New Hire Orientation- The Musical

If you’ve had a job in your lifetime then you’ve been subjected to new hire orientation of some kind.  Whether that was someone putting a paper hat on your head and telling you to up-sell with fries on each order or if it was a more formal orientation program in a large organization, you’ve been through it.  And, from most accounts, it is typically the most boring time you’ll spend in your working career.

I have to admit that my current organization does a great job orientating new employees.  The experience was factual, yet very personal.  It kicks off with over an hour with the President.  It includes lunch with your new supervisor, receiving a surprise delivery of your favorite candy or snack, and acting out policies with skits.  It not only made me feel immediately like part of the team, but showed me that fun is allowed and encouraged in the hospital.  But what about all the companies that are still using a model of sign these papers, watch these boring Power Point presentations, etc?

I joke at work that I would like to change our employee orientation to be like a broadway musical since it’s held in the auditorium and that would be a way to bring fun, creativity, and passion to the event.  Well, today you have the power to make 2 changes to your organization’s employee orientation program.  What is one thing you would take away and one thing you would create or include? Who knows, what we share in the comments may just spark you to make a change at your organization.