Small Team? Big Onboarding Wins!

When you run a small team, every hour counts. A smooth onboarding process isn’t just about welcoming a new hire or client—it’s about setting the tone for efficiency, productivity, and long-term success. The right onboarding approach helps you save time, avoid confusion, and keep everyone aligned from day one.

Whether you’re bringing in a new team member, onboarding a contractor, or kicking off with a new client, here are three onboarding wins that small teams can implement right now.

Standardise Your Welcome Pack

When new people join your world—whether staff or clients—they should receive the same key information every time. A Welcome Pack eliminates repeated questions and creates a consistent first impression.

Your pack might include:

• An overview of your business values and mission.

• Contact points and preferred communication methods.

• Key policies or expectations.

• Links to resources and tools.

  
  

Pro Tip: Store your Welcome Pack in Google Drive with the right sharing permissions so it’s always ready to send.

Automate Early Touchpoints

For small teams, admin can quickly eat into billable time. That’s where automation comes in. Use tools like Google Workspace to handle repetitive onboarding tasks, such as:

• Sending a booking confirmation with meeting links and resources.

• Delivering a pre-meeting questionnaire via Google Forms.

• Logging client data directly into Google Sheets for easy reference.

  
  

By automating these touchpoints, you create a seamless and professional experience—without adding to your mental load.

Use Checklists to Avoid Gaps

A checklist may seem simple, but it’s the best safeguard against forgotten steps—especially when juggling multiple projects or clients. For small teams, even a single missed detail can cause delays.

You can create onboarding checklists in:

• Asana (track progress and assign responsibilities).

• Google Docs (share and update in real-time).

• Google Sheets (track multiple clients or hires at once).

  
  

Checklists ensure nothing slips through the cracks, from account set-up to first-day expectations.

The Importance of Feedback in Onboarding

Feedback is crucial in the onboarding process. It helps identify areas for improvement and ensures that new hires feel supported. Regular check-ins can make a significant difference.

Consider scheduling feedback sessions at the end of the first week and the first month. This allows new hires to share their experiences and ask questions. It also gives you a chance to address any concerns early on.

Building a Culture of Inclusion

Creating an inclusive environment is essential for successful onboarding. Make sure new hires feel welcomed and valued from day one. Encourage team members to introduce themselves and share their roles.

Consider hosting a casual meet-and-greet or a team lunch. This can help break the ice and foster connections among team members.

Final Thoughts

Onboarding doesn’t have to be complicated. By creating a repeatable Welcome Pack, automating first steps, and using checklists, you can free up time, maintain consistency, and set the right tone from day one.

If you want to streamline your onboarding process—whether for new hires, contractors, or clients—Strategy Made Simple can help you design an efficient, automated workflow that works for your business.

📅 Book a Discovery Call and let’s get your onboarding process running like clockwork.