Aberdeen’s research reflects the global realities of the dwindling supply of talent, the increasing competition for this talent, and the diverse career expectations shared among a younger generation of workers. The report details the need to retain new hires and enable them to quickly perform productively in their new capacity. The report also highlights why organizations must look beyond traditional new hire programs towards formalized onboarding strategies.

In the report, Aberdeen recognizes that companies that are implementing processes and technologies to standardize and automate the data collection and career development elements of onboarding are more likely to increase new hire retention and facilitate new hire time-to-productivity, and achieve Aberdeen’s Best-in-Class status pertaining to Onboarding. In addition, Aberdeen asserts that these companies make “socialization” a primary component of employee onboarding by beginning the onboarding process before a new employee’s first day. These companies also extend onboarding through the first six months of employment, and quickly and clearly identify key business issues that can be addressed through the onboarding process.

Currently 62% of organizations have a formal onboarding strategy for employees, and this is expected to grow to 77% within the year. Adopting and formalizing a deliberate process is an integral element of the talent management strategy in order to facilitate and assure that employees are successfully immersed into the company culture and operational systems.

“The ‘socialization’ element of onboarding is a key differentiator for Best-in-Class organizations and the importance of providing it cannot be understated,” said. Kevin Martin, Research Director, Human Capital Management at Aberdeen. “Best-in-Class organizations understand the communication and cultural nuances of younger workers, and realize the benefits of providing new leaders with "trusted advisors". As a result, these organizations make sure these are addressed and incorporated into their onboarding programs.”

Aberdeen’s report strongly urges all organizations to make onboarding part of the employee retention, performance management and hiring processes, and recommends that organizations focus on the “human” element of onboarding and include socialization as a primary focus.

“Aberdeen’s findings underscore our belief that onboarding is the lynchpin of talent management,” said Derek Mercer, Founder and CEO of Vurv. “Companies across all industries recognize that formalizing onboarding practices is not only critical to successfully hire, train and retain top talent, it provides companies with a critical competitive advantage in today’s aggressive market.”

For more information on Onboarding and to download a complimentary copy of Aberdeen’s complete benchmark study entitled “All Aboard: Effective Onboarding Techniques and Strategies” can be found at http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410283&cid=4574.

About Vurv Technology

It’s all about the people! Vurv’s on demand talent management software helps address the number one business challenge – finding, hiring and retaining top talent. With comprehensive product offerings including recruitment, onboarding, performance, succession, compensation and workforce transition management, Vurv’s software is fast, flexible and easy to use. More than 1,700 companies and over 2.5 million users around the world rely on Vurv to reduce operating costs, increase productivity and ignite their most powerful resource for innovation and growth. Feel the creative energy, talent and passion at www.vurv.com.