The key to employee success: Why small and medium businesses must get onboarding right

The importance of smooth onboarding

Starting a new job is exciting but also overwhelming. For SMBs, onboarding isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about setting employees up for long-term success. A well-organized onboarding process ensures that new hires feel welcomed, informed, and ready to contribute from day one.

Why does onboarding matter so much?

• Retention Rates: Employees who have a great onboarding experience are 69% more likely to stay for at least three years (appical.com).
• Turnover Costs: Without proper onboarding, 20% of new hires leave within 45 days, leading to high replacement costs.
• Productivity Boost: Companies with structured onboarding programs see 50% higher new hire productivity (electroiq.com).

For SMBs, losing a new employee isn’t just about finding a replacement—it’s about lost training time, disrupted workflows, and lowered morale. A great first impression makes all the difference.

The risks of a poor onboarding experience

Think of the last time you felt lost in a new situation. It’s uncomfortable, right? Now imagine your new hire feeling that way in their first week. A chaotic or unclear onboarding process can lead to:

• Early Resignations: Nearly 30% of employees leave within the first 90 days due to poor onboarding.
• Disengagement: If employees don’t feel connected to their work, they’re less likely to be productive.
• Missed Expectations: Without clear guidance, new hires may misunderstand their role, leading to performance issues.

A rushed, last-minute onboarding plan sends the message that a company doesn’t invest in its people. And for SMBs, where every team member plays a crucial role, that’s a costly mistake.

Best practices for creating a great onboarding experience

A well-structured onboarding program doesn’t need to be complicated - it just needs to be clear, organized, and engaging. Here’s how:

1. Create standardized onboarding templates

Every company has different onboarding steps, but maintaining consistency is key. Having a structured approach helps keep everything organized and ensures that all necessary tasks are completed efficiently.

• Develop a standardized onboarding framework tailored to your company’s needs.
• Include key tasks such as Training and Development, IT Setup, Compliance Documentation, and Team Introductions.
• Assign clear responsibilities to HR, managers, and new hires to streamline the process.
• Ensure flexibility so that templates can be adjusted for different roles while maintaining structure.

2. Assign clear responsibilities

New hires shouldn’t have to guess what they need to do next. Assign tasks to:

• The new employee (e.g., setting up accounts, reading company policies).
• Their manager (e.g., scheduling a first-week check-in, providing initial projects).
• HR or other team members (e.g., organizing welcome meetings, setting up workstations).

3. Set deadlines for each task

A clear timeline prevents onboarding from dragging out too long. Set due dates:

• Before the hire date (e.g., sending welcome emails, setting up software access).
• On day one (e.g., first meetings, introductions, initial training).
• Within the first 30 days (e.g., performance check-ins, deeper training sessions).
  

How HR can simplify onboarding with tools like Growee App

Using a dedicated onboarding tool like Growee App can streamline the process and eliminate confusion. Here’s how it works:

• Automatically assign onboarding tasks when a new hire joins.
• Track progress in real-time - see if tasks are pending, in progress, or completed.
• Ensure clarity for new employees - they log in and immediately see what they need to do, with deadlines clearly outlined.

Example: How Growee App makes onboarding easier

Let’s say Christina joins your team on March 10th.

• Once her profile is created, Growee assigns her onboarding tasks automatically.
• Some tasks go to Christina (reading the employee handbook, setting up her email).
• Others go to her manager (scheduling a check-in, assigning her first project).
• HR can see her progress in real-time, ensuring she stays on track.

New hires feel supported, and managers don’t have to chase paperwork - it’s all in one place.

What the employee experiences

Starting a new job is smoother when everything is clearly laid out. When Christina logs into her Growee profile, she sees:

✅ A personalized checklist of onboarding tasks

✅ Due dates to keep her on track

✅ A dashboard where she can track her progress

No confusion. No stress. Just a clear path forward.

Final thoughts

For SMBs, onboarding is more than just orientation - it’s the foundation for long-term employee success. A structured, engaging process:

• Reduces turnover and hiring costs
• Boosts new hire productivity
• Creates a positive work culture from day one

By following best practices and leveraging tools like Growee App, your company can make onboarding a seamless, stress-free experience - for both HR and new hires.

Because when employees start off strong, they stick around - and your business thrives.

How does your company handle onboarding?

Do you have a structured process in place, or is it more informal? What challenges have you faced when onboarding new employees?

Let us know! :-)