Joining a new company can feel overwhelming. There are new processes to learn, new faces to meet, and a whole new culture to navigate. At C2IT, we believe that helping new team members connect with our core values from the very beginning is one of the most important things we can do.
Our values of Attentive Discovery, Cohesive Teamwork, Economic Value, and Loyal Partnerships define how we work and how we build client relationships. They aren’t just ideals; they’re practical everyday principles that shape our decisions and behavior, which is why we don’t just tell new team members about our values, but we invite them to live them from day one.
Why Onboarding Matters
Onboarding is more than just paperwork and training. For us, it’s about immersing new team members in our culture. A great onboarding process gives new hires the tools, confidence, and understanding they need to contribute meaningfully to the team.
When done well, onboarding helps new team members understand their role within the bigger picture. It builds trust and connection with the rest of the team. It sets clear expectations for behavior, communication, and decision-making. And it establishes a foundation for long-term success and job satisfaction.
When onboarding skips over core values, new team members may struggle to align with the company’s priorities and that can lead to miscommunication, frustration, or even turnover.
Bringing Our Values to Life During Onboarding
At C2IT, we take intentional steps to ensure that our core values are introduced early and reinforced often. Here’s how we make it happen:
1. Real Examples
Values are easier to understand when they’re connected to real-life stories. During onboarding, we introduce our values by sharing examples of how they’ve guided key decisions, strengthened client relationships, or shaped our culture.
For example:
- A story about how Attentive Discovery prevented a costly mistake by uncovering a client’s true need.
- An example of how Cohesive Teamwork helped the team rally during a project crisis.
- A case study where Economic Value helped a client avoid overspending on unnecessary features.
- A moment when Loyal Partnership turned a one-time project into a years-long relationship.
Stories connect values to real outcomes, making them memorable and meaningful.
2. Create Opportunities for Observation
One of the best ways to teach values is to let new team members see them in action. During their first few weeks, new hires at C2IT are encouraged to sit in at client meetings, brainstorming sessions, and project reviews. This gives them a front-row seat to how our values influence decision-making and teamwork.
For example, they might witness how:
- Developers ask thoughtful questions during client conversations, demonstrating Attentive Discovery.
- The project manager actively brings in insights from designers and developers, showing Cohesive Teamwork.
- The team discusses cost-conscious solutions that still meet the client’s needs, illustrating Economic Value.
- Someone on the team follows up with a client weeks after a project is finished. A sign of Loyal Partnerships.
3. Assign a Mentor (or Two)
Onboarding is easier when new team members have someone to guide them. That’s why we connect new hires with mentors who embody our values. Mentors provide both practical guidance and cultural insight. They help new hires understand:
- How we listen to clients and ask the right questions (Attentive Discovery).
- How we collaborate across teams and communicate effectively (Cohesive Teamwork).
- How we balance client needs with smart, sustainable solutions (Economic Value).
- How we build long-term trust with clients and each other (Loyal Partnerships).
4. Involve New Hires in Real Work Early
Values stick best when new hires get to experience them firsthand. That’s why we involve new team members in real work as soon as possible.
This might mean:
- Asking a new hire to sit in on a client discovery call to observe Attentive Discovery** in action.
- Pairing a new developer with a teammate to practice Cohesive Teamwork.
- Inviting new team members to contribute ideas during brainstorming sessions to promote Economic Value.
- Encouraging new hires to follow up with clients alongside their mentor to demonstrate Loyal Partnership.
By involving new team members early, we reinforce that our values are a part of how we operate every day.
5. Create Space for Questions and Reflection
Onboarding shouldn’t feel like a lecture, but rather, it should be a conversation. We create space for new hires to ask questions, share observations, and reflect on what they’re learning. We get to learn about the unique experiences and developments they undergo during the process, and it equips us with the insight to help them along the way.
6. Celebrate When Values Show Up
Finally, we celebrate wins, especially when they reflect our core values. Whether it’s a shout-out in a meeting, a personal note of encouragement, or a public acknowledgment in front of the team, we make sure new hires know that living out our values is a big deal. Celebration reinforces what matters and builds excitement about being part of something bigger.
Why This Matters
When new team members understand and embrace our values, it creates alignment. They know how decisions are made, how to contribute to the team, and how to deliver solutions that fit our clients’ true needs.
Value-driven onboarding doesn’t just prepare people to do their job; it equips them to thrive as part of the team. It helps them feel connected, engaged, and invested in our shared mission.
And that’s the key when new team members know they’re part of something meaningful, they’re more likely to stay, grow, and make a lasting impact.
If You’re Interested, Reach Out!
If these values resonate with you, we’d love to have a conversation. C2IT is growing, and we’re always on the lookout for people who align with our values and bring fresh ideas to the table. If you value discovery, teamwork, relationships, and problem-solving, you might be exactly who we’re looking for.
Check out our careers page or reach out directly. Even if you’re not actively job-searching, we’d love to start a conversation. Because at the end of the day, the strength of our business comes from the strength of our team. And if you’ve made it this far, you probably have what it takes to make a difference at C2IT.
Oh, The Places We’ll Go
As we close out this series on our core values, we’re reminded of just how much heart, thought, and teamwork goes into making C2IT what it is. These values are alive in the way our team shows up every day. To everyone who’s contributed, reflected, and lived these values alongside us: thank you. We’re proud of what we’ve built together, and even more excited for what’s ahead.
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