In a fast-paced industry like marketing, there is no time to waste when it comes to onboarding new employees. The onboarding process can make all the difference in determining how long it takes for a new employee to be up-to-speed and contributing to the team’s performance.

The question is, which is more effective for onboarding new employees in the marketing industry: traditional methods or induction videos?

Current Onboarding Trends in the Marketing Sector

Before we delve into the comparison of traditional onboarding and induction videos, let’s review the current onboarding landscape in the marketing sector. The majority of marketing companies provide their employees with an onboarding program that aims to provide essential information about the company’s culture, policies, and procedures.

These programs can be either online or in-person, but most marketing companies are now considering a virtual approach due to the shift towards remote work caused by the recent pandemic.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Induction Videos

Engaging Visuals with Induction Videos

One of the biggest advantages of induction videos is their ability to present engaging visuals that can help to create a lasting impression. Instead of reading a lengthy guidebook or manual, new employees can watch an induction video that provides a comprehensive overview of the company’s values, vision, and objectives.

This type of visual presentation can help new employees to better understand the company’s culture and can contribute to a more positive onboarding experience.

Achieve Consistency with Induction Videos

Another advantage of using induction videos is that they ensure consistency in the onboarding process. The same video can be shown to new employees, regardless of the location they are in or the time they start working.

This ensures that everyone receives the same messages and is exposed to the same information, which can be helpful in creating a cohesive team culture.

A Scalable Alternative to Traditional Methods

Induction videos can also be more scalable than traditional methods since they can be viewed by an unlimited number of employees at the same time, without requiring additional resources such as trainers or educators.

This can be an ideal approach for larger companies that have many new hires, and can also reduce the costs associated with in-person onboarding training.

Refresh and Recap

In addition to being more scalable, induction videos have other advantages, including memorable storytelling and repeatability. Employees can watch the video as many times as they need to, which can help to reinforce the information conveyed in the video.

This can be very helpful in ensuring that new employees have a thorough understanding of the company’s culture and can be more productive in their roles.

Less Personal Interaction

One of the disadvantages of induction videos is that they have less personal interaction than traditional methods. New employees may not have the opportunity to ask questions in real-time or receive immediate feedback on their progress.

This lack of personal interaction can make it harder for new employees to feel connected to the company or to receive clarification about any issues they may encounter.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Traditional Methods

Face-to-Face Delivery Allows Direct Interaction

Traditional onboarding methods, on the other hand, provide more direct interaction between the new employees and the trainers or educators.

This can create a more personalised experience that can help new employees feel more connected to the company and its values. It also allows for immediate feedback and real-time clarification, which can be helpful in resolving any issues that new employees may encounter during the onboarding process.

Adapting to Individual Needs

Traditional methods are also more likely to be adapted to individual needs. Trainers or educators can adjust the training program based on the feedback they receive from new employees, creating a more customised approach that can be more effective in helping new employees integrate into their new role.

This can also be helpful in identifying any knowledge gaps that may exist, allowing trainers to focus on those areas that need more attention.

Efficiency and Resources: Modern Approaches vs Traditional Methods

However, traditional methods are more time-consuming and resource-intensive. They require more participants, a physical space, and materials such as handouts, presentations, and manuals.

They can also be costly, especially for smaller companies that may not have the budget to hire additional trainers or educators.

Practical Learning and Real-Time Feedback

Traditional onboarding methods have their own advantages, including hands-on learning and real-time clarification. New employees can interact with trainers or educators, ask questions, and receive immediate feedback, creating a more personalised and engaging experience.

This can help new employees to feel more connected to the company and can also be helpful in identifying any issues that need to be addressed.

Costs: Induction Videos vs Traditional Methods

One of the biggest advantages of induction videos is that they can lower long-term costs and be time-saving, since they can be viewed by many employees at the same time without additional resources. This can be an ideal approach for larger companies with multiple new hires on a regular basis. This can free up resources for other areas of the company that require more attention, such as employee development or product innovation.

On the other hand, traditional onboarding methods require a higher upfront investment but provide a more comprehensive engagement experience. The more engaging the onboarding experience, the better the performance, job satisfaction, and retention of new employees. By investing in a comprehensive onboarding experience, marketing companies can ensure that their new employees have the best chance of integrating into the company culture and becoming valuable members of the team.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both induction videos and traditional onboarding methods have advantages and disadvantages, and the best approach depends on the individual company’s needs and resources. Induction videos can be more scalable, save time and lower long-term costs, while traditional methods provide more engaging and personalised learning experiences.

By focusing on creating a comprehensive approach that takes the best from both worlds, marketing companies can ensure that their new employees quickly become part of the team and contribute to the company’s success.

If you’d like to explore how induction videos could help your marketing team, book here for a strategy call or get in touch on 01225 970242.