Great Starts: ALMA Orientation Program Outline September 16, 2008
By Mike Neag
This self-directed program summarizes the recommendations of the roundtable attendees at the 2006 American Laboratory Manager's Association (ALMA) conference in Portland, OR. Each segment of the program begins with hypothetical questions a new hire might ask. It is followed by an outlined response developed in the roundtable discussion.
I. Where do I work? Defining the work space: A. Desk B. Cubicle C. Office
II. What do I need? Providing the tools: A. Office supplies B. Communication links: HR, IT C. Computer
III. How is the company protecting my health? Teach the safety culture: A. Essentials early B. Complete training within 30 days C. Safety and emergency contacts
IV. What do we do? The business culture—mentors and buddies:
A. What's our goal? 1. Our goods and services 2.The corporate vision 3. "Local" group's role
B. Who's in charge? Business hierarchy and leadership 1. The executive team, board of directors 2. The group or local team 3. Administration support 4. Human resources and benefits
V. What do I do? Personal performance—objectives and evaluation:
A. Job responsibilities and scope
B. Projects
C. Skills requirements
D. Performance objectives 1. Accountabilities 2. Timing 3. Appraisals
VI. How do things work? Business operations, work processes, people:
A. Business geography—corporate scope and remote locations
B. Work processes (e.g., independent? collaborative?)
C. Key functional relationships—extra-group (global)
D. Key functional relationships—intergroup (local)
E. Daily operations 1. Administrative support 2. Mail 3. Shipping and receiving 4. Information resources 5. Benefits
F. The future 1. Growth opportunities 2. Training
G. The social fabric 1. Traditions 2. Lunch 3. Community • Sponsored activities • Health clubs • After hours
Mike Neag is a technical manager at ICI Paints. He offers thanks to Dan Bode and Michele Whited, ICI Paints, for their editorial comments and suggestions on this piece and to Dr. Jim McCargar, Baldwin Wallace College, for a painstaking editorial review of the article. Contact Neag at c_michael_neag@ici.com.
RSS
