Joey Coleman on The Simple Path to Never Losing An Employee Again
Oct 30, 2023
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Renowned customer experience expert Joey Coleman discusses the crucial first 100 days of a new job, the impact of remote work on onboarding, and strategies for creating meaningful remote onboarding experiences. He explores the interconnection between customer and employee experiences and addresses the alarming statistics of employee turnover. The chapter also highlights the eight phases involved in creating a positive employee experience and suggests alternative methods for evaluating potential employees.
The first 100 days of a new job are crucial in making a positive first impression and building a strong foundation for long-term employee retention and success.
The employee journey can be divided into eight distinct phases, and employers should align their strategies and processes to support employees throughout each phase, from assessing to advocating.
The rise of remote work requires employers to adapt their strategies to ensure remote employees feel connected, valued, and supported, including incorporating analog experiences and clear communication of expectations and goals.
Deep dives
The Importance of the First 100 Days in Onboarding
The first 100 days of a new job are crucial in making a positive first impression. During this period, employers have the responsibility to acclimate new employees and ensure they feel affirmed and connected. The goal is to build a strong foundation and personal connection, so that employees develop a sense of loyalty and commitment to the organization. It is essential for employers to be intentional and strategic in their onboarding process, focusing on creating a remarkable first day, providing ongoing support and guidance during the acclimation phase, and celebrating accomplishments to keep employees engaged and motivated. By investing in the first 100 days, employers can set the stage for long-term employee retention and success.
The Eight Phases of the Employee Journey
The employee journey can be divided into eight distinct phases: assess, accept, affirm, activate, acclimate, accomplish, adopt, and advocate. Each phase plays a vital role in shaping the employee's experience and ultimately, their level of engagement and commitment. Employers should pay close attention to each phase, aligning their processes and strategies to support employees throughout their journey. This includes providing a clear job description and expectations during the assess phase, creating an affirming and memorable onboarding experience in the affirm and activate phases, fostering acclimation and goal achievement during the acclimate and accomplish phases, building loyalty and commitment in the adopt phase, and nurturing advocates who will promote the organization in the advocate phase. By focusing on these eight phases, employers can create a positive and fulfilling employee experience.
Remote Work and Employee Engagement
The rise of remote work has added a new dimension to employee engagement and retention. Employers need to adapt their strategies to ensure remote employees feel connected, valued, and supported. In the context of the first 100 days, organizations can incorporate analog experiences like sending welcome packages or swag to remote employees, organizing virtual onboarding events to create personal connections, and providing ongoing communication and support. It is crucial to clearly communicate expectations and goals, offer opportunities for growth and advancement, and celebrate achievements even in a remote work environment. By prioritizing the employee experience in a remote setting, employers can foster engagement and retention among their remote workforce.
Taking the First Steps as an Employer
For employers, the first step in creating a positive employee experience is to map out the existing employee journey and identify areas for improvement. This involves aligning the current processes with the eight phases of the employee journey and identifying gaps or opportunities for enhancement. Employers should focus on being clear about expectations, offering support and guidance during onboarding, fostering a sense of belonging and accomplishment, and continuously communicating and celebrating achievements with employees. By investing in the employee experience from the beginning, employers can create a strong foundation for long-term retention and engagement.
Empowering Employees for Growth
Employees also play a crucial role in shaping their own experience and growth within an organization. They should take initiative in articulating their goals and expectations, both during the interview process and throughout their employment. Employees can communicate their aspirations, seek guidance on advancement opportunities, and work with their managers to create a development plan. By actively participating in their own growth and development, employees can align their goals with the organization's objectives and increase their chances of success. Open and honest communication between employers and employees is essential to ensure mutual understanding and support in achieving these goals.
This week I’m excited to share my conversation with Joey Coleman. Joey is a renowned customer experience expert who has spent over 20 years in the field, helping organizations create remarkable customer and employee experiences. He is the author of the new book, Never Lose An Employee Again: The Simple Path to Remarkable Retention. In addition Joey is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Never Lose a Customer Again. An award-winning speaker at national and international conferences, Joey specializes in creating unique, attention-grabbing experiences. His First 100 Days methodology helps fuel the successful employee and customer experiences he delivers clients around the world.
In this episode, Joey and I dive deep into the crucial first 100 days of a new job, exploring the importance of making a positive first impression, aligning the employee journey with his eight crucial phases, and the impact of remote work on the onboarding process. We also explore how organizations can avoid information overload and excessive speed in the onboarding process, the interconnectedness of customer and employee experiences, and why it's crucial for organizations to prioritize both.
In conclusion Joey shares some key strategies and techniques to create meaningful remote onboarding experiences, ensuring that new employees feel affirmed and connected even when they're not physically present in the office. This is a great episode for both employees and employers alike as it addresses many of the key friction points that arise within that dynamic and how to address them quickly and compassionately within your business or organization.