Don't let a new employee spend the first day on his or her own. The buddy should be someone who loves his or her job and the company, instilling a positive attitude in the new employee from the start. And don't just say good- bye when it's time to punch out. Don't give a new employee a work space that isn't setup. Don't bombard a new employee with a pile of forms to fill out.
Nothing dampens the enthusiasm of the first day faster.
Send out a welcome packet in advance. Don't expect a new employee to perform at top speed on the first day or even the first week. Recognise there's a learning curve of at least one to three months for practically any job.