Imagine it’s your first day at a new job. You log in, feeling excited but also a little nervous. Your inbox is filled with automated messages, your calendar is empty, and you’re left wondering—what now?
Now, picture a different scenario. You’re welcomed into an interactive onboarding event, where you meet new colleagues from around the world, dive into the company’s mission, and leave feeling inspired, connected, and truly part of something bigger.
At Staffbase, we believe that onboarding isn’t just about paperwork and IT setup—it’s the first real step in shaping an employee’s journey. That’s why we created Basecamp, a dynamic onboarding event designed to immerse new hires into our culture, connect them with their teams, and set them up for success from day one.
Learn more about how onboarding events like our very own Basecamp are a powerful way to build engagement, drive retention, and make employees feel at home from the very beginning.
Why onboarding matters — an offer is just the start
One common onboarding misconception is that the candidate journey ends with the offer; however, this is just the start. If you want to retain top talent, then onboarding is crucial.
Without a structured, engaging onboarding experience, the excitement of a new job can quickly turn into uncertainty and disengagement. A lack of clear direction, disconnected introductions, or impersonal first weeks can leave employees feeling lost, ultimately impacting retention and productivity.
Onboarding new employees is not a “nice to have”; it’s a necessity. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to underpin employer branding promises with actions. Are values and culture selling points in your hiring strategy? Then make it actionable during onboarding!
Early engagement starts with the preboarding phase. Companies with strong preboarding processes see 50% higher new hire engagement according to Gallup.
Best onboarding practices that we internalized at Staffbase include:
- Welcome emails with clear next steps and contact persons
- Access to learning materials or company insights before the start date
- Early introductions to team members through informal coffee chats
- Personalized welcome kits (physical)
The role of onboarding events in employee engagement
The pandemic showed us new ways of virtual onboarding, and it was a blessing in a time of necessary separation. However, nothing replaces the impact of in-person onboarding events.
Why is in-person onboarding so important? Here are four powerful reasons:
- Stronger cultural immersion: Seeing company values in action helps new hires integrate faster.
- Authentic relationship-building: Face-to-face interactions build trust and collaboration.
- Memorable first impressions: A shared laughter, a silent moment, the feeling of belonging—it’s about emotions. And they are better experienced in real life than online.
- Deeper learning & engagement: Onsite workshops require presence and interaction. You cannot zoom out as easily as online. This amplifies the impact.
In addition to all the pros of onboarding, there is one elephant in the room that we need to acknowledge.
In-person onboarding costs money, especially when your company has offices in various countries. Small to medium-sized businesses typically spend between $600 and $1,800 per employee, while larger organizations may invest over $3,000 per new hire, according to Devlin Peck. This isn’t a low-budget discussion and surely needs to be justified in terms of ROI.
However, research shows that companies that invest in live onboarding experiences see a 33% faster ramp-up time compared to those relying solely on virtual onboarding. Therefore, the cost of onboarding should be considered an investment for retaining talented hires.
How to design a high-impact onboarding event with Staffbase Flash
In-person onboarding has always been our priority, regardless of company size. Over the years, the event has evolved alongside our growth and experience. What began as a startup-style gathering filled with games and spontaneity has transformed into a well-structured, thoughtfully designed two-day experience, still packed with fun, but with a more refined and strategic approach.
Our main goal during Staffbase onboarding is to ignite new employees’ journeys with energy, connection, and purpose.
Here’s how we introduce Basecamp internally to participants:
5 secrets for creating a seamless onboarding event
The ingredients we use to make our Flash events successful are a mix of presentations, panel talks, and time to connect. We deliberately refrain from the typical “corporate” event style, seeing this as a chance for mutual exchange.
Over the past 6 years, we tried various formats and content, and of course, we don’t gatekeep, so here are our best-practice learnings:
- Make it experiential
Passive presentations won’t cut it—engage new hires with interactive sessions, hands-on activities, and real-life case studies.
- Reinforce company values & culture
Onboarding should immerse employees in what makes your company unique. Use storytelling, real employee experiences, and leadership talks to bring values to life.
- Balance fun & structure
A well-designed onboarding event should be both engaging and informative. Create a clear agenda but leave room for informal networking and spontaneous moments.
- Gather & act on feedback
Continuously improve your onboarding experience by collecting real-time feedback. Use surveys, quick check-ins, or post-event reflections to refine the process.
- Keep the momentum going
Onboarding doesn’t end after the event. Follow up with assigned buddies, ongoing learning opportunities, and continued mentorship to ensure a smooth transition.
Closing thoughts: Onboarding is an experience, not a checklist
And with this in mind, let’s summarize some facts:
Companies that host in-person onboarding events see 50% higher new hire productivity within the first two months.
Not impressed yet? The Aberdeen Group found that retention rates increase by up to 69% when employees experience immersive onboarding
Yes, it costs money to gather people in person. But consider it a marathon: Your onboarding sets the tone for the rest of the route. It’s a make-or-break moment. It’s about making employees feel invested in and excited about their future at the company.
If you have further questions, we are happy to answer them and connect with you.
Just drop us a message at join@staffbase.com.