Navigating Career Transitions and Effective HR Strategies with Nichole Upshaw. In this episode of the Built by People Podcast, the host welcomes Nichole, who shares her dynamic career journey from an entry-level recruiting role at Racetrac Petroleum to leading HR and retail operations at a cannabis startup, and now her role at Cirkul.

Nichole discusses the challenges and learnings from managing through the COVID-19 crisis, emphasizing the importance of communication and transparency within an organization.

She elaborates on innovative HR strategies, such as the Spark employee experience program and Cirkul Immersion Program, focusing on inclusivity and effective onboarding.

Nichole also touches on the essential shift in her leadership approach when moving from a large corporation to a startup environment, underscoring the importance of understanding the business and its people.

She concludes with insights on maintaining effective communication to drive engagement and productivity.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

00:48 Nichole's Career Journey

04:21 Challenges in Creating a Supportive Work Environment

07:02 Implementing HR Strategies in Startups

09:39 Transitioning from Large to Small Companies

11:51 Innovative Practices for Employee Engagement

14:46 Parting Advice for HR Leaders

16:13 Conclusion and Farewell

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