Boosting engagement in the pre- onboarding process

Boosting engagement in the pre-onboarding process With the shiftto voice-enabled mobile apps becoming a norm, a voicebot is an intelligent way of communication that can be easily integrated into various devices

- BEN ZACHARIAH

The HR function, like many other functions in the past, has continued to deploy technologies with embedded AI in automating low-value and repeatable administrative tasks in segments like recruitment, onboarding, training, retention, etc. However today with the application of smarter technologies the HR function can solve more complex business challenges like boosting performance, development, and employee engagement. Gallup’s surveys with employees around the world find that 85 percent are either not engaged or are actively disengaged at work. Creating a workplace culture that focuses on employee needs by keeping them engaged to drive a high-performance culture is something that many organizations strive for. However, most of them overlook the fact that engagement begins even before they join the organization.

A 2019 survey in the US by a global staffing firm, Robert Half shows that around 28% of candidates had backed out of an offer after accepting it. The statistics for India, especially in the IT/ ITES segments are much higher. One of the primary reasons for post-offer backouts is the lack of engagement among the new hires with the organization that has offered them.

A feasible solution to this problem would be a pre-onboarding process that uses technology to engage new hires from offering acceptance to their first day on the job. The HR function can leverage analytics and AI to better the employee experience during the pre-onboarding phase. With the shift to voice-enabled mobile apps becoming a norm, a voice bot is an intelligent way of communication that can be easily integrated into various devices.