Networking, products, escape room, and more. How are they all connected? And how do you squeeze all of this into one week and pass on fundamental knowledge to new colleagues in a way that is sustainable?
The "Jump-in" is our intensive onboarding week at AEB, to which all new colleagues are invited. From trainees in the Kantino kitchen team to long-standing software developers and new marketing gurus in Singapore. How do those involved feel about the Jump-in, its benefits, and the way it is embedded in the onboarding concept at AEB? We asked two colleagues who've seen it first-hand - an organizer and a participant of the September 2024 Jump-in.
Franziska Richter: “The Jump-in consists of several elements. On Monday morning, we start with a joint intro and a moderated method for getting to know each other quickly.
The group is divided into smaller groups during the first day and then starts the so-called “rally”. Each group is given a list of questions to work on over the course of the week. Everyone then presents their results on Friday. There are questions on various topics within AEB, such as “How do we make our vehicle fleet more sustainable?" The purpose of the rally is on the one hand to get to know different areas of AEB and on the other hand to build a strong network from the outset in order to find the right contacts.”
Franziska Richter: “In addition to the rally, various sessions are offered throughout the week. They cover fundamental topics such as our customers, products, IT security, and compliance. One day of the week is called “Culture Day”. It is dedicated to immersing our new colleagues in AEB's work culture. The focus is on our common denominator, the "Common Ground", which describes the values that unite and guide us: What is important to us? How do we communicate and discuss with each other?”
Franziska Richter: “It's a bit like with a game, where you need your basic equipment first. Then you can go ahead and continue working on your specialization. But in the beginning, everyone needs the same things, and it is important that new employees are given this knowledge and tools as soon as possible after joining AEB. One of the most important objectives is establishing a network. It should be stable enough so that it is clear who to contact if you have any questions. It's also important to us at AEB that you can really approach anyone, without feeling shy or afraid.”
Franziska Richter has been with AEB since 2021 and is part of the People Experience & Operations team. She is the right person to contact about employer branding, recruiting, and may other topics related to working at AEB. Franziska is part of the Jump-in organization team and plays an active role during the onboarding week.
Antoine Collot has been with AEB since August 2024 and is responsible for customized solutions in the Logistics area. He also visits customers as a project member to find out about their requirements. Antoine took part in the September 2024 Jump-in.
Antoine Collot: “Before the week started, my colleagues already shared some insights. A few things were mentioned here and there about the Jump-in, but nothing specific was said. This created a certain anticipation. Looking back, I can say that it was a really exciting time. It was great that we were given the time to get to know the company better - who are the people that work here and what do they do? We were able to put everything else to the side and concentrate fully on the week. The onboarding did not consist of scattered appointments spread over several weeks, in which you sometimes take part and sometimes you don't. That would have probably taken away the magic.
It was also particularly interesting that both career starters and people with many years of professional experience took part in the Jump-in. This mix should definitely be continued!”
Franziska Richter: “In my opinion, that would be the Culture Day, during which everyone reads the Common Ground together, takes part in various exercises, and then the group starts talking about it - what does it really say and what does it mean? What role does this play in our everyday lives?
I think if you leave it to people to study on their own, they will never have this kind of conversation about it. It is only in dialog with others that questions arise or critical thoughts can be formed.”
Antoine Collot: “For me, the rally was the most important element. It fulfilled my personal expectations of getting to know the company better and approaching people through interactive questions. Since each group has different questions, the presentations at the end give you a good overview. The escape room was also great fun and good for team building, but the rally was my highlight.”
Franziska Richter: “I think few companies encourage their employees to take a whole week out of their daily routine and concentrate fully on getting to know the company and its culture. Especially not with a playful approach. The fact that we have the Common Ground, which is not just words on paper but is implemented in everyday life, is also something special. And a personal highlight that I can confirm from my own Jump-in: It is always nice to hear in conversations that many colleagues are still in contact with their old clique from the onboarding week and occasionally talk to each other. This is a wonderful proof that the networking has a long-lasting effect.”
