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I need our new people up to speed quickly
Induction
The first few months decide whether a new starter becomes an early ambassador or an early leaver. We design induction that takes people from pre-start through to on-the-job performance, so they're engaged, productive and compliant sooner.
Sound familiar?
Is your induction working?
“It's taking too long for new people to become operationally competent.”
“New starters are leaving before they've really started.”
“Induction is a day of slides and a pile of forms.”
“Every site and team inducts people differently.”
Our approach
What does good induction cover?
01
Pre-start
Paperwork done and expectations set before day one, so people arrive ready.
02
Day one
A welcome that feels like belonging, with the essentials covered and nothing more.
03
First weeks
Role-specific learning, at the pace people can actually absorb it.
04
On the job
Support and check-ins until they're confident and competent in the role.
Born at an Optimism strategy weekend
The Induction App
The Induction App started as a 24-hour challenge at one of our six-monthly strategy weekends: three teams, one brief, and the same big idea. We built a prototype, our clients loved it, and Waikato-Tainui were among the first to use it. It was then rebuilt from the ground up and is now run by our sister company, The Induction Company.
It puts our induction thinking into an app that gets new people and contractors engaged, productive and compliant, quickly.
“I still can't believe how much time I'm not spending on induction now!”
Kelly, HR Manager, Waikato-Tainui
Recent work
Induction projects we've delivered
Company induction
Providing a streamlined, engaging experience from pre-start to on-job performance.
Read the case study →
Construction and innovation induction
Introducing new starters to the processes, policies and systems fundamental to their roles.
Read the case study →
HS&W induction
Ensuring workforce safety during the build and maintenance of cell tower sites.
Read the case study →
In their words
“They took the time to understand us and our challenges up-front meaning we ended up with exactly what we needed at the end of the process.”
HR Director, NZ Blood Service
Resource
The 10-minute induction review checklist
A one-page quick review of how well your induction works, from a new employee's point of view and from your organisation's, with a simple score for each.
FAQs
Questions we get asked about induction
How long should induction last?
Longer than day one. Good induction runs from before someone starts until they're confident in the role, which for most roles means the first few months.
Can you help with site and safety inductions?
Yes. We've designed site and health and safety inductions for organisations such as Fortysouth and Kāinga Ora.
What should a good induction cover?
The whole journey: pre-start, so paperwork is done and expectations are set; day one, with the essentials and a real welcome; the first weeks, with role-specific learning at a pace people can absorb; and support on the job until they're confident and competent.
What is The Induction App?
The Induction App is the onboarding platform for deskless teams and franchise networks, run by our sister company, The Induction Company. It started as a 24-hour challenge at one of Optimism's strategy weekends.
Testimonials
What our clients say
I really like them. They are user friendly and not overly complicated. In addition I think it is a more efficient way of delivering induction training; and we are now very interested to introduce this to our AU employees also!
This is looking O for Awesome! Everyone we show are just over the moon with excitement! …it is really going to help streamline and modernise our induction not to mention provide an excellent consistent resource for our new starts!
We found Optimism to be highly professional, innovative and easy to work with. They took the time to understand us and our challenges up-front meaning we ended up with exactly what we needed at the end of the process. In addition the quality, performance to agreed timelines and budget were spot on.
I've had great feedback! Many thanks for all your help with this, it's been great working with you - and super easy!