You may have to plan it differently for different levels. For example I have seen in one company inviting their senior hires for meeting (strategic ones) which they might be attending well before their joining. This creates a sense of ownership.
At Ernst and Young, when I joined, they sent a bouquet a day in advace to my hotel. Quite a nice jesture.
At RPG Group, I have seen them sending CDs of e-boarding, and internal magazines to hires before they joining. All giving a glimpse of onboarding before you even join !
Sandeep Krishnan
studies in hr