An outstanding retention program is not a HR Department initiative. It is a way of life that is the responsibility of every member of your organization. The key to bringing the program to life is making sure it is relevant, insuring people understand and agree to their role and finally, holding people accountable to their commitment. A great retention program starts with a great orientation program. It is about first impressions.
People remember their first day at an organization.
Get a committee together and brainstorm everything you want to do before they start and when they arrive. You don't want to meet their expectation. Don't leave a stone unturned. Be more than ready for and then celebrate their arrival. This doesn't cost anymore than want you were going to do anyway.