- We identified that agency onboarding can often feel impersonal and fail to communicate the culture.
- By creating a personalised, values-led onboarding journey with unique elements, we put the new n-fuzer at the centre.
- New starters feel genuinely welcomed and supported, reinforcing our people-first culture.
First days at work can be daunting
New faces, unfamiliar spaces and the pressure to make a great first impression - it’s a lot.
I believe joining a team should feel like finding your people, not surviving a test. That’s why we’ve turned the traditional onboarding checklist into something far more human at n-fuze.
Personal by default, not just by design
No two n-fuzers are the same so why would their welcome experience be? We start with a chat, finding out how they like to connect, what matters to them in a workplace and how they’d like to introduce themselves to the team. I ask what’s stood out in past roles and what they’d love to get from their first day. That becomes our goal.
Whether it’s the curated Skills in Totes welcome pack, a guided wander around the Oasts or their favourite sub ordered for lunch, every moment is thought through to help them feel seen.
And then, there’s Skills on Toast, a values-led card game filled with n-fuze puns and purpose, lovingly created by Sam Roberts . It’s become a signature way to break the ice, experience our culture, and share a laugh (or shout) as we race to win each round.
Settling in, without losing yourself
Beyond the first day, our onboarding stretches into what we call the "settling in period", a six-month space for support, feedback and growth.
New n-fuzers and leaders check in regularly, co-create development goals and help them build confidence at their own pace. There’s no clock-watching or silent judgment here, just open dialogue, thoughtful coaching and a shared purpose.
Every voice matters and every journey is respected. As one recent joiner put it:
n-fuzerIt felt like people already cared before I even arrived…I loved the personal touches - it wasn’t one-size-fits-all.
Feedback we act on
As well as regular check in’s, we ask our joiners how we did after a few weeks in because we genuinely want to know if we could do any better. Feedback from our 2025 starters has been incredibly affirming:
n-fuzerThe communication through the application to onboarding was excellent and the best I've seen in industry.
These comments aren’t just nice to hear. They’re a sign that our culture shows up in the details... where it counts.
n-fuzerSLICK. I felt everything was well prepared and a process to everything. Everyone is so knowledgeable and willing to help and share, which is a great culture and environment to be a part of.
More than a welcome - it’s a reflection of who we are
We’re a creative agency, but more than that, we’re a community. Our onboarding isn’t a process, it’s a promise: that we’ll always put people first, celebrate individuality, and build an environment where everyone can do their best work without leaving themselves at the door.
n-fuzerEverything from day one has been what I needed / wanted, from my next job.
Settling in shouldn’t mean shrinking yourself to blend into someone else’s culture - it should mean amplifying what makes you brilliant and shaping the culture as individuals.
I’m always keen to learn other ways we can make first days and weeks at n-fuze even better. What was your best onboarding experience ever? - Shelley
