The Importance of Onboarding
In the latest episode of Return to People, host Kaleem Clarkson is joined by Tobias Feuer, COO and co-founder of Blinkit, to explore the nuances of employee onboarding and retention. Tobias emphasizes that hiring the right people is only the beginning of the journey. "It's keeping them is where the real magic happens," he notes. > It's keeping them is where the real magic happens. — Kaleem Clarkson
Tobias highlights the significance of a well-structured onboarding process, especially in remote setups, where first impressions can greatly influence an employee's decision to stay. "Onboarding is not an easy thing to do and it's something that it's crucial for anyone that starts a new job," he explains. > Onboarding is not an easy thing to do and it's something that it's crucial for anyone that starts a new job. — Tobias Feuer
Remote Work and Employee Experience
The conversation delves into the benefits and challenges of remote work, a model embraced by Blinkit from its inception during the pandemic. Tobias shares his philosophy on remote work, stating, "I've been working all my life remote. So for the past almost seven years." > I've been working all my life remote. So for the past almost seven years. — Tobias Feuer He believes that remote work can foster a happier workforce, as it allows for greater work-life integration, a principle he strongly advocates.
Tobias also discusses the various services Blinkit provides to enhance the remote employee experience. These include comprehensive onboarding plans, performance management, and understanding the socioeconomic and cultural contexts of international hires. "If you want to understand the economic ecosystem where that person is living... we present a solution to that," he elaborates.
Success Stories and Challenges
One of the most compelling stories Tobias shares is about an internal opportunity where he encouraged a team member to pursue a role with a client that offered better growth prospects. Despite the potential for a higher salary, the employee chose to stay with Blinkit, citing trust and satisfaction with the current role. "I love Link IT, I want to stay here," the employee said, demonstrating the impact of a positive company culture on retention. > I love Link IT, I want to stay here. — Tobias Feuer
This episode underscores the critical role of onboarding and the broader employee experience in retention. By focusing on structured onboarding processes and embracing remote work, companies can not only attract but also retain top talent.
