The Why We Build Podcast! Orientation vs Onboarding: Why the Difference Matters More Than You Think
Episode Title
Orientation vs Onboarding: Why the Difference Matters More Than You Think
Episode Description
In this episode of the Why We Build Podcast, host Greg Woleck sits down with Erin Longmoon of Zephyr Connects to unpack a common gap in the remodeling world: the difference between orientation and onboarding.
Recorded just before Greg spent two days with the Office Manager Intensive attendees at Remodelers Advantage HQ, this conversation hits home for anyone responsible for hiring, training, or leading teams. From that time with office managers—the true heartbeat of their companies—one theme kept surfacing: most companies don’t have an onboarding problem as much as they have an expectations problem.
Erin and Greg dig into how intentional, well-designed onboarding can dramatically improve retention, culture, and performance—and why a quick tour and a handbook will never be enough.
In This Episode, We Cover:
- Orientation vs Onboarding
- Expectations and Clarity
- Social-Emotional Onboarding
- Culture, Core Values, and Storytelling
- Building a Better Hiring & Onboarding System
About Our Guest – Erin Longmoon
Erin Longmoon is a workplace matchmaker, systems builder, and full-time toxic-culture exterminator. Through Zephyr Connects LLC, ZephyrHR, and PeepSmart (her new culture-driven platform for the trades), she helps small businesses attract the right people, manage them wisely, and build teams that don’t just work—they work well together.
Her team acts as a recruiting department for small businesses, with a strong focus on culture fit, values alignment, and long-term retention—not just filling seats. With the launch of Zephyr HR, Erin is expanding that impact into managed HR services to help owners build healthier, more intentional workplaces.
Connect & Learn More
- Learn more about Remodelers Advantage Roundtables, Production Manager and Design Manager Groups, consulting services, and other programs at: RemodelersAdvantage.com
- Email Greg with questions, ideas, or guest suggestions: greg@remodelersadvantage.com
- Learn more about Erin and Zephyr Connects: www.zephyrconnects.com
Call to Action
If this episode sparked ideas about improving your hiring, onboarding, or culture, share it with your leadership team and make it the starting point for a real conversation.
Subscribe, leave a review, and send in your ideas for future episodes— and we’ll catch you on the next Why We Build Podcast.