Why Your Onboarding Process Might Be Costing You More Than You Think
Imagine this: you’ve just spent weeks advertising a role, sifting through CVs, interviewing, negotiating, and finally - hiring someone great. They’re keen, skilled, and full of promise.
Fast forward three months - they’ve left. And you’re back to square one.
Sound familiar?
If you're a business owner without an in-house HR team, you might be juggling recruitment, contracts, and training on top of everything else. But here's the kicker: without a structured onboarding experience, you could be unintentionally pushing good people out the door.
First Impressions Last
It’s said that new hires decide in the first few days whether they see a future with a company. If your onboarding process starts with a stack of paperwork, a rushed induction, and a “figure it out as you go” vibe - the message is loud and clear: you’re on your own.
A recent study found that 40% of workers will leave a company within their first year if onboarding is poor or inconsistent. (Source: Vivup 2024 SME Report)
And in small businesses, where every team member plays a pivotal role, the cost of losing a hire early is more than financial - it hits morale, productivity, and your precious time.
What Great Onboarding Looks Like
We’re not talking about endless checklists or bloated corporate programs. Great onboarding in an SME setting is about clarity, connection, and confidence.
Clarity in expectations, culture, and role.
Connection to the team and business values.
Confidence to start contributing quickly and meaningfully.
Whether it’s assigning a buddy, giving them the tools they need from day one, or simply checking in during week two, small changes can have big impact.
The Hidden Value of Onboarding
It’s not just about avoiding early exits. A strong onboarding process can help you:
Retain top talent who feel supported and valued.
Speed up productivity, reducing time-to-impact.
Boost employer reputation, making future recruitment easier.
In competitive sectors, the way you welcome someone could be the very thing that sets you apart.
Where Regent HR Comes In
Let’s be honest - onboarding often gets pushed down the priority list, especially when you’re wearing multiple hats. But it doesn’t have to be complicated, and you don’t have to do it alone.
At Regent HR, we work with businesses like yours to create onboarding experiences that are simple, structured, and scalable. Whether you’ve got 5 staff or 50, we can help you:
Design an onboarding journey that works for your business.
Introduce check-in routines that build trust and retention.
Create templates and toolkits so each new hire feels welcomed - every time.
The First Step? Just Ask.
If reading this made you think “we could do that better” - we’re here for that conversation. No jargon. No hard sell. Just practical advice on how to make sure your next great hire doesn’t become your next big loss.
Get in touch with Regent HR and let’s make onboarding work for you and your team.