers a modern and effective solution to these challenges. Let's see how you can use it to streamline your orientation process, improve retention rates, and boost employee satisfaction.

» Onboard new hires faster with a video documentation platform

Understanding Video-Based Onboarding

Videos have changed onboarding. Instead of long technical manuals, they can now use short clips for training, virtual tours, and team introductions. For example, new hires can watch welcome videos from their team members, connecting with them right away.

According to the LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, companies that use video learning also have higher employee engagement. [1] These resources make it easier for new staff to learn and recall information, engaging both visual and auditory senses. They can also study at their own pace and review complex topics as needed.

» Learn how to create automated video manuals

6 Ways to Streamline New Hire Onboarding

1. Personalized Welcome Videos

Everyone's first day is full of anxieties and feelings of isolation. Most onboarding processes are impersonal and overwhelming, leaving new hires feeling disconnected.

At Accenture, new employees receive personalized video messages from their team leaders. Welcoming them this way makes the hire feel valued and connected from the outset.

For example, you can use guidde's AI powered capture to create personalized welcome videos. You can record brief messages with subtitles and company branding. Seeing and hearing heartwarming messages from new colleagues is sure to make the new hire feel like they belong in the company.

» Personalize your onboarding videos for employee education

2. Interactive Training Modules

Tired of traditional training methods that leave new hires bored and overwhelmed? Interactive training modules offer a refreshing and effective alternative. They actively engage learners by combining engaging videos with interactive elements like quizzes and simulations.

Microsoft has successfully used interactive video modules to train technical staff. These hands-on learning opportunities and engaging content have improved new hire proficiency and reduced time-to-productivity.

Here's how this strategy can benefit your company:

• Faster Time-to-Productivity: Well-trained employees hit the ground running, contributing to the organization's success.
• Improved Knowledge Retention: Interactive learning ensures that new hires retain information and can apply it effectively on the job.
• Enhanced Employee Satisfaction: A positive learning experience can boost employee morale and satisfaction.

» Learn how to create an engaging training program

3. Microlearning Segments

Traditional training methods often overwhelm new employees with information overload. Microlearning offers a more effective solution by breaking down complex topics into short, focused video segments. This approach aligns with how people naturally learn, leading to a better understanding and retention.

Key benefits of microlearning:

• Overcomes Information Overload: Prevents learners from feeling overwhelmed and improves focus.
• Enhances Retention: Bite-sized segments make it easier for learners to remember information.
• Flexibility: Allows employees to learn at their own pace and fit training into busy schedules.

You can use guidde to create and deliver microlearning content. Its AI-powered features help you:

• Break down complex topics into easily digestible pieces.
• Arrange videos into playlists or modules for easy navigation.
• Quickly find specific information using the search functionality.

» Create an effective employee learning playlist

4. On-Demand Video Libraries

Traditional training methods often struggle to accommodate diverse learning styles and schedules. On-demand video libraries offer a flexible solution by providing new hires with access to a vast repository of training resources whenever they need them.

Key benefits of on-demand video libraries:

• Flexibility: Accommodates different learning styles and schedules.
• Reinforcement: Allows employees to revisit materials as needed for better understanding.
• Personalization: Empowers employees to take ownership of their learning and address knowledge gaps.

» Improve your knowledge base efficiency

5. Compliance and Policy Training via Scenario-Based Videos

Scenario-based videos can make compliance training more engaging and effective. By presenting real-life situations where company policies and regulations apply, these videos help employees understand abstract rules in a relatable context. This can improve retention and adherence to policies.

Traditional compliance training methods can be dry and disengaging. Scenario-based videos offer a more memorable approach by demonstrating how policies are applied in practice. This can enhance understanding and improve compliance.

Guidde streamlines the process of creating scenario-based training videos. Its AI-powered scripting and visual aids assist organizations in developing realistic scenarios that demonstrate how policies are applied in real-world situations. To enhance engagement and assess understanding, you can include interactive element into the training.

» Check out our guide for technical writing regulations

6. Analytics and Feedback Integration

Integrating analytics and feedback mechanisms into video onboarding helps you track employee engagement and assess the effectiveness of your training materials. This approach provides valuable insights into how new hires interact with training materials, allowing you to identify areas for improvement.

Analytics and feedback make your training effective because you can use them to check how new hires interact with content. The insight helps you find knowledge gaps and adjust materials accordingly.

Guidde offers comprehensive analytics features that track how new hires interact with onboarding videos, including views, completion rates, and engagement metrics. The platform's AI analyzes this data to provide insights into the effectiveness of the content.

» Learn to analyze customer feedback

Challenges in Traditional Onboarding

1. Information Overload

According to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management, employees forget up to 50% of the information presented during traditional onboarding within the first week. [2]

But, overwhelming them with too much information at once can make it difficult for them to remember what they have learned. Traditionally, companies use a lot of manuals and lengthy presentations.

You can easily break down complex topics into short, focused videos. For example, a series of brief videos on individual policies makes it easier for employees to understand and remember essential information without feeling overwhelmed.

» Learn how to present complex information

Challenge 2: Inconsistent Teaching Methods

Traditional onboarding varies across departments or locations. Individual managers and HR personnel relay information differently, which may affect the quality and scope of the new hire's knowledge.

