All Onboard

Cohorts, Culture, and Connection: Inside Consumer Credit Union's Onboarding Evolution

In this episode of All Onboard, we talk with Shawn Premer, Chief Human Resources Officer at Consumers Credit Union [https://www.consumerscu.org/], about the journey of transforming their onboarding process into a cornerstone of their culture. Over her 13 years at Consumers, Shawn has led the company’s growth from 100 employees to over 430, all while maintaining a strong focus on employee connection, values, and retention. Learn how Shawn’s approach to onboarding has evolved to meet the demands of a growing workforce and discover strategies that can inspire your own programs, including: * Why hiring in cohorts creates stronger relationships and team alignment. * Steps to tailor onboarding plans to individual roles and learning styles. * Reducing turnover by focusing on cultural alignment during onboarding. * Insights from rethinking onboarding during the challenges of COVID-19. * How to create an effective first-year onboarding journey with built-in feedback loops. Whether you’re building a new onboarding strategy or enhancing an existing one, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration from someone who has seen it all. Link to Onboarding Assessment: www.gocleary.com/onboarding-assessment Link to ROI Calculator: www.gocleary.com/onboarding-ROI

Mission-Driven Onboarding: Aligning People, Purpose, and Process at Trinity Church

In this episode of All Onboard, we dive into the transformative power of mission-driven onboarding with Dr. Waajida Small, Chief Human Resources Officer at Trinity Church NYC. With over 15 years of HR expertise, Waajida shares how Trinity reimagined its onboarding process to align people, purpose, and organizational goals. Discover actionable insights for building an onboarding strategy that drives engagement and retention, including: * The role of mission in creating meaningful onboarding experiences. * The importance of cross-departmental collaboration. * Extending onboarding beyond the first day for lasting impact. * Leveraging employee feedback to transform onboarding processes. * Enhancing connection through buddy programs and personalized approaches. Whether you’re leading a nonprofit, corporate team, or startup, this conversation highlights the importance of aligning people, purpose, and process to redefine the employee journey and set the stage for long-term success! Link to Onboarding Assessment: www.gocleary.com/onboarding-assessment [http://www.gocleary.com/onboarding-assessment] Link to ROI Calculator: www.gocleary.com/onboarding-ROI [http://www.gocleary.com/onboarding-ROI]

Crafting a Warm Welcome: Sandy Spring Bank's Thoughtful Onboarding

In this episode of All Onboard, Thomas Kunjappu chats with Gary Fernandes, the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Sandy Spring Bank. With over 30 years of HR experience across industries like healthcare and banking, Gary knows a thing or two about creating onboarding programs that leave a lasting impression. Together, they explore how Sandy Spring Bank ensures new hires feel genuinely welcomed and supported from day one. From aligning expectations to building emotional connections, Gary shares thoughtful insights and real stories that highlight what it takes to make onboarding meaningful. Topics covered in this episode: * Why first impressions matter and how day one can shape an employee’s entire journey. * The critical role managers play in onboarding and how to set them up for success. * How small details—like welcome kits and personal touches—can make a big impact. * The value of listening to employees and using their feedback to improve the process. * Tips for navigating hybrid and remote onboarding while keeping things fair and engaging. * Why continuous learning and innovation are key to staying ahead in HR. This conversation is packed with practical advice, relatable stories, and actionable tips for anyone looking to elevate their onboarding game. Don’t miss it! Link to Onboarding Assessment: www.gocleary.com/onboarding-assessment [https://gocleary.com/onboarding-assessment/] Link to ROI Calculator: www.gocleary.com/onboarding-ROI [https://gocleary.com/employee-onboarding-roi-calculator/]

Engineering Strategic Onboarding: Inside Zebra Technologies’ HR Transformation

In this episode of the All Onboard podcast, host Thomas Kunjappu sits down with Jeff Schmitz, Chief People Officer at Zebra Technologies. With a background that bridges engineering, product management, marketing, and HR, Jeff shares his unique perspective on transforming HR from a service function to a strategic powerhouse. Discover how Zebra Technologies is redefining the onboarding experience, prioritizing employee engagement from day one, and ensuring a seamless transition for new hires. Jeff dives into the importance of structure, efficiency, and employee-centric processes in building a successful HR strategy that aligns with Zebra’s goals. Topics covered: * How Jeff’s diverse career path shapes his approach to HR * Zebra’s HR transformation journey and the impact on employee experience * Key strategies for creating a scalable, repeatable onboarding process * Using data and metrics to improve HR operations * And more! Whether you're an HR leader, a manager, or someone passionate about organizational development, this episode offers valuable insights into building a world-class onboarding process. Link to Onboarding Assessment: www.gocleary.com/onboarding-assessment [https://gocleary.com/onboarding-assessment/]Link to ROI Calculator: www.gocleary.com/onboarding-ROI [https://gocleary.com/employee-onboarding-roi-calculator/]

Culture, Connection, and Cohesion: Mews’ Top-Tier Approach to Onboarding

In this episode of All Onboard, host Thomas Kunjappu welcomes Naomi Trickey, Chief People Officer at Mews, to discuss how onboarding can be transformed into a meaningful and culture-building experience, especially within a globally connected, remote-first company. Naomi shares Mews’ approach to making onboarding feel both personal and purposeful, setting new hires up for success from the beginning. Key insights include: * Hospitality in Onboarding: How Mews uses a hospitality-first mindset to create a warm, memorable welcome. * Building Connection Across Borders: The ways Mews strengthens team bonds and reinforces cultural values across a global workforce. * Leadership’s Role in Onboarding: How active involvement from leaders supports new hires and demonstrates Mews’ commitment to its values. * Creating Meaningful Rituals: Engaging workshops and experiences that help new hires build lasting bonds and understand the company's core values. * Balancing Structure and Flexibility: How Mews ensures a consistent yet adaptable onboarding for employees worldwide. * Laying the Foundation for Success: How Mews’ onboarding approach makes employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered to contribute meaningfully. Listen in to discover how Mews’ onboarding approach goes beyond orientation to build a foundation for collaboration, cultural alignment, and long-term impact. Link to Onboarding Assessment: https://gocleary.com/onboarding-assessment/ [https://gocleary.com/onboarding-assessment/] Link to ROI Calculator: https://www.gocleary.com/onboarding-ROI [https://gocleary.com/employee-onboarding-roi-calculator/]