Employee onboarding is a crucial aspect of boosting an employer brand, as it directly impacts the return on investment (ROI) from recruiting budgets. Hiring can be a significant challenge for companies, with an average cost of $4,129 per open position and 42 days to acquire new talent. Effective onboarding can improve new hire retention by 82% and productivity by over 70%. To optimize the new employee experience, it's essential to strike a balance between logistics, delights, connections, ways to win, and check-ins. Experts recommend planning ahead, communicating early, introducing teams in advance, setting a great first impression, and defining company-wide onboarding goals to ensure consistency. By implementing these strategies, companies can create a positive and engaging onboarding experience that sets the tone for future success.