In the May 28, 2008 issue of TIME magazine, an article was published about employee engagement. The basic premise is that if you work toward “engaging”  employees by   welcoming them, letting them know they are valued, asking their opinions, and generally making them feel they are an integral part of the company, they will be happier and more productive which will affect the bottom-line.

This has proven to be the case as multitudes of companies are now utilizing on-boarding to promote employee engagement and reduce turnover.  However, when does this “engagement” start? 

I believe it begins with the recruitment of potential candidates. Recruitment is not just about telling candidates what your company has to offer. It is also about getting to know the candidates, asking them about themselves, understanding their values and goals and helping them recognize their alignment with the organization’s climate and culture.