I just got the iPhone GS, and I am addicted to the apps. After playing with it for a few days I asked myself (I know this is sad, I should ask myself better questions):
• How can I leverage this for work?
• Are companies using apps for their on-boarding?
• Is there something out there I can tweak?
How cool would that be if (hey naysayers, I know not everyone has an iPhone just come along for the ride) you were sent a downloadable app with info you would like to have on your first day? The app would include a list of relevant items that a new hire would like such as benefits, team members, maps, parking etc. It could be set up like TMZ’s app (yes, I’m that trashy). You could have breaking news that would be delivered at the right time for new employee and standard stories that new hires would like. Is this cool or is way too HR? Is this actually something people would want? Or is too much information like someone telling you about their STDs on a first date?
I like this idea because it’s mobile. We’ve all been wandering around the halls of a new job only to have to go back to our desk to find something out because we’re too embarrassed to ask. With a mobile device the info is right there when the new hire needs it.
We need to engage new employees in a way that makes their first contact and the following weeks about them. I guess the real question is: Are we leveraging what’s available to make it easy on our employees?
Kari
