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Abode is proud to recognize adidas North America for excellence in crafting intentional keep-warm strategies, building community, preventing reneges, and fostering mentorship. There is a significant amount of effort and intention that takes place between candidates accepting an offer and showing up on their first day. In their application, adidas North America demonstrated how hard work and strategy benefits the individuals joining their program. Below, you’ll find the highlights of their early-career engagement strategy from their standout application.
Abode is proud to recognize adidas North America for their strong approach to early-career engagement.
Read what this organization had to say about their winning strategies.
“Our pre-start strategy is built around one idea: interns should arrive already feeling like part of the team. Because our cohort is hired in two cycles, we designed touchpoints that bring both groups together early. Regional WhatsApp cohorts keep interns connected to the brand, each other, and adidas intern alumni who live the culture firsthand. Two structured preboarding calls give interns the opportunity to interact with each other, hear directly from executive guests, and get answers before questions become anxiety. By the time they arrive on campus, our interns have experienced the collaboration and community that will define their summer.”
“Before our interns arrive, many have already found roommates: a powerful signal our community-building strategy is working. Interns are grouped into regional WhatsApp cohorts, each facilitated by a current adidas employee who is also an intern alumnus. That combination matters: interns get both peer energy and institutional knowledge. Conversation topics range from icebreakers to office updates, building familiarity that carries into the program. Interns are also paired with buddies who support their connection to the brand, the community, and their onsite location. Paired with preboarding calls, interns arrive not as strangers in a new space, but as a well-connected cohort.”
This organization had one of the lowest renege rates among their peers who applied.
In their application, they cited regular communication with new hires between acceptance and start date, connecting new hires with mentors or buddies before the start date, and providing relocation or logistical support early as the top 3 reasons for their low rate.
“Our Buddy program is built on the simple belief that the best guides are those who have been there. Buddies are selected by the business at hire stage, so interns receive warm introductions within two weeks of offer acceptance. Carefully trained on roles and responsibilities, Buddies understand that meaningful mentorship is a two-way investment. Buddies gain the opportunity to develop leadership skills and draw energy and fresh perspectives. Many Buddies are former interns, creating a cycle of growth that compounds each year. Interns arrive prepared, connected, and supported from day one because we designed it to start well before.”
