Welcome to Ameritech: New Employees

How do you bring a new employee up to speed when you’re moving at the speed of light? Few businesses have experienced the explosive growth of the cellular communications industry, and Ameritech was where it all started. A snapshot of Ameritech today wouldn’t look the same as a snapshot taken 6 months ago.

Creating an orientation program can be a political minefield. The company’s story needs to be told, and all departments must be represented, evenly and well. But how relevant is history? What the new employee cares most about is: Where’s the team and am I on it? When do I get to play shortstop? How do I fit in and how do I get noticed?

We rolled up our sleeves and sat down with people in each department, including the vice-presidents. Then we sat down with the president. We asked tough questions. Why do you do what you do? Where are you going? How will you know when you get there? They were completely candid with us and, best of all, they were on tape. The result was a 60-minute video that is the first overview of the company as a whole.

Ultimately, it’s that truth that new employees respond to. They trust it. They want to be part of it.