In the volatile world of E-business, speedy and effective orientation of new employees is crucial. Influence, a technology solutions provider, recently started FUSION, an intensive two-day orientation workshop for new employees at the company’s St. Louis headquarters. Not only does this orientation program give new employees-called associates-basic information on such things as phones and the E-mail system, it also is intended to orient them quickly to the company’s culture, including its informally written handbook. In each FUSION workshop, an average of 10 new associates start by meeting the company’s leaders, including Craig Kaminer, the president and CEO. The next two days are filed with presentations on the history and values of the company, teamwork challenges, personally evaluations, and opportunities to meet new colleagues. New hires are also matched up with buddies for their first few weeks on the job. Although Influence had to make a major financial commitment to FUSION, the company feels that the program has saved time and effort in the long run. Carol Sacks, vice president of leadership and development, says:’ whether someone is employee number 50 or number 100, we want them to feel the same sense of culture and excitement about the company. We also want to enable our associates to be productive right away. If you don’t orient people, they’re not going to produce breakthrough work.’

　　Discussion:

　　do you think orienting people is important in the organizations? Why?