Laura Dückers

Developers don't need onboarding, do they? The balance between corporate culture and day-to-day project work.

One in five new hires leaves before their first day. Discover a 180-day journey that turns new developers into committed, long-term team members.

Developers don't need onboarding, do they? The balance between corporate culture and day-to-day project work.
#1about 3 minutes

Challenging the myth that developers don't need onboarding

A tech director's belief that developers only need hardware and a contract highlights a common misconception about their onboarding needs.

#2about 3 minutes

Using data to justify a better onboarding process

Statistics on employee turnover, the desire for a buddy system, and the importance of socializing demonstrate the high cost of poor onboarding.

#3about 3 minutes

Engaging new hires during the pre-boarding phase

The period between signing a contract and the first day is critical for preventing new hires from accepting other offers.

#4about 2 minutes

Structuring the first week with a shadowing challenge

A shadowing mini-challenge where new hires observe a buddy and present their learnings is a highly effective first-week activity.

#5about 2 minutes

Transitioning from corporate to project-specific onboarding

After the first week, a pulse check survey and handover to the department lead ensure a smooth transition into project work.

#6about 1 minute

Establishing routines and feedback in the first months

Regular coffee check-ins, tech talks, and a formal feedback session after 10 weeks help integrate new hires into daily work and company culture.

#7about 3 minutes

The bonding phase, probation, and re-onboarding returners

The three-to-six-month period culminates in a probation review, and the same principles apply to re-onboarding employees returning from long-term leave.

#8about 3 minutes

Calculating the high financial cost of poor onboarding

Data shows that boring, confusing, or failed onboarding leads to significant employee turnover, which has a direct and calculable financial cost.

#9about 2 minutes

Key takeaways for an effective onboarding process

A successful onboarding program should be an investment, be fun and transparent, and cater to both new hires and returning employees.

#10about 10 minutes

Q&A on adapting onboarding for different contexts

Audience questions cover adapting onboarding for startups, neurodiversity, seniority levels, remote work, and outstaffing models.

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