DIG Insurance & Business Magazine Fall 2018 | Page 29

ONBOARDING 101 HIRE SMART. An effective onboarding process starts with making the right hiring decisions. Introduce your culture during the interview process and share how onboarding works at your organization so candidates know there’s a plan if they are invited to join the team. Explain what new hires can expect during those first 90 days. Not only does this set clear expectations but it can also differentiate your business from competitors that do not have a formal onboarding plan in place. DEVELOP A SYSTEM. Onboarding needs to involve more than getting a welcome packet and company tour. At Deeley Insurance Group, new staff members work through a training matrix and formal onboarding plan that includes mentors from each area of our business. They work through the matrix and plan, getting to know every department so they understand how everyone’s roles contribute to the success of the firm. They understand how they fit into this puzzle and how their responsibilities support others. Before their arrival, our team prepares their new Deeley workspace to ensure they feel an immediate sense of belonging. With a training matrix, an onboarding system in place, and an area to call their own, they have a clear path for their first 90 days. ASSIGN MENTORS. Rather than a single mentor who takes a person through the onboarding process, we want new hires to develop many resources throughout the organization. So we identify subject matter experts in different areas of our business. There are mentors for each major department and submentors who specialize in certain skills. Mentors share the responsibility of teaching new hires, and this is beneficial for a couple of reasons. One, our mentors do not feel overwhelmed and have time to perform their daily functions while helping out a new person. Two, our new hires grow relationships with many people in our organization, so they know who to ask what. They truly integrate into our team. “ CULTURE IS REALLY THE THREAD THAT TIES TOGETHER EVERY ASPECT OF TRAINING, AND WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT NEW HIRES ARE EMBRACING IT AND FEEL AS MUCH A PART OF OUR CULTURE AND WHO WE ARE AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN WORKING FOR US MANY YEARS. ” KERRY RUNKLES PERSONAL LINES MANAGER Kerry Runkles joined Deeley Insurance Group as the Personal Lines Manager in 2016. She has more than 12 years of experience in personal insurance and customer service. Kerry provides leadership, direction and support to the personal lines agents on the Deeley team. She enjoys volunteering at her son’s school, Most Blessed Sacrament. Kerry lives in Willards with her husband Jimmy and their two sons. She enjoys baking, traveling and exploring new places with her family. 410-213-5560 [email protected] KEY INTO CULTURE. Not only do new hires get trained and introduced to our business through mentors but they also meet with our culture champions. SET GOALS. At the end of the 90-day onboarding period, we recap the training and review the program. Finally, we set annual goals and objectives together so new hires officially launch into the next phase of their employment. They go forward understanding how they can grow in our organization. Onboarding is a critical responsibility that sets the tone for how new employees will mesh with your team—and ultimately, how they will perform. Don’t miss an opportunity to set the stage for success. Want to learn more about how Deeley Insurance Group onboards new hires? Let’s talk about it! We’d love to answer your questions and share. Contact Michele Hoffman at 410-213-5548 or Kerry Runkles at 410-213-5560. + MICHELE HOFFMAN, CIC COMMERCIAL LINES MANAGER Michele Hoffman joined Deeley Insurance Group in 2017 as the Commercial Lines Manager. She has over 30 years of insurance experience, 20+ years in commercial insurance. Michele provides leadership, direction and support to the commercial lines agents on the Deeley team. Michele volunteers as a lay counselor at Oak Ridge Baptist Church. She resides in Berlin with her son. In her free time she enjoys reading, beach combing, attending football games and spending time with family and friends. 410-213-5548 [email protected] 29