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From NetSpeed Leader Volume 15, February 2004
Bridget Piper, VP of Corporate Development at Sterling Savings Bank, talked recently about how the bank uses the module Getting the Right Start to help managers work most effectively with new employees. These are some of her comments.
Getting the Right Start is the first module we used when we launched our leadership series. It just seemed like a great way to get it all started. The module offers opportunities for managers to step back and think about what it's like to be the new employee, and not take that for granted.
The problem on the job is that we get so busy. We needed the new employee last week, so once their paperwork is done, we want to get them—boom—right into the job. This module helps managers think about how they are going to prepare new employees for success.
At every level, from the customer service rep to the loan officer to the back-office operations person—I don't think there's anyone who doesn't need to see how their job fits in the company. Employees need to know what your expectations are, what some of the first priority steps are, and how their work is going to be measured. The module focuses on giving employees the big picture and taking them through these first steps. It's very practical. When our managers take the workshop, they actually have an employee job in mind that they either will fill or have recently filled. They use the workbook exercises to think about ways to work with that employee.
One of the great things about the program is the follow-up on the computer that reminds the manager of the workshop content [NetSpeed Coach and NetSpeed On The Job]. Because we're so busy, it would be easy to go back to work and repeat the same activities. But by being able to have the in-person workshop, with networking and learning that other managers have the same concerns, managers begin to say, "Oh yes. This is important." Then the follow-up activity on their own helps integrate the information. And it's very eye-catching, quick, and interesting.
We wish everyone would take the thoughtful time with new employees, but it's not human nature when we are all so busy. This module helps us establish consistency about what we think is important. It's all very practical. It all makes sense. And it's very useable right from the minute you attend a session.
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