The Small Business School Podcast

Hiring, Right-Sizing, and Building the Team You Deserve with Kristan Strate

Staci Millard Episode 315

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0:00 | 34:09

In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing Kristan Strate from Synergy HR—and trust me, she’s about to change how you see HR forever. We’re talking all about how HR should work for small and medium-sized businesses, how to build a strong team without breaking the bank, and what it means to “right-size” your business. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by hiring, unsure about onboarding, or stuck in a cycle of reactive people management, this episode is your go-to playbook.

Key topics covered:

  • Why HR isn’t just about compliance—it’s your secret weapon for business growth
  • What it actually means to “right-size” instead of downsize (and why it should be part of your annual plan)
  • How to define your purpose, vision, values, and competencies—and use them to hire and lead better
  • Tips for hiring early and intentionally (not just grabbing a warm body when you’re desperate!)
  • Why onboarding starts way before day one—and how to set people up for success from the start
  • The true cost of reactive hiring (and how to stop repeating the same hiring mistakes)

Kristan also shares a free 5-part video series https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/izQ6CDm04JfhXZDANgQX to help you assess your people strategy. This episode is packed with gold—if building a great team is part of your vision, you’re gonna want to hit play now. Let’s do this!

Mentioned in this episode: Find your entrepreneurial soulmates. Join the exclusive community of Canadian women entrepreneurs. Imagine finding your Work Wives™ who share the same bold, ambitious, entrepreneurial goals.

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Connect with Kristan:

  • Website: www.synergyhrc.net    www.frankhr.io
  • Instagram: @synergyhrc 

Staci's Links:
Instagram. Website.

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