By Mary Ellen Normen, Empowerment Growth Strategist | Learning Experience Designer, NWCFO
Rarely do organizations provide guidance to new employees on how to organize and commit to a sustainable and motivating first day or even first week. Our series aims to empower new employees to achieve success by helping NWCFO clients and their staff maximize the benefits of working at their new organization. This segment focuses on what a new employee can do during their final days of 90 days of work so that they are calm, confident, and feeling like they are “crushing it” and establishing their value on their terms.
NWCFO 90-Day Employee Entry Plan
A self-authored, profile-informed 90-day plan accelerates integration, boosts engagement, and raises three-year retention when compared with unstructured onboarding. Use the template included to own every aspect of your success, from setting learning goals to managing your energy.
This comprehensive framework transforms traditional onboarding from a passive process into an active, strategic approach that leverages your individual personality insights to accelerate integration and drive long-term career success with your employer.
A 90-Day Roadmap for Success: Value Creation & Growth
The Personalysis-Powered 90-Day Entry Plan is structured into three phases, each with clear milestones and actionable steps. Phase 3: Value Creation & Growth, Days 61-90, is your final 30 days on the job before your probationary period ends. This phase is the time when you transition to an employee who is expected to have active contribution and deeper alignment. This is the time during which you should begin to be asked to take on controlled leadership roles in projects; you have established yourself socially within the organization and have set up regular feedback sessions with your supervisor. An employee may choose to skip this step; however, doing so will likely lead to feelings of regret or obligation later on, which are not conducive to a positive mindset. It also serves as a helpful checklist to review periodically, keeping you updated on the employer’s “news” and future developments.
Proactive Communication and Feedback Strategies
Establish open communication channels with your supervisor and colleagues from the beginning. Ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate your curiosity and engagement, but also observe team interactions to understand communication norms and unwritten rules. Express appreciation when colleagues help you, as gratitude strengthens professional relationships.
Actively seek feedback rather than waiting for formal reviews. Research indicates that employees who receive timely feedback are significantly more engaged in their work. Create opportunities for two-way communication by sharing your observations and suggestions while remaining receptive to guidance. Use anonymous feedback tools when available to provide honest insights about your onboarding experience.
Phase 3: Value Creation & Growth (Days 61-90)
The final phase focuses on demonstrating value through profile-leveraged contributions while establishing long-term development systems.
Performance Optimization: Lead projects that showcase profile strengths and mentor others using personality insights. Elevate your impact by owning initiatives and driving meaningful change. Launch a Signature Project:
- Offer to lead projects that showcase strengths.
- Select a mid-level challenge that showcases your skills.
- Create a project plan with a timeline, resources, and success criteria.
Sustainable Systems: Create long-term support networks and develop conflict resolution strategies based on profile awareness.
- Identify if you have established a peer support network. (If not, work on establishing one).
- Create a role/responsibility resource library (Professional Job Knowledge Manual).
- Create a profile-based resource library. (Personal Manual)
- Develop conflict resolution protocols.
Strategic Planning: Set long-term goals informed by profile insights and establish metrics for ongoing development. Develop a 12-month strategic plan for continued growth.
- Foster Continuous Improvement
- Propose a regular feedback rhythm—weekly check-ins or retrospectives.
Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to organizational profile awareness and help improve onboarding processes for future employees. Solidify your strategic role.
- Mentor others and share best practices.
- Present your achievements and next-quarter roadmap to the leadership team.
- Seek feedback and adjust your approach based on evolving needs.
- Share lessons learned with your team.
Conclusion
The implementation of Personalysis®-driven entry planning represents a significant shift from a passive approach to onboarding towards an active engagement in career self-management. By leveraging personality insights, cultivating energy awareness, and engaging in strategic relationship development, new employees can forge authentic and enduring career trajectories that contribute to both personal and organizational achievement. This combined method recognizes that effective onboarding requires not just knowing the steps to take but also being aware of oneself, thinking strategically, and being able to handle complex relationships with others. Through the systematic application of these concepts, new employees can facilitate their acceptance into the organization and establish a foundation for long-term career success.
Why Clients Choose NWCFO
The NWCFO 90-day Entry Plan helps new employees use a flexible approach that considers personal differences while ensuring they forge positive relationships and learn important job knowledge. By adopting this model, organizations as well as staff can convert the onboarding process from a mere obligation into a valuable resource that fosters sustainable performance and engagement among new employees.
As an Empowerment Growth Strategist and Learning Experience Designer, I am passionate about helping organizations and individuals unlock their full potential. The Personalysis-Powered 90-Day Entry Plan is more than a template—it’s a proven framework that transforms onboarding into a launchpad for lasting success. By empowering employees to be active participants in their journey, we create workplaces where people thrive, teams excel, and organizations achieve their goals.
Ready to transform your onboarding experience? Let’s work together to build a plan that works for you.