Arrival Organization
Newcomer or provide organizing arrival e.g., employee, expatriates. Organizing the newcomer to prepare in order to enable a smoother transition and facilitate integration into their new environment. To minimize stress, people need to plan for their move and coordinate well to make a smooth transition. In this 3-part guide, we will cover the necessary touch-points for a successful arrival organization.
Pre-Arrival Preparations
Your trip organization starts even before you arrive. This entails coordinating the events so that each and every element is arranged before the person reaches there, such as:
- Travel plans: Flights, trips to/from airport, and having all necessary travel papers (passport, visa if needed, ticket).
- Housing: Help finding short or long-term housing. Give all necessary accommodation details, like address and contact info of the place you are staying in or how to check-in.
- Welcome Bundle: Put together a welcome bundle with maps, native guides, emergency telephone numbers, and many others to assist them in getting related to their new surroundings.
- Communication: Describe how you are communicating to keep the individual updated on everything and answer any questions they may have.
Arrival Day Coordination
The date the person arrives is paramount in how the rest of their experience shapes up. The right balance could lead to a good first impression with:
- Airport Pickup: Sometimes, the representative is to meet them at the airport. Make sure the person has an identification tag with their name.
- Transportation to Accommodation: Ensure that the person is made to feel at home and welcomed during travel.
- Welcome Meeting: Brief welcome meeting at the accommodation upon arrival. This may involve a room tour, meeting key people, and an outline of the initial schedule.
Initial Settling-In Period
The first few days post-arrival are also critical to help the person adjust and familiarize themselves with their new setting. Consider the following steps:
- Orientation: Offer an orientation session to help them with everything from getting around and what is available locally in terms of free time activities and places plus norms, so no one accosts or runs afoul unnecessarily.
- Basic Setup Help: Set up basics like a bank account, SIM card, and broadband. Offer assistance in obtaining local IDs or residency permits if necessary.
- Social Identity: Provide contexts where individuals can engage socially, such as allowing the individual to meet other colleagues or holding social activities. They can use this to create their network of support and feel comfortable.
Ongoing Support
Continuous support is very important for the future success and well-being of the individual. This includes:
- Regular Check-Ins: Conduct regular check-ins to troubleshoot any questions or concerns individuals are having. This will help in early detection of possible bottlenecks, and appropriate action can be taken accordingly.
- Professional Development: Proactively offer help for professional development, like providing information on local training events or meetups. The person will then be able to develop in their position and move even closer on the career ladder.
- Health & Well-Being: Ensure the individual has access to healthcare, and provide information on local healthcare providers. Encourage them to take care of their health and well-being.
Feedback and Improvement
Feedback should be gathered and used to iteratively improve the arrival organization process.
- Ask for Feedback: Ask the person about their experience upon arrival. This will provide valuable insights into what worked and areas for improvement.
- Review and Adjust: The arrival organization process needs to be reviewed and adjusted as questions arise. This ensures the process remains effective and efficient.
- Best Practice Sharing: Share best practices and lessons learned with other teams or departments involved in the process. This helps maintain uniformity and high standards throughout the organization.
Organizations that take into account these steps and considerations will create a well-established welcome for new employees or expatriates, setting the stage for successful assimilation in their team and ensuring long-term success.