A company’s reputation can be a significant factor in attracting new employees. Once you get them in the door, a great onboarding experience is key. In fact, a 2015 study by Brandon Hall Group showed that a strong onboarding process improved new hire retention by 82 percent and boosted productivity by more than 70 percent.
Now, almost a decade later, attracting and retaining the best talent is more challenging — and important — than ever. With remote work becoming more common, employees have more options when it comes to careers and open positions. Competition for qualified candidates is fierce.
Welcoming a new employee is more than just an introduction to their role—it’s about making them feel valued and excited to be part of your team, reinforcing that your organization is a good fit for them.
But how can you do that? A well-thought-out and personalized new employee welcome box full of exciting and useful branded merchandise is a great start.
Payton Dahlke, Director of Business Development at Strategies, said, “One of my high school football coach’s favorite quotes says, ‘You only get one chance at making a good first impression.’ The same is true for a new employee at their new company. An onboarding kit is a great way to make a new employee feel welcome at their new place of employment right from the get-go.”
In addition to making new team members feel welcome, onboarding kits are also practical.
“Onboarding kits can also serve as a great resource for new employees, providing things like key documents, work essentials, and how-to instructions,” Payton said. “Adding a personal touch with name customization can be a great way for an employee to feel valued and reduce initial anxiety when entering a new career venture.”
Let’s look at a few of the key items to help you make a lasting impression on new employees and set the tone for their journey with your company.
Essentials
A few items that are popular in every new employee welcome box across industries, companies, and roles include mugs, pens, and notepads. These essential items help employees get started on a positive note and are often used for months and years to come.
Welcome Letter
A personalized note from the CEO or team leader can help set the tone for new employees and make them feel welcome. It should warmly welcome the new hire, express excitement about them joining the team, and offer encouragement for their first days. Consider printing a personalized note on branded stationary.
ID Badge & Keys
If you have an in-person office space, your new team member likely needs keys and/or a company ID badge to enter the building. Minimize the chance that they’ll accidentally lose these important items with branded lanyards, keychains, and retractable badge holders. It’s a small token that can help them feel “officially” part of the team.
Company T-shirt or Hoodie
A comfortable, stylish T-shirt or hoodie with your company logo helps your new employee feel like part of the team. Branded apparel is also free advertising for your company as your new staff member wears the new shirt to conferences, client meetings, and other events around the community. It’s a unique way to grab attention from potential customers, business partners, and employees and spark conversations about your products and services.
Coffee Mug or Water Bottle
Include a high-quality branded coffee mug or water bottle. Your new hire will use these practical gifts almost every day — and they make a great alternative to single-use plastics for sustainability-focused brands.
Pens
We know that office supplies are often considered “boring,” but hear us out. Branded pens are simple, cost-effective, and almost always appreciated. In this case, they’re incredibly practical because employees need to sign official documents and take notes during onboarding sessions, making pens a must-have for a new hire welcome kit.
Tech
In our fast-paced and technology-driven world, it’s important to help your team members stay connected. Whether remote, in-person, or hybrid, consider stocking your employee welcome boxes with the latest tech gear to improve efficiency and performance. These branded items perfectly complement company-supplied laptops, phones, and tablets.
Portable Charger
Power banks and portable charging devices are especially handy for remote and hybrid employees who may work from coffee shops, coworking spaces, or have longer commutes back and forth to the office. They’re also a necessity for employees who frequently travel on behalf of your company, attend conferences, or spend time with customers out in the field.
Earbuds or Headphones
A good pair of earbuds or headphones are ideal for both in-office and remote workers. For in-person employees, blocking out office noise and disruptions can help increase focus and productivity during work. For remote roles, employees can use them to improve their video call experience.
Laptop Sleeve or Bag
A branded laptop sleeve or bag is a practical addition to any welcome basket or onboarding kit. They help your new team members protect their work devices when commuting to and from the office — and can ultimately save your organization money in tech replacement costs and repairs.
Wellness Items
Taking care of your employees goes beyond the office setup and role-specific tools. Including wellness items in your welcome swag box shows that you genuinely care about overall health and comfort. These thoughtful additions can help new hires feel supported and valued from the start.
Hand Sanitizer
A small, branded bottle of hand sanitizer can help reduce the spread of germs and bacteria around the office and beyond. The small bottles are the perfect size for team members to put in a purse, backpack, or laptop sleeve so they always have it with them.
Healthy Snacks
Give your new employees something the munch on when the mid-afternoon hunger hits. A mix of nuts, dried fruit, popcorn, and other healthy snacks can be a great welcome gift for your team, ensuring they have fuel to power through onboarding meetings and training sessions. If you’re not exactly sure what they like, a charcuterie set provides a nice variety of items.
Stress Ball or Fidget Toy
The first few days at a new role can be intimidating and stressful as your employees try to learn new software, processes, and the names of their new coworkers. Consider adding a stress ball or fidget toy to their new employee welcome box to help them relax a bit during breaks and between training sessions or meetings. These items have been shown to help relieve stress and improve focus.
Fun Extras
Vouchers to Your Company Store
Rather than guessing what employees may like or need, consider putting in some vouchers for your company store. That way, new employees can choose their favorite pre-approved branded merchandise items to wear or use in their workspace. No guesswork or extra coordinating necessary.
Plant or Succulent
A little bit of nature is the perfect way to brighten up your new employee’s desk space. Consider an eco-friendly plant or grow kit that doesn’t require extensive care or maintenance and can thrive in a variety of environments. Make a fun statement or show off your brand with flower pots, vases, and watering cans branded with your company logo.
Boost Employee Satisfaction With New Employee Welcome Boxes from Strategies Ltd.
Research shows that only 12% of U.S. employees think their company does a good job of onboarding. While new employee swag and welcome boxes won’t fix significant training or structural gaps within your company, they can add a personal touch to the process and foster meaningful connections from the very first day. (Plus, they can be set on a new employee’s desk or delivered right to a remote employee’s home, further providing a connection to your business.)
At Strategies, we understand that every company and employee is a bit different. Our experienced team can help you curate an employee onboarding kit that perfectly aligns with your company culture and values.
Through our unique creative process, we’ll find the perfect branded merchandise to support your business goals and boost retention and recruiting efforts.
“Share with Strategies things like your company culture, what you want your new employees to know, how you want to make them feel, and your budget for it all, and Strategies will come back with an Onboarding Kit special for your organization to increase not only your new employee morale, but also your engagement, production, and retention,” Payton said.
