Welcome Kit vs. Onboarding Kit: What’s the Difference? Latest Trends and Production Tips
Hello, this is Packative. As employee experience (EX) has become increasingly important, many companies are moving beyond simple 'welcome kits' for new hires and planning a variety of kits such as 'onboarding kits' and 'culture boxes' as a way to convey organizational culture. It’s no longer just about putting together a few merch items...
Hello, this is Packative.
As employee experience (EX) has become increasingly important, many companies are moving beyond a simple 'welcome kit' and planning a variety of kits such as 'onboarding kits' and 'culture boxes' as a medium for conveying organizational culture.
It’s not just about including merch anymore; this is an era where brands visually communicate their values and work culture. So, how are the brands drawing attention these days building their kits?👇
The Shift Toward EX-Centered HR: From Welcome Kits to Onboarding Kits
As employee experience (EX) has become the center of new HR strategy, many companies are turning their attention to onboarding kits to make a new hire’s first day more special.
On a new employee’s first day, how can we show them what our organization is like? In response to this question, many companies choose either a welcome kit or an onboarding kit. They may seem similar, but they differ quite a bit in the message they deliver and how they are put together.
What’s the difference between a welcome kit and an onboarding kit?
| Category | Welcome Kit | Onboarding Kit |
| Purpose | A warm welcome for joining the company | Conveying organizational culture and brand values |
| Composition | Focused on practical merch | Focused on storytelling, culture, and brand experience |
| Timing | On the first day of work or just before joining | After the offer is accepted through the entire onboarding period |
| Key point | Builds a sense of belonging | Fosters immersion and identity |
The biggest difference between the two kits is the 'depth of experience.' Welcome kits say, "Welcome to our company!" while onboarding kits are closer to saying, "You’re now part of our culture." Let’s take a look at how EX-savvy brands design the employee experience through onboarding kits.
Onboarding Kit Examples from Brands That Do EX Well (29cm, ncsoft, ABLY, Kia)
📓29cm | Practicality and brand tone at once
The 'curation kit,' designed with the goal of helping people experience and connect with 29cm’s unique values and culture, includes 13 curated items essential for a better 29cm work life. Instead of disposable packaging, it is designed in a toolbox format to minimize packaging for each item, making the package itself useful. The composition is impressive and matches the brand’s deeply refined tone.
Source @29cm
📓ncsoft | Hello, New Player
To effectively express the value of NC’s corporate mission, 'Push, Play,' the kit is divided into two sections. The 'Push' box contains the meaning of challenge and moving toward the future, while the 'Play' box contains the value of joy that goes beyond imagination. ncsoft’s onboarding kit, which designs the experience of joining the company like a game, is memorable for inviting new hires into its brand universe by calling them 'New Player.'
It also provides an onboarding experience that continues in a digital environment, such as trying an AR filter or downloading digital goods through the QR code printed on the kit, while reflecting its identity as an IT company.
Source @ncsoft
📓ABLY | The experience of becoming 'One Team'
Fashion platform ABLY naturally incorporated its core corporate value of 'One Team' into its welcome kit. The wording on the package and the liner jacket that can be worn like teamwear help new hires naturally feel that they have become part of the brand and belong there.
Source @ABLY
📓Kia | Four kits that carry the brand mission
Kia’s onboarding kit was designed so that after employment is confirmed, candidates can fill out an 'onboarding kit application form' and choose one of four kits—Connection, Environment, Creativity, or Growth—based on their preferences, all built around Kia’s brand missions of 'Movement' and 'Inspiration.'
How Should You Start Creating an Onboarding Kit?
📍 Before planning your kit, answer the questions below:
- What kind of people does our organization want to work with?
- What kind of 'atmosphere' do we want new members to feel first?
- If we were to describe our brand in one sentence, what would it be?
📍 Go beyond simple merch and design an 'experience':
Practical merch is great, but make sure to consider both usefulness and immersion so the experience stays with people. Recently, some companies have been offering choices through pre-onboarding kit survey forms or designing experiences through digital integrations.
📍 Choose a package structure that fits your brand tone:
The material, structure, color, and other aspects of the package that match your brand’s character are very important. Check out Packative’s website to see packaging production experiences from a wide range of companies.
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