Laura Handrick

Experience

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  Filippi's Pizza

  Jan 1972 - Jan 1986

  Family Member, Manager

  Worked my way up from cashier to manager, then worked my way through college upgrading people and technology practices to scale the family business - where it remains the top-rated pizza chain in San Diego.

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  Foodmaker Inc (Jack in the Box)

  Jan 1989 - Jan 1993

  Project Manager II

  Provided training to store and district managers to improve operational performance. Provided tools to streamline processes in distribution, reducing cost and increasing organizational effectiveness.

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  Pamida

  Jan 1994 - Jan 1997

  Training, Communication & Customer Relations Manager

  Produced Telly award winning videos in addition to on-boarding, leadership development, multi-media communication, and vendor conferences to connect people and idea to help the business maximize results.

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  Mutual of Omaha

  Jan 1998 - Jan 1999

  Project Manager

  Led cross-function project teams to implement PeopleSoft HR, Benefits and Payroll, on time and under budget.

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  Conagra Brands

  Nov 1999 - Jul 2006

  Director Organizational Development

  Talent Management, Change Management, Organizational Performance Management, Training and Learning TechnologieseLearning, ERP - PeopleSoft and SAPStarting with a PeopleSoft project, I earned a reputation as a get-it-done leader, managing a team of writers, functional experts, instructional designers and testers. I managed a budget of $2M, saving over $200K by managing vendors and using internet-based learning tools (new at the time) to reduce overall training costs and eliminate travel time (and time away from the job) for 1,000 trainees company wide. Based on that experience (originally an 18 month contract), I was challenged to lead the organizational change (all training/communication/stakeholder management) for a multi-$Billon SAP (supply-chain) project as part of the newly implemented project management organization. We calculated over $3.5M saved through robust training and communication, and were also able to meet deliverables on-time (under budget). From then I was asked to lead a merger..., then a consolidating, then talent management, then downsizing (a division). Each project requiring a higher level of responsibility and organizational (and political) savvy. I left in 2006, after being offered a severance package (when I turned down a full time position available as a director in Corporate HR). Show less

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  The Maids International

  Nov 2006 - Apr 2011

  VP Innovation including Training and HR

  Led strategic planning, innovation, training, R&D/Innovation (using crowdsourcing), internal brand building and supply areas. This role managed three teams -- HR, R&D (process/tech) and Training (learning & development.)Revamped new franchise on-boarding, led productive task forces with franchise leaders, re-created sales programs to improve effectiveness and consistency, streamlined franchise development process, modernized training programs and all media tools, learning videos and internal communcation (branding). Won a video award from The NEXT BIG Franchise.Created tools/process to realize strategic partnership with United Van Lines and Mayflower in a short 90-day period - requiring buy-in from over 90% of franchisees (UniGroup sold the moves, we did the cleans as part of a co-branded marketing program.)Created turnkey team member career path to help 'team members' grow from maid to Field / Operations manager using online certification and LMS hosting (Learnshare.com)Launched Success Factors for strategy and performance alignment within our own four walls.Improved franchisor/franchisee relations. Really. (Franchisor rated top 50 by it's own franchise owners.)Implemented HYPESoftware for idea management and stage gate evaluations, implementing 10% of ideas (provided by franchisees) in the first year.Launched internal employee engagement program, custom-branded as SHINE (Smile, Hospitality, Impressions, Neat and Energized) to encourage and support front-line team members to maximize customer satisfaction and retention. Show less

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  San Diego State University

  Aug 2009 - Jan 2010

  Lecturer/Adjunct Faculty Graduate Program in Educational Technology

  (Evenings/Concurrent with Full-Time position at TMI) Taught course EDTEC 685 Informational and Instructional Technology in Organizations with co-instructor Karen Boyle. Earned high-marks from our online graduate students. Very rewarding experience.

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  HYPE Innovation

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2011

  Speaker

  Shared success story and lessons learned from implementing a best in class hypeinnovation.com software platform within a franchise organization. Operationalized 10% of ideas in one year, and more importantly...reduced organizational noise from franchises to a light whisper.

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  American Red Cross

  Oct 2011 - Apr 2014

  Organizational Change Management, Marketing Communications - Sr Consultant

  Led HR Communication and Change to support a system wide process and technology upgrade for Siebel enterprise resource project (ERP) and other internal change initiatives. Hosted leader & stakeholder webinars, advised executives, wrote scripts, built strategy presentations, managed internal branding communications. Served as project org change spokesperson. My 9-month project contract was extended to 2 years based on performance.

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  St. Vincent de Paul

  May 2013 - now

  Volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul

  I support my community with various activities. St. Vincent de Paul Society, Master Gardener, Radio talent, teacher. I love being a contributing member of our small mountain town.

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  PGCCS

  Jul 2014 - Sept 2015

  Educator

  Matching community needs with local services, parent education and child services. Accepted this position for one year after relocating to AZ from Nebraska in order to stay closer to home/family during a difficult family time. Loved working with needy families, helping them find local resources.

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  Fit Small Business

  Aug 2017 - Jan 2020

  Business and Workforce Analyst, HR Expert, Writer/Blogger

  Laura Handrick serves as a staff writer at Fit Small Business, specializing in the full cycle of Human Resource topics from recruiting to talent management. She holds SHRM certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), a Master's in Educational Technology, and is certified as an International Franchise Executive through the IFA. She has worked with small business owners and managers as a business coach, served as the VP of Innovation (people & process) at an international franchisor, and served as the HR director in Fortune 100 companies. Her passion is helping people and organizations grow. Laura spends her free time hiking, gardening, golfing, and volunteering in northern AZ with her husband and 2 dogs. Show less

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  Choosing Therapy

  Jan 2020 - now

  Human Resources Expert

  Provide HR expertise to help clients and their employees use healthcare resources to get the mental health therapy and support they need. https://www.choosingtherapy.com/

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  Laura H Consulting, LLC — Executive / HR / Tech

  Jan 2020 - now

  Business Startup HR & Tech Strategy Consultant

  Laura H supports small business owners and start-ups with HR best practices and tech tools. Streamline operations, improve employee productivity, and stay on top of ever-changing federal, state, and local labor laws. Policy, change, training, coaching, software selection, and more.