Therefore, a strong induction process that takes this into account is critical to build engagement and mutual trust.

For i3Secure specifically, most of the team are ex-military, which presents another challenge for new starters to transition from a service environment to a private sector role. The Directors were keen to reduce potential nervousness caused by unfamiliarity and uncertainty about the change.

HOW WE HELPED

To address these issues, we conducted a comprehensive review and overhaul of the onboarding process:

Stakeholder Interviews:

• Engaged with recent new starters to identify areas for improvement in their induction experience.

• Consulted managers to understand their operational needs, such as security clearance, right-to-work checks, IT access, and equipment setup.

Process Development:

• Designed a streamlined onboarding process from start to finish, ensuring all critical steps were captured, including skills, knowledge and behavioural expectations.

• Documented the process thoroughly and created templates for key communications (e.g., emails to process owners, managers, and new hires).

Implementation Tools:

• Developed a detailed checklist for each new starter, with clearly defined ownership for each stage of the process.

• Introduced tracking mechanisms to monitor progress and ensure all requirements were met before the new employee’s start date.

THE RESULTS

Our intervention delivered a significant transformation in the onboarding experience:

• Standardised Induction Sessions: All new starters now participate in consistent induction sessions to ensure key information is covered and no essential steps are missed.

• Feedback Loop: A post-induction survey captures feedback from new starters, identifying areas for improvement and addressing individual needs.

• Improved New Starter Experience: The updated process ensures new employees feel valued, informed, and prepared for their new role. By managing expectations and delivering a well-organised induction, the company fosters a sense of trust and belonging from day one.

i3Secure now has a robust, structured onboarding process tailored to the unique needs of their remote workforce and predominantly ex-military hires. This ensures every new hire transitions smoothly into their role, developing cultural understanding, building confidence and engagement in their first steps within the private sector.

"We couldn't be happier with the support we received from Willow HR. They took the time to truly understand our unique needs and the dynamics of our team, tailoring their approach to ensure every aspect was addressed. Their expertise was evident throughout the process of streamlining our onboarding process. As a result, our new employees have been onboarded more effectively and efficiently than ever before, seamlessly integrating into the team from day one. We highly recommend the Willow HR team to any organisation looking to enhance their HR processes"

Jason McAdam, Director