Onboarding Welcome Packs

Deliver a Memorable First Day Experience with a Beautiful Welcome Gift Box

The first day is more than a simple introduction - it sets up how they’ll work, who they’ll work with, and what’s expected.

When a new hire encounters their branded welcome package, little details matter. It welcomes them into the company, gives them ideas of what is expected of them, and helps them to get started:

• Items like sleek notebooks, durable branded pens, or comfortable apparel serve dual purposes: practical tools and symbols of your commitment to their experience.
• High-quality materials reflect your organisation's standards, showing that you value attention to detail.
• Beyond functionality, these items serve as reminders that employees are stepping into an environment where they are part of something bigger.

Combine digital and physical tools: Take this a step further by including resources they’ll need immediately:

1. A guide to company systems.
2. Quick-start references for software.
3. A QR code linking to a welcome video from leadership.

Combining digital resources with physical kits makes them not just memorable but essential.

Actionable Tip: Make sure packages include items suited to their department or job function.

• For example, sales hires might appreciate cheat sheets on key clients.
• Tech hires could benefit from login credentials and security instructions preloaded on a flash drive.

You could also include notes on charity causes you support, and show appreciation for them joining the business.

Takeaway: A well-thought-out onboarding experience combines aesthetic appeal with practical utility, making every touchpoint meaningful. A custom welcome box helps to start them off on the right path.

Foster Employee Belonging with a Personal Touch in the Welcome Pack

Belonging starts before the first team meeting.

Beyond the essentials, adding personalisation to gifts builds emotional connections that transition hires from outsiders to part of the team.

Personal touches that matter:

• A handwritten note, specific to their role or background, acknowledges their unique journey and contribution.
  Example: "We’re thrilled you’re bringing your expertise in [specific field] to our team!”
• Incorporate cultural or location-based touches.
  • If your company celebrates multiple holidays, include a calendar highlighting those dates.
  • Add local treats from your city if you’re operating regionally.

Encourage feedback early:
Include a survey or a note inviting them to share their thoughts about the onboarding process. This fosters two-way communication from the beginning.

Real-World Application: One tech company sent new hire kits to remote employees that included:

• Personalised Slack channel invites.
• Pre-assigned buddy system contacts.
• A small box of locally sourced snacks.

This thoughtful gesture introduced the team’s tools and created instant rapport, even virtually.

Takeaway: Thoughtful details go beyond introductory materials - they build a sense of community and loyalty early on. This is important to incorporate into your employee welcome box.

Simplify Your Welcome Pack Process Without Compromising Quality

Streamline logistics while maintaining precision.

Organising a high-quality starter package requires juggling design consistency, supplier timelines, and distribution, which can feel overwhelming alongside other responsibilities.

Consider expert support: Partnering with a specialist vendor can reduce this burden. Look for services like:

• Personalised design consultations.
• Fulfilment tracking.
• Guaranteed sustainable materials and consistent branding across items.

Here at Steel City, we can help you with this - contact us today.

Test before committing:

1. Test sample kits before approval.
2. Evaluate both product quality and how the packaging reflects your brand.
   Example: Flimsy boxes can cheapen the experience, so choose sturdy packaging that reinforces your professionalism.

Expert Insight: As a HR leader, you can avoid logistical headaches by partnering with a vendor that offers "batch shipping."

• Packages are sent directly to remote hires globally, arriving within two days.
• We can provide tracking updates directly, removing the need to chase shipments.

Takeaway: Outsourcing logistics to experts doesn’t just save time - it ensures your new hires’ first touchpoint is seamless and well-executed.

Build Culture Through Everyday Branded Merchandise

Items in your welcome kit should communicate who you are as an organisation.

Beyond practicality, every inclusion in the package must align with the values and priorities of your company.

Customised items tell your story:

• Eco-conscious organisations might skip single-use plastics entirely, opting for compostable or reusable packaging.
• Companies focusing on wellness might include:
  • Stress-relief tools (compact meditation guides).
  • Branded yoga mats.
  • Ergonomic desk supports.

Context matters:

• For a finance firm, branded notebooks with elegant designs suitable for boardroom settings would be ideal over generic mugs.
• A creative agency might showcase its brand voice with vibrant, quirky designs or custom illustrations.

Pro Tip: Include a story behind the items.

• Example: A label explaining why you chose certain materials - “This bottle reduces single-use plastics by 50% annually” - educates and inspires recipients.

Takeaway: Kits that align with your organisation's story create a stronger sense of alignment between employees and company culture.

Retain Top Talent with a Thoughtful Start

Your onboarding investment directly impacts retention rates.

First impressions are indelible, and small missteps early on can undermine even the best intentions.

Retention data that matters:

• Research shows employees are significantly more likely to stay with a company for three years if they feel appreciated during onboarding (source).
• Every part of your starter package should contribute to this - whether through utility, warmth, or both.

Extend the onboarding process:

1. Send a secondary kit or gift after their first month.
2. Celebrate milestones like finishing their probationary period with small gestures.

Takeaway: Consistent, thoughtful recognition reinforces an employee's decision to stay, strengthening trust in the organisation.

Make New Staff Proud to Join

A sense of pride builds organically when your employees feel they belong to something special.

A well-designed starter pack becomes a badge of honour, something new hires showcase in their personal and professional circles.

Practical items that amplify pride:

• Stylish tote bags or high-quality desk accessories often find their way into daily use, subtly increasing brand visibility wherever they’re seen.

Connect to the company's mission:

• If you’re a tech company building solutions for underserved communities, include:
  • A mini-case study.
  • An infographic about your impact.
• Heritage brands might share a small booklet about the company’s history and values.

Pro Insight: Pair staff onboarding boxes with access to community platforms, whether an internal social network or a shared Slack workspace.

• Giving new hires tools to connect immediately with colleagues enhances their sense of belonging.

Takeaway: When employees see themselves as part of a mission-driven team, they carry that pride into every interaction.

Luxury Packs for Corporate Hires

Corporate staff packs go beyond simple onboarding kits - they serve as strategic tools to connect employees with your company’s mission and values.

A corporate welcome pack is designed not only to make new hires feel welcome but also to convey a strong sense of professionalism and organisational culture from the outset.

Key benefits:

1. Enhancing brand identity: High-quality branded items like tote bags, apparel, or tech accessories ensure your organisation stands out and leaves a lasting impression.
2. Fostering loyalty: Customised notes, meaningful gifts, or materials aligned with corporate goals make employees feel valued and part of the team.
3. Creating consistency: Whether for remote employees or in-office staff, professionally designed packs ensure every new hire experiences the same warm introduction to your company.
4. Improving retention rates: A strong first impression signals to new hires that your company invests in its people, setting the tone for a long-term relationship.

Example in Action: Picture a London-based law firm developing a premium welcome kit featuring elegant stationery, leather portfolios, and a personalised welcome letter. This attention to detail helps them attract and retain top-tier talent while showcasing their commitment to excellence.

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HIGHLIGHTED TEAM MEMBER

David Robinson | Account Manager

Having worked within sales and customer service for over 20 years, David has a wealth of experience when it comes to advising and looking after clients in both a B2C and B2B setting. Fifteen of those years have been spent in the promotional product industry, and so David has vast knowledge base of which branded gifts will be suitable and help our clients brand stand out.

With a keen interest in technology and gadgets, David is passionate about keeping up with the latest promotional product trends. In his spare time, David likes to go fishing, gaming with his son and spending time with his family.

Linkedin | Email: [email protected]

You can meet the rest of the team here.