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Using technology to get employees on board: technology can help reduce the time it takes for a new hire to get up to speed.

Article Excerpt
It takes an average of six months for a mid-level manager to get up to speed in a new job, according to experts. That's a good chunk of time during which productivity is reduced, co-workers are burdened by picking up the slack and morale is diminished. Multiply those effects across the number of your newly filled positions, and it becomes clear: Your organization is not operating at full capacity.

Companies recognizing this problem are increasingly investing in "onboarding" programs. Successful onboarding programs quickly integrate new employees and not only help them become familiar with corporate policies, procedures and culture, but also help them identify their responsibilities and figure out how to fulfill them in the new environment. Between corporate acclimation, administrative details, training and every other component of the new hire's position, the process can be a time-consuming burden for all involved.

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Companies that can reduce the onboarding time will find themselves at a competitive advantage because employees will reach full productivity sooner, will have higher morale and will be more likely to stay on the job.

Recruiting Roundtable, a membership of senior recruiting executives from leading companies, believes that investments in automation-based onboarding models will be one of the most important steps in driving quality of hire over the next decade, improving retention. Today's knowledge-intensive company is looking to retain talented workers, improve workplace morale...