The First 90 Days: Why Great Onboarding is the Secret to Employee Retention

May 14

When does a new hire really feel like they’ve joined your team?

If you think it’s day one on the job, think again.

In this episode of Unlocked Potential, Jesse is joined by Ramli John—onboarding expert and author of Product-Led Onboarding—to explore how onboarding isn’t just a checklist, it’s a strategic advantage.

“You want them to feel good they made the right choice joining. And you want your team to feel good they made the right choice hiring.”

Ramli explains how the same principles that help users stick with products can help employees stick with teams: reduce friction, provide early value, and create memorable moments from the start.

🎯 The Power of the Quick Win

Ramli emphasizes a powerful concept from product onboarding: time to first win.

Whether it’s sending a company-wide email or completing a successful shift, getting new hires a fast, meaningful win builds momentum, credibility, and connection. It also sends a strong signal: “You're already contributing—and we see you.”

For frontline teams, this could be as simple as shadowing a top performer, fixing a small inefficiency, or getting recognized on day three. It’s not the size of the win—it’s how early and clearly it lands.

🍬 Small Gestures, Big Signals

One of Ramli’s most memorable onboarding experiences? Receiving a package before his first day, including his favorite candy.

That single gesture spoke volumes: they were listening. They cared. And he’s been telling the story ever since.

Moments of delight—especially before day one—can transform the perception of a company’s culture and care. It's the kind of story that gets shared, and the kind of experience that sets the tone for trust.

🧭 Map the Journey, Don’t Wing It

Ramli breaks onboarding into milestones:

Preboarding: What do new hires experience between offer and start date?
Day 1–7: Are they set up, connected, and clear on what success looks like?
Day 30: Can you celebrate a small win publicly?
Day 60/90: Are they confident, independent, and ready for growth?

Jesse recalls one early job where it took three weeks just to compile a build. That kind of delay isn’t just inefficient—it’s demoralizing. Great onboarding is about reducing these “time to value” delays wherever they appear.

💡 Everboarding: Why It Doesn’t Stop at 90 Days

Ramli introduces a term from HubSpot: everboarding. Just like in product growth, engagement shouldn't stop at activation.

Companies that continue to invest in growth, learning, and connection beyond onboarding will build the kind of long-term employee relationships that drive execution and innovation.

🤝 Empathy as Execution

The best onboarding isn’t just efficient—it’s human.

From sending a thoughtful package to making sure new hires feel heard, onboarding is a powerful window into a company’s values. As Jesse puts it, “It’s like Apple. That extra level of detail shows you care.”

The takeaway? Empathy isn’t fluff. It’s strategy.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

🎙️ This episode features:

Jesse Chor