A new employee means integration! And as we know, this is not always an easy time for either party. The employee has to get used to a new organisation and a different daily routine, while the employer (and colleagues) have to step out of their routine to include the new person, help them find their feet and welcome them in the best possible way.
1. Why can joining a new company be stressful?
This new head of marketing, fresh from a bustling city, has to manage a team of ten people in a province that is still unfamiliar to him. How could he not be stressed by so many changes and uncertainties in his personal and professional life?
Between discovering a new working environment, a different corporate culture, getting to grips with your new role and the tasks that come with it… Not to mention integrating and managing an already established and close-knit team, feelings of isolation and pressure can quickly set in.
And that’s when thousands of questions flood your mind: Will I be able to meet the expectations of my superiors and my team? Will I be able to build social relationships with my colleagues? Will I simply be able to find my place and feel like I belong here?
For all these reasons, it is essential to establish a welcoming and structured induction process to facilitate the transition and ensure that the new employee feels comfortable and at home.
2. Why integration is essential for employee motivation and productivity
Successful integration is essential for the motivation and productivity of a new employee, as it will determine their commitment and sense of belonging within the company and their team.
A well-received employee is a happy employee!
If they feel supported and included from day one, they will be much more inclined to get involved in the company and its projects. They will feel comfortable asking questions to understand and immerse themselves in the corporate culture so that they can adopt their team’s values and objectives as quickly as possible.
Alors qu’à l’inverse… une intégration négligée peut amener une baisse de la motivation ou encore un manque de confiance en soi et les conséquences peuvent être coûteuses ! Cela va juste entraîner un désengagement et un désintérêt du nouveau collaborateur petit à petit, et le ressenti sur l’équipe sera fatal.
Let’s face it, creating an environment that is conducive to integrating new employees into the company can only be beneficial for every employee. By providing a friendly, structured welcome and positive interactions, the company is sure to establish a working environment that promotes collaboration, efficiency and talent retention.
So what could be better than organising a team-building event to welcome your new colleague? It’s a two-in-one solution that everyone will enjoy!
The teams will be able to bond again, and the newcomer will embrace the company’s values and feel truly integrated.
3. The impact of team building on team cohesion: a lever for strengthening commitment to values and objectives
Team building plays a key role in strengthening cohesion and communication within a team, which significantly contributes to the acceptance of the organisation’s values and objectives. It comes as no surprise that this has a positive impact on the smooth running of the company’s projects.
Engaging employees in group activities will promote communication, mutual trust and understanding of group dynamics.
A team that works together on a daily basis may be tempted to forge ahead without considering the well-being and place of each individual within the group. The accumulation of minor annoyances can lead to misunderstandings that will impact productivity.
It is in this type of situation that team building will be effective. It will illustrate essential values such as collaboration, innovation and respect, anchoring them in concrete and memorable experiences. By improving communication and creating a sense of unity, it will help to reconsolidate and re-motivate the troops, enabling them to relearn how to work more effectively on joint projects.
And to achieve this, there are several types of activities to delight everyone!
4. Examples of effective icebreaker activities when integrating a new employee
Why not organise some screen-free time to help the newest employees settle in? They’ll be able to ease into the adventure more smoothly, and it’ll help them feel more comfortable in their new work environment. Because, let’s face it, depending on your personality, joining a new company can be stressful. And for that, there’s nothing better than fun and engaging team-building activities.
You can start with a simple icebreaker, with an original introduction game, which will help to gently break the ice.
It can also be a good idea to organise an informal team lunch or after-work gathering to provide a relaxed setting for people to get to know each other without any pressure.
But also, and above all, sporting and recreational activities for a fun time without having to discuss work-related topics. Mutual support and immersion in the group dynamic will be encouraged.
Escape games, sporting or mental challenges, collaborative challenges and everything else imaginable are planned to strengthen the sense of belonging and commitment among newcomers.
Trust us, everyone will thank you for organising this type of event!
Beyond integrating new employees, this will also enable existing employees to feel more motivated and aligned with the corporate culture, projects, their team and the values conveyed.
The objectives of team building can be manifold, but one thing is certain: relaxation, laughter and natural interaction will be part of every experience created!
