Onboarding is a crucial process in any organization. It sets the stage for new hires to understand their roles, the company culture, and expectations. One of the most effective ways to engage employees in this process is through internal communication videos.
I will explore some inspiring internal communication videos that can be used for employee onboarding.
The Power of Video in Onboarding
Before we delve into the specifics, it’s essential to understand why video is such a powerful tool in onboarding. Video is a versatile medium that can convey complex information engaging and comprehensibly.
It allows companies to communicate their culture, values, and expectations dynamically and engagingly. Moreover, videos are easy to consume and can be revisited anytime, making them an excellent tool for reinforcing information.
Types of Internal Communication Videos for Onboarding
Company Culture Videos
These videos give new hires a glimpse into the company’s culture, values, and mission. They feature interviews with existing employees, behind-the-scenes footage, and highlights of company events. An excellent example of this is Google’s “Life at Google” series.
Role-Specific Training Videos
These videos provide detailed instructions about the tasks the new hire will be responsible for. They can include step-by-step tutorials, demonstrations, or simulations.
Compliance and Policy Videos
These videos clearly explain the company’s policies, procedures, and rules. They ensure that all employees clearly understand what is expected of them.
CEO Welcome Videos
A personalized message from the CEO can make new hires feel welcomed and valued. It also allows the CEO to share their vision for the company.
Creating Inspiring Internal Communication Videos
Keep it Authentic
The best videos are those that feel genuine and authentic. Avoid overly scripted videos and instead focus on capturing the real essence of your company.
Make it Engaging
Use elements like storytelling, animation, music, and humor to make your videos more engaging. Remember, the goal is not just to inform but also to inspire.
Keep it Short and Simple.
While covering all the necessary information is essential, try to keep your videos concise. Break down complex news into bite-sized chunks that are easy to digest.
Case Studies: Inspiring Internal Communication Videos
Let’s look at examples of companies that have effectively used internal communication videos for onboarding.
Microsoft’s “Day One” Video
Microsoft’s “Day One” video is a fantastic example of an inspiring onboarding video. It features new employees sharing their first-day experiences, making it relatable and engaging for new hires.
Airbnb’s “Founding Story” Video
Airbnb uses a beautifully animated video to share its founding story with new hires. The video informs and inspires employees by showcasing the company’s humble beginnings and growth.
The Importance of Regular Updates
Regularly updating your internal communication videos is essential. Policies, procedures, and even company culture can shift with the fast-paced changes in the business world. New products or services may be introduced, new software may be adopted, or the company’s strategic goals may change.
To ensure that your onboarding videos remain relevant and practical, they should be reviewed and updated at least once a year. This will also provide an opportunity to refresh the content and keep it engaging for new hires.
Utilizing Feedback
Feedback from new hires can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of your onboarding videos. Encourage new employees to share their thoughts and suggestions.
Did they find the videos helpful? Was there any information that they felt was missing? Was the content engaging and easy to understand? Their feedback can help you improve future iterations of your onboarding videos.
Incorporating Interactive Elements
Interactive elements can take your onboarding videos to the next level. Quizzes, interactive scenarios, and clickable elements can make the videos more engaging and enhance learning. For example, after watching a video about the company’s safety procedures, new hires could be presented with a scenario where they must apply what they’ve learned.
Accessibility is Key
Ensure that your videos are accessible to all employees. This may include providing subtitles for those who are hard of hearing or translating the videos into different languages for multinational companies. Making your videos accessible means that all new hires, regardless of their abilities or location, can benefit from them.
Onboarding Videos and Employee Retention
Effective onboarding can significantly improve employee retention. According to a study by Glassdoor, a robust onboarding process can improve new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%.
By investing in high-quality, inspiring internal communication videos, you’re helping new hires and contributing to your company’s long-term success.
Best Practices for Creating Onboarding Videos
Based on the sources provided, here are some best practices for creating compelling onboarding videos:
Make it Personal: Highlight your company’s story and culture. Consider including interviews with team leaders or stories from current employees.
Keep it Engaging: Use visuals, animation, and interactive elements to engage your audience.
Keep it Concise: Try to communicate your message as succinctly as possible. Long videos may lose the viewer’s attention.
Include Essential Information: Include all the necessary information a new hire would need, such as details about their role, company policies, and who to contact for help.
Update Regularly: Ensure your videos are up-to-date with company information and policies.
Benefits of Using Videos in Internal Communications
Engagement: Videos are typically more engaging than text-based content, making it easier for new hires to absorb information4.
Consistency: Videos ensure that all new hires receive the same information, reducing the risk of miscommunication5.
Flexibility: New hires can watch the videos at their own pace and revisit them if needed.
Conclusion
Internal communication videos can significantly enhance the onboarding experience. They engagingly provide vital information and help new hires connect with the company on a deeper level. Creating authentic, engaging, concise videos allows you to set your new hires up for success from day one.
In the digital age, where remote work is becoming more common, internal communication videos are more important than ever. They can bridge the gap between in-person and remote onboarding, ensuring that all new hires receive the same high-quality introduction to your company regardless of location.
Keeping your videos authentic, engaging, concise, and up-to-date can create an inspiring onboarding experience that will leave a lasting impression on your new hires.