Research from Gallup shows that standardized onboarding improves retention rates by 50%, and it can be done via videos. [3] A premade set of training clips delivers the same information about company culture, policies, and procedures. For example, a multinational company can use the same videos across all branches, ensuring consistency.

» Check out best practices for translating technical documentation

Challenge 3: Lack of Engagement

Sitting through hours of lectures or reading extensive documents is boring. A new employee might zone out during a lengthy policy review session, making it less likely that they will remember crucial information and feel connected to the company's goals.

A report by the Harvard Business Review found that interactive onboarding marginally increases engagement and early productivity. [4]

Videos fall under this category, as they include visual and audio elements that capture the viewer's attention. For example, they might include a scenario where the employee makes choices that affect the outcome, keeping them actively involved.

» Make your content accessible and engaging

Challenge 4: Time Inefficiency

Paperwork, training session scheduling, and departmental coordination require time and resources. Any inefficiency can delay new hires' becoming fully integrated members of the company. In fact, the Brandon Hall Group suggests that it can delay the process by 60%. [5]

By using video content, you can simplify training and save time for both HR departments and new employees. New staff can study at their convenience, removing the need for scheduling and repetitive live sessions.

» Streamline your operations with AI process documentation

Key Components of Effective Video Onboarding

• Company Culture Introduction: According to a Wyzowl report, 94% of people say video content helps them better understand a company's values. [6] Employees can watch videos that introduce them to your mission and values. You can also use storytelling to show organizational milestones, making the content engaging and memorable.
• Role-Specific Training: Videos that demonstrate software or daily tasks for specific roles provide new hires with the exact information they need to excel at their role. They can pause and rewatch as needed, making the training more effective than traditional methods.
• Compliance and Policy Training: You can make mandatory compliance training engaging by using videos with animations that illustrate policies. New hires will better remember critical safety procedures or ethical guidelines.
• Social Integration: For fully remote companies, clips featuring team members introducing themselves and sharing facts about the company help the new hires feel welcome and reduce first-day anxieties.
• Virtual Work Environment Tours: Workplace tours can introduce the new employee to their environment before their first day. Large facilities can especially benefit from them because the person will know how to navigate the facilities with confidence.
• Future Growth Opportunities: Highlighting career development through video motivates hires. It inspires them to envision their success and future at the company.
• Interactive Assessments and Feedback: Quizzes and interactive elements in videos help you find areas where the new hire may need support. Platforms like guidde often provide analytics on engagement, helping you tweak future content.

» Grow your business with onboarding best practices

Measuring the Success of Video Onboarding

1. Completion Rate

This KPI measures how many new hires complete all their assigned onboarding videos. If over 90% of new hires finish the videos, it means they're finding them helpful and interesting. This shows that our onboarding process is working well. By tracking this, we make sure employees are learning everything they need to know for their jobs.

2. Time to Productivity

This shows how fast new hires can start doing their jobs well. By using videos for onboarding, we can help new hires get up to speed in just six weeks instead of eight. That’s a 25% improvement! This helps the company and the new hires by getting them to work faster.

3. Knowledge Retention Rates

This KPI measures how well new hires remember what they learn. We test them before and after they watch onboarding videos. If their test scores improve by 30% after using videos, it means they’re learning more. This helps them do their jobs better and make fewer mistakes.

4. Employee Engagement Levels

Tracking metrics like average watch time, interaction rates, and participation in discussions helps measure engagement. An increase in engagement levels by 40% suggests that the onboarding videos are capturing new hires' attention effectively. High engagement often correlates with increased job satisfaction and commitment.

5. New Hire Satisfaction Scores

Collecting feedback from new hires about their onboarding experience provides direct insight into the program's effectiveness. Satisfaction ratings of 4.5 out of 5 or higher indicate that the onboarding process meets or exceeds employee expectations. High satisfaction is linked to improved morale and lower turnover rates.

» Drive success for your company with key KPIs

Boost New Hire Success with Video Training

By strategically implementing video-based onboarding, organizations can significantly streamline their new hire orientation process. Videos offer a flexible, scalable, and engaging way to deliver essential training materials, ensuring employees are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their roles.

Through personalized content, interactive elements, and continuous improvement, video-based onboarding can foster a positive and effective new hire experience and ultimately contribute to overall organizational success.

» Start onboarding new hires quickly with video documentation

References:

1. “2024 Workplace Learning Report | LinkedIn Learning,” 2024 Workplace Learning Report | LinkedIn Learning. Available: https://learning.linkedin.com/resources/workplace-learning-report
2. SHRM, “Welcome to SHRM | the voice of all things work,” SHRM. Available: https://www.shrm.org/
3. Gallup, Inc., “Gallup - Workplace Consulting & Global Research,” Gallup.com, Sep. 25, 2024. Available: https://www.gallup.com/home.aspx
4. “Harvard Business Review - Ideas and advice for leaders.” Available: https://hbr.org/
5. “Brandon Hall Group,” BrandonHallGroup, Oct. 01, 2024. Available: https://brandonhall.com/
6. “Video Marketing Statistics 2024.” Available: https://www.wyzowl.com/video-marketing-statistics/

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