The Replacements

Laura DeMars is a reporter at CFO.

Welcome Mat

A sink-or-swim training policy may make for a good office pool, but it's lousy management. Here are some pointers on how to help recent hires excel in their new posts.

• Map it out. Keep a file on what each job in your department requires. Make sure new employees receive the primer before their first workday.

• Meet-and-greet. Set up informal gatherings for staffers and new employees. This eases nerves and gives new hires a better sense of what their work entails.

• Clue 'em in. Enron management may not have been able to explain how the company made its money, but you should be able to explain how yours does. Educate new workers on your company's business model.

• Adopt the buddy system. Assign mentors to recently hired recruits. This speeds onboarding and safeguards quality control. It also makes the mentors feel like big shots. — John Goff

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