Welcome to Wolox, I’ll be your Bud!
Lee la versión en español aquí.
Being the new kid in town is never easy. When you start working in a new company, there are dozens of new names and faces to remember. There are a lot of things going on, predefined processes, implicit rules and cultural elements that you have to learn on the fly.
What time is lunch break? How should I dress? Who is doing what? Who is my boss? Who’s my boss’s boss? What type of growth opportunities will I have at the company?
For newcomers it can be overwhelming, while integrating and understanding the dynamics of an already consolidated social group, it’s possible to become isolated.
A few months ago a coworker suggested the idea of assigning “buddies” to new entrants. A role for someone to cover all the implicit doubts, describe how the company works and simplify the process of integration in general.
We had positive results. After a couple of evaluation meetings, with constructive and collective feedback, we managed to improve and formalize what we now call the “Buddy System”.
So, as a buddy you have to:
- Organize a welcoming lunch: Joining for food in a relaxed social exchange with the group of buddies. We alternate seats so there are no two buddies sitting together. And we are planning to add some games so no one is quite!
- Explain the day to day routine: Which places are good to eat? Should I let someone know when I leave the office?
- Quality assurance system: Everything we do at Wolox is described there. What is your role as an employee? What are your responsibilities? Who is doing what? Any doubt they could have about the company should be clarified there, and if it’s not, your buddy is there to help you ;).
- Evaluation process: We have an extensive and complex evaluation system. The aim is to make it clear that there is an evaluation to review the performance in the last period, obtain feedback, that is to obtain feedback for improvement and growth.
- Salaries: It’s easy, your evaluation gives you a category, and your category defines your salary. We have a sheet where you can check how much each category earns.
- Office tour: Different departments are on different floors, so walking around and knowing who’s working where, is always good. There is an office map to check out where everyone is setup. But, walking improves health, it’s fun and it’s a chance for introductions.
- Encourage participation: We have plenty of outside work activities (Art workshops, yoga, after office). So, inviting them is also a part of our buddy’s responsibilities.
The list is longer but the point is clear. We’re still improving and adding new tasks to the “Buddy System”. Each person is different so we have flexibility to change these guidelines when required.
The fundamental idea is to accelerate the process of becoming a Woloxer by being there during a newcomer’s first steps in the company. I guess you could say that happier employees work better and are motivated. But making someone feel better in a new group gives meaning itself. Letting them know they can be who they are, that what we have here is more than just work, coworkers and a lot more than creating software.
If by doing this you can make someone feel more welcomed and relaxed, why wouldn’t you? So, welcome to Wolox, I’ll be your Bud!
Posted by Jesus Herrera(jesus.herrera@wolox.com.ar)
