TrainingPros, a leader in providing virtual classroom producers and facilitators, is proud to announce its partnership with a major consumer products company, culminating in a Silver Brandon Hall Group Award for Best Unique or Innovative HR Initiative in 2024. The award recognizes their collaborative effort in launching an innovative onboarding program designed to enhance trust and inclusion between managers and new employees.

The consumer products company, renowned for fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, embarked on this initiative to address a critical gap in their onboarding experience, particularly exacerbated by the pandemic and a shift to remote work. As the company shifted to virtual operations in 2020, they discovered that many new hires lacked consistent managerial support, which directly impacted employee retention and satisfaction.

The Need

The company recognized that their historically strong apprenticeship model, which built community and leadership capability, was faltering under the strain of virtual work environments. Insights from new hire surveys and focus groups highlighted significant disparities in how multicultural talent and managers perceived inclusion, support, and understanding. Inconsistencies in the onboarding experience across different teams were causing new hires to feel disconnected and unsupported, impacting their overall experience and long-term commitment to the company.

To address these challenges, the company designed a program that would build trust between managers and their new hires during the pivotal first 90 days. The result was a two-part workshop series aimed at improving the manager-new hire relationship through trust-building exercises and structured conversations.

The Solution 

The program begins with a Manager Workshop that equips managers with the tools to build trust and effectively use the company’s six inclusive behaviors. Managers learn how trust correlates to impact and how to break down barriers that prevent meaningful relationships with their direct reports. This workshop sets the stage for the second part of the program, a paired workshop where managers and their direct reports engage in guided, one-on-one discussions to explore their personal values, lived experiences, and work styles.

By facilitating deeper conversations and mutual understanding, Power Pairs has successfully bridged the gap between employee expectations and managerial actions, reinforcing the consumer products company’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace.

Results

Since its launch in 2022, the program has been rolled out to over 1,000 employees across North America, with plans to expand globally in 2024. The program has seen overwhelmingly positive feedback, with average evaluation scores of 4.7 out of 5 for both the learning experience and the ability to build trust. Testimonies from both managers and direct reports attest to the program’s success in fostering meaningful connections and improving workplace dynamics.

TrainingPros is honored to have played a crucial role in this award-winning initiative by providing the necessary virtual classroom support to bring the program to life. This Silver Brandon Hall Award highlights the impact that innovative HR programs can have on creating more inclusive and effective workplaces.