You just spent a lot of time, effort and money to recruit, interview and hire your new employee. The offer is signed, the start date is set — now what? In the fast-moving, highly technical world of AV, what happens next can make or break your investment.
From field technicians to project managers to account execs, the AV industry relies on people who can hit the ground running in complex environments. And that’s why onboarding isn’t just a box to check, it’s a strategic process that can give you an advantage.
This isn’t just about getting the paperwork signed or handing over a branded hoodie (although that never hurts). It’s about delivering a first-day experience that sets the tone for performance, loyalty and long-term engagement.
Why Onboarding Matters in AV
Let’s face it, the AV industry is unique. It’s fast, technical, relationship-driven and constantly evolving. That makes effective onboarding not just important, but essential.
A great onboarding process helps you:
- Accelerate ramp-up time
- Reduce costly turnover
- Reinforce your culture of precision, teamwork, and professionalism
- Create consistency across offices, regions or job sites
- Differentiate your company in a competitive hiring market
And let’s not forget, first impressions matter. Whether it’s a field tech, a systems designer or a regional sales manager, how you onboard someone can directly impact how they engage with clients, teams and your brand.
5 Tips for Onboarding in AV
Imagine this for Day One of onboarding:
- Your new hire gets a “Welcome to the Team” email from leadership a few days before they start, explaining what to expect.
- They receive a pre-configured laptop and a set of tools they’ll actually use, not just a generic checklist.
- Their Day One schedule includes a walk-through of your company’s biggest installs, most exciting client wins, and how the tech stack works.
- They get introduced to their project manager, mentor or sales partner and know exactly who to go to with questions.
- They’re shadowing a real job site or client call within days, not weeks.
In short, they hit the ground running, not guessing.
Here are some steps to ensure a great onboarding experience in the AV industry.
1. Preboard With Intention
In the AV industry, ramp-up time matters. Use the time between offer acceptance and Day One to begin onboarding:
- Send a welcome message from their direct supervisor and introduce their mentor or trainer.
- Ship tools, uniforms or branded gear in advance.
- Share a “day in the life” video of someone in their role, whether it’s on a job site or behind the scenes.
Think of preboarding as building trust before they’ve even walked through the door.
2. Make It Practical and Immersive
This industry isn’t theory, it’s hands-on. And onboarding should be too.
- Include job shadowing early, whether it’s a field install or sitting in on a proposal review.
- Set expectations clearly; define what success looks like in 30, 60 and 90 days.
- Assign real tasks that show their contribution from Day One, like configuring equipment, learning the quoting system or building client decks.
You’ll win loyalty by giving them meaningful work and the support to succeed at it.
3. Lead With Culture, Not Just Tools
In a project-heavy, customer-facing world like AV, culture is the glue. And onboarding is where that glue starts to stick.
- Share your company story, how you started, what you believe and what your clients count on you for.
- Emphasize values like quality, communication, accountability and client service.
- Introduce the team, not just their names, but what they’re great at, what they’re proud of and what they expect.
Great onboarding helps new hires feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves.
4. Support the Tech Stack
AV companies live and die by their platforms and processes, from project tracking tools, to quoting platforms, to CRM and service ticketing systems.
Make sure new hires are:
- Logged into the right platforms before Day One.
- Trained quickly and clearly on how your systems flow.
- Given a cheat sheet of tools, logins and who to ask when they’re stuck.
And don’t forget to show how those tools support the customer journey; not just the “how,” but the “why.”
5. Think Beyond Day One; Onboarding is a Journey
The best onboarding programs in the AV industry extend far beyond the first week.
- Create a 30-60-90 plan tailored to the role, especially for field staff or account teams.
- Set up check-ins with leadership at key milestones.
- Ask for feedback: “What’s going well?” “What’s unclear?” “What would you change?”
- Celebrate early wins, even if it’s a successful demo, a solid site survey or a clean install.
A strong finish starts with a strong first step.
Bonus Tip: Show the Career Path Early
In the AV world, career growth can be tough to visualize. Use onboarding to highlight internal promotions, skill certifications and cross-functional opportunities.
- Share stories of Installers who became PMs or sales engineers who now lead regional offices.
- Introduce training programs or manufacturer certificates you’ll help them earn.
- Help them connect the dots between what they’re doing today and where they could be tomorrow.
“Here’s where you fit, here’s where you’re going.” It’s powerful and sticky.
Final Thoughts
In this industry, we obsess over delivering amazing experiences to clients that are precise, reliable and of high-quality. So why not give your people the same? The way you welcome someone on Day One speaks volumes. It shows what you value, how you lead and what kind of team they’ve just joined.
So here’s the question: is your onboarding experience as professional, seamless and high-quality as the solutions you deliver?
If not, you’ve got an opportunity. And it starts with giving them the best first day ever.
Leo Golubitsky is the founder and head hunter at Birddog Talent, a recruiting firm that specializes in the AV Integration Industry. You can reach Golubitsky at [email protected].
