Employee engagement starts the second a new employee walks in the door, so it’s important for companies to make a good impression on their first day! The onboarding process shouldn’t just be about filling out paperwork. Instead, more and more companies are giving new hires all the tools they need to succeed as soon as they get there with an onboarding kit. The best onboarding kits add value by including a variety of informative items, practical items, and some fun pieces. Here are some of our top picks for what to include in a new hire onboarding kit.
Supporting Your Employees During the Onboarding Process
The onboarding process is the foundation of your company's relationship with a new hire, so you want to invest in the process as much as possible! When you show thoughtfulness and care for your new employee starting their first day, you'll help set the tone for their future employment.
Here are some great ways to support your employees and optimize engagement during the onboarding process:
- Making sure they have the resources they need. Whether it's access to company programs or a tutorial on a tool the company uses, training resources can be a powerful asset to help employees feel comfortable as they get started on the job.
- Offering time to answer questions. Whenever you onboard a new employee, give them space to ask any questions they may have and get the clarification they need to start with confidence.
- Holding a welcome meeting. Whether in-person or over the internet, a welcome meeting is a great way to introduce your new hire to some of the key people they'll work with. It'll give them a chance to familiarize themselves with the team and receive a warm welcome!
- Providing onboarding gifts for new hires. Brainstorming welcome gifts for new employees and offering creative, thoughtful items can go a long way toward making them feel appreciated. We'll talk about some different options you can explore later on!
Benefits of Creating an Office Welcome Gift Basket
If you're thinking about branded office gifts for new hires, you and your employee can get some great benefits from well-chosen gifts. First, you'll show your company's excitement to have them on the team and express your appreciation for them. Your enthusiasm will help keep them excited and engaged, as well, as they get started. Your gifts can also help foster company pride and keep your business's excitement and support on your employee's mind.
Gifts that help employees manage their responsibilities are an excellent option to support their overall performance while building engagement. As a case study for one of our clients demonstrates, SourcePromo found that our branded new hire gifts helped employees stay more organized in their early months on the job. The business we worked with created welcome pocket folders that included the company logo. Employees felt appreciated and recognized, and they had a great solution to keep track of necessary paperwork.
Welcome to the Team Gift Ideas
You have a wide array of new hire gift ideas to choose from, whatever your company's style and employee role. It's a great idea to find options that are a good fit for the company's branding and are practical, thoughtful items your new hire can use and enjoy. Let's explore several new employee gift idea options!
1. Folder for Essentials
Folders can help you keep all your new hires’ paperwork organized. You can even include some personal touches like a welcome letter, office map, company history, and a checklist of things to get done in the first month.
2. Coffee Mug
Whether you’re a coffee person or a tea person, mugs are a classic promotional product for the office and are a great way to let your new hires know they’re a part of the team. Whenever your employees need a quick caffeine pick-me-up, they'll have a go-to mug that reminds them they're appreciated!
3. Notebook
Notebooks are an important staple in a new employee welcome kit. There is a lot of information being thrown at new hires between training, team meetings, and education sessions. Giving them somewhere to keep all their notes will make it easy to refer back to everything they learned as they navigate their new role!
4. Lanyard
Lanyards are a great way for every employee to keep track of their office keys or even attach their employee ID card to the clip so they never lose it! They're convenient, practical, and an excellent reminder for employees that they're a valued part of the team.
5. Flash Drive
The great thing about creating a custom onboarding kit is it can be personalized for each company or even for the specific role of your employee. If your company uses flash drives to take presentations or documents around to client meetings, this would be a helpful item to include. If the employee is going to be traveling all over the country, it might be a good idea to give them a laptop bag that they can bring on flights.
6. Branded Apparel
Apparel might not be a necessity when starting a new job, but it is definitely a perk that new hires will want! Depending on your dress code, you could include a hoodie, polo, or a classic t-shirt to add some excitement to any onboarding kit.
7. Water Bottle
Insulated water bottles make staying healthy and hydrated easy! Plus, they can take it out to the gym or on a walk and show off your logo and let everyone know how easy their transition to their new role has been thanks to the onboarding kit.
8. Headphones
In the modern office, headphones have become a necessity so everyone can listen to their own music or podcasts. Including a good set of headphones in the onboarding kit is a great way to give new hires a peaceful work environment that everyone can enjoy.
9. Stress Balls
Give employees a way to relax for a minute with branded stress balls that are fun and practical. When new hires need to pause for a moment, they'll have a handy little item on hand to help them channel stress and focus on the next task.
10. Blanket
Create a cozy, branded blanket that represents your brand and keeps employees comfortable. Whether it's an office blanket to keep them warm if the temperature is a bit low or a throw they can use at home, it'll help keep them comfortable and feeling appreciated.
11. Nameplate
Show employees that they're the real deal with a personalized nameplate that makes them feel like a recognized part of the team. It's a great way to help them feel confident in their new role, too!
12. Lunch Bag
If your employees will be taking food to the office, an insulated lunch bag with your company colors or personalized features could be perfect. It's practical and convenient for keeping a homemade lunch at the right temperature until mealtime.
13. Backpack
Make it easier to transport supplies and paperwork with a company backpack for your new hires. They'll have a roomy bag to carry all their necessary items and feel prepared for the job.
14. Card and Pen Holders
Personalized cards or pen holders can be another great option for employees. They can use holders for their writing utensils, erasers, business cards, and more with a convenient organizer that makes tidy storage easier.
15. Office Tools
Offering branded office tools to help new hires get started on the job will help them feel prepared and at ease. Some options might include staplers and staple removers, sticky notes, writing utensils, or erasers with your company logo or other customized details. Offer tools they'll use regularly to meet a practical need on the job!
16. Clipboards
Providing a clipboard in your welcome gifts package can help employees stay organized throughout the day. From holding important paperwork to offering a sturdy surface for notetaking, a clipboard offers versatile, practical functionality for new team members.
17. Calendars
A calendar can be personalized to fit your company, express appreciation to team members, and help employees stay on schedule. They're an ideal accessory for workspaces to keep appointments and meetings on track.
Work With Us to Get New Hire Gifts Your Employees Will Love
SourcePromo has everything you need to create personalized, fun new employee gifts that help build excitement and engagement on the team. Whether you're looking for a sophisticated folder with your company branding or a colorful, personalized water bottle that makes employees smile when they use it at work, we can help. Our expert team will work with you to create the perfect branding solution for your company and ensure you have appealing gifts for new hires.
At SourcePromo, we're a one-stop shop from design to delivery. We keep the ordering and customization process efficient and easy for you while delivering high-quality products to fit your unique needs. When you work with us, we'll manage the campaign from start to finish, ensuring you get the right products to represent your company and make a great impression on recipients.
Looking for more ideas for an onboarding kit? Contact us today!