#43 VR Onboarding: Useful or Just Silly Glasses?

VR could revolutionise your employee onboarding experience or it could completely suck, you won't know unless you read this newsletter!

I love my VR headset. I'm fortunate enough to own an Oculus and, when I'm not shooting zombies or running away from dinosaurs, I'm chilling in an artic tundra, or listening to a live music experience. I use it frequently to get away from my desk and the real world for few moments. But imagine this: you've just landed a fantastic new job, and you're excited to get started. But instead of getting lost in a sea of onboarding docs and dreary PowerPoint presentations, or back-to-back meet and greets, you put on a VR headset and suddenly find yourself immersed in a lifelike, interactive work environment. You're greeted by friendly virtual colleagues who show you around, teach you about the company culture, and make you feel right at home. Sounds futuristic, right? Well, buckle up bucko, because this is the future of employee onboarding, and it's already here, thanks to Virtual Reality (VR) technology.

When starting a new job, an employees first impressions are crucial, and employee onboarding is the first thing they'll encounter after the hiring stage. This crucial process sets the tone for an employee's entire life with a company, so it's obvious why organizations are constantly searching for ways to make it more engaging, informative, and enjoyable. This is especially true for remote first companies. I've started a job with three of them since 2021 and I spent about 70% of my time alone for most of them. Not usually a problem, but it takes longer to learn the culture and get to know the people when you're not sitting with them. Not only does onboarding set the right tone, but it maximises tenure and ensures people aren't left adrift when they start. Enter VR, the game-changer that could revolutionize employee onboarding.

Let's take a closer look at how VR can transform the new hire experience and why you, as a forward-thinking people professional, should be at least informed about the idea and maybe jumping on the VR bandwagon.

Immersive Learning: Say Goodbye to Boring Lectures

Remember those tedious orientation lectures that made you question your life choices? Yeah, we've all been there. But with VR, learning becomes an immersive, hands-on experience that's miles away from those yawn-inducing sessions. You could plop your new hire in a VR auditorium to watch the lecture, but you're missing the point. By using VR, companies can create realistic scenarios that enable new hires to practice their skills and how they would be put to use at your organisation and gain confidence in a safe, controlled environment. So instead of passively listening to a lecture, doodling on their pad, wondering what's for lunch, they're actively participating and, as we all know, active participation leads to retaining more information in the long run.

Building Connections: Virtual Handshakes, Real Bonds

One of the most challenging aspects of starting a new job is getting to know your colleagues, especially when remote work is becoming the norm. With VR, companies can bridge the gap between virtual and in-person interactions by creating realistic avatars and environments that mimic real-life social interactions. This way, new hires can build relationships with their colleagues, get a feel for the company culture, and feel more connected to the team from day one. No more awkward icebreakers or forced small talk – just genuine connections and a sense of belonging. As long as you don't mind the fact no one looks like they do in real life. Claire from accounting probably doesn't have wings and Steve from facilities isn't really a golden chicken.

Customizable Experiences: One Size Doesn't Fit All

We all learn at different paces and obviously have strengths and weaknesses. That's why a one-size-fits-all approach to onboarding might not be the best approach anymore. With VR, companies can tailor the onboarding experience to each individual's needs, creating a personalized learning journey that sets them up for success from the start. Whether it's adjusting the difficulty level of a training scenario or providing real-time feedback, VR makes it possible to cater to every new hire's specific requirements.

Scalability: Reach More People, Save More Resources

Traditional onboarding methods can be resource-intensive and time-consuming, but VR makes it possible to scale up the process without breaking the bank. By developing a comprehensive VR onboarding program, companies can save time, money, and resources while still providing a high-quality experience for new hires. Plus, with the added bonus of reducing the need for physical training materials and travel expenses, VR is a cost-effective solution that's a bit of a no-brainer.

The Cool Factor: Attract and Retain Top Talent

Let's face it: a company that embraces cutting-edge technology like VR is bound to make a lasting impression on new hires. By incorporating VR into your onboarding process, you're not only showing that your company is innovative and forward-thinking, but also that you genuinely care about the employee experience. This "cool factor" can give you a competitive edge when it comes to attracting and retaining top talent. After all, who wouldn't want to work for a company that's at the forefront of technology and prioritizes employee satisfaction? Just don't call it the "cool factor" you dork

Yes, People Are Actually Doing This Right Now

Let's look at some real-life examples that showcase how companies are already embracing this technology.

Walmart's VR Training Program

Walmart, the retail giant, has taken the plunge into VR training by implementing a program that allows new employees to practice their skills in a virtual store environment. This immersive experience has proven to be more effective than traditional training methods, with employees reporting increased confidence and better retention of information.

- How VR is Transforming the Way We Train Associates (walmart.com)

KFC's Virtual Escape Room

KFC took a unique approach to onboarding by creating a VR "escape room" experience that teaches new hires about the company's values, history, and procedures. The engaging and interactive nature of the game encourages employees to absorb information while having fun, making it a memorable and effective learning experience. (Although, watching the video on the below link you'd think KFC had created a horror-themed escape room (I guess that depends on what you think of the Colonel!))

- KFC: The Hard Way VR | Wieden+Kennedy (wk.com)

Can It Be Real?

So, what's the takeaway here? The future of employee onboarding is immersive, interactive, and downright revolutionary, thanks to VR technology. By incorporating VR into your onboarding process, you can create a more engaging, efficient, and personalized experience for new hires that sets them up for success from day one.

Now look, many of you reading this will be in the tech sector and thinking to yourself "how the hell am I going to be able to afford to give each employee a VR headset?" or "My company makes web applications or mobile games, what do I need this for?". Well, take it with a pinch of salt - VR is still prohibitively expensive for most and you probably couldn't get enough value out of expensive VR to make it worthwhile at a software company. But, if you onboard people to jobs that involve making things, or using dangerous tools, this just might be the next step in training and onboarding you need.

Remember: a smooth and memorable onboarding experience can be the difference between a long-lasting, fruitful relationship with your employees and a revolving door of disengaged newcomers. So, why not harness the power of VR and create an onboarding experience that will leave a lasting impression? The future is here, and it's time to make the most of it.

(I should put an affiliate link to some sweet (expensive) VR gear hear, but I won't!)

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