Hire Slow, Fire Fast – Part 3: Mind the Gap – Building a Purposeful Training Plan (Part 3 of 3)

Don’t just onboard—prepare.When you take the time to identify and fill the gaps early, your new hires get up to speed faster, feel more confident, and contribute sooner.

Every new hire goes through onboarding. It usually includes the basics—who’s who, benefits, payroll, policies, systems. All necessary stuff.

But here’s what most companies overlook:👉 The gap between what the new hire brings to the table and what they need to succeed in this role, on this team, in this company.

Start with a Gap Analysis

Once your new hire is onboarded, go back to your Success Profile and ask:

• What skills, knowledge, experience, or competencies does this person already have?

• What gaps exist between their background and what’s needed to fully succeed in this role?

Don’t assume someone “gets it” because of their title or past experience. Be intentional about identifying what they still need to learn, practice, or adjust.

 

Build a Custom Training Plan

Use your gap analysis to create a focused training plan. This doesn’t have to be complex—just practical.

• What processes do they need to be walked through?

• What tools or systems require hands-on training?

Are there soft skills, communication habits, or internal expectations they need to adjust to?

Document it.

Even better—once it’s written down, you can refine and reuse it for future hires in the same role.

 

Ask for Team Input

Your team likely knows what new hires struggle with. Ask:

• “What do people typically miss or overlook when they start?”

• “What would you have liked to know on Day 1 that you didn’t?”

• “Where have we dropped the ball before?”

Use their insights to tighten up your training process. Collaboration = continuous improvement.

How We Can Help

At Levin HR Consulting, we teach leaders how to go beyond performance reviews and checklists. We equip managers with the tools to lead through listening, set clear expectations, and build trust with their teams.

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