S2 Ep 4 - Nikol Mard
In this episode we meet, Nikol Mard.
Originally from the Czech Republic, moving to Norway in 2013.
Now working as HR Lead at BW Offshore for Leadership Development.
In this episode we explore the challenges and experiences of hiring and managing international talent.
Today's Guest
Nikol Mard
About our Guest
Nikol Mard
HR Lead - Leadership Development
Breaking Barriers in Global Hiring! In this episode, we speak with Nikol Mard, originally from the Czech Republic, moving to Norway in 2013. Nikol is the HR Lead for Leadership Development at BW Offshore. From leveraging networks to creating inclusive environments, her insights...
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What We Cover
The Expat Equation | Nikol Mard, HR Lead – Leadership Development, BW Offshore
Building Inclusive Global Workplaces in High Stakes Industry
Discover how international workplaces can foster inclusion, leverage diversity, and navigate cultural and systemic challenges with Nicole Mard, talent and leadership development expert at BW Offshore. This episode looks at practical strategies and personal experiences shaping better global work environments.
In this episode:
- Nicole shares her journey from the Czech Republic to Norway and her experiences with systemic barriers faced by internationals
- The importance of networks in the Norwegian job market versus Ireland's straightforward application process
- Strategies to broaden recruitment pools beyond elite universities like BI and NTNU
- How conscious system design can reduce bias and support diversity, including gender and ethnic representation
- The significance of creating a welcoming environment through language, cultural awareness, and inclusive onboarding
- Insights into international cultural dynamics in Norwegian companies, including hierarchy and communication styles
- Practical tips for leaders managing international teams: curiosity, open-heartedness, and inclusive decision-making
- Nicole’s perspective on rethinking hiring processes—embedding bias-awareness and diverse hiring panels
Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Nicole Mard and the episode focus
02:19 – Personal experiences highlight systemic hiring challenges for internationals
04:01 – Comparing job search strategies in Ireland and Norway
05:33 – The power of networks in Norway’s hiring culture
06:51 – Tips for internationals on building networks and belonging
09:30 – How diversity initiatives, like widening university recruitment, impact inclusion
11:04 – Systematic approaches to inclusive hiring and assessment processes
12:12 – Overcoming systemic bias in hiring and candidate evaluation
14:19 – Cultural perceptions affecting international recognition of Norwegian degrees
16:47 – Effective strategies for hiring international talent—creating environments where diverse employees thrive
17:41 – The importance of inclusive onboarding and language use mid and post-hire
18:49 – Addressing cultural dynamics, hierarchy, and export of Norwegian values abroad
21:02 – Building cultural awareness and avoiding unconscious bias in international teams
27:42 – Balancing business needs and inclusion goals through process integration
36:02 – Nicole’s innovative approach to redesigning hiring—diverse bias inclusion
37:17 – Closing thoughts and key takeaways on fostering inclusive global workplaces
Resources & Links:
Transcript
Julian Johns: Welcome to The Expat Equation, the podcast where we explore the human side of working abroad.
Bianca Cenan: We're your hosts. I'm Bianca Genan.
Julian Johns: And I'm Julian Johns. We're both expats and inclusion professionals. Through our work at Candidate Aid and Culture Flow, we help companies and international professionals work together.
Bianca Cenan: The global workforce. Internationals navigating their careers abroad and business leaders creating space for them.
Julian Johns: Today's guest is Nicole Mard. She works at BW Offshore in talent and leadership development. We'll explore her approach and experience in hiring and managing international talent, what inclusion looks like, and the lessons learned along the way.
Bianca Cenan: If you're in HR, leadership, or just care about building better workplaces, this episode is for you.
Julian Johns: And if you enjoy today's conversation, follow us and share it with a colleague who's shaping their team. Hi, Nicole, welcome.
Bianca Cenan: Let's dive in!
Nikol Mard: Thank you. Thank you for having me.
Bianca Cenan: Welcome.
Julian Johns: Great to have you here. Perhaps to start, can you share a bit about your background, where you're from, and your current role, please?
Nikol Mard: I'm originally from the Czech Republic and have lived in Norway for the last 13 years. I currently work at BW Offshore with talent and leadership development. Before that, I worked for another international company in Norway, Yara, focusing on leadership development and learning.
Julian Johns: You've got quite an experience in the background. When did you first become aware of the challenges when it comes to hiring internationals or onboarding them into a workplace?
Nikol Mard: That was through my own experience as an international here. Before establishing a career, I realized it was a struggle. I thought something was wrong with me, but it was a systemic issue. That's when I started my organization tackling this.
Bianca Cenan: That's very interesting. Have you experienced working in other countries than your home country and Norway?
Nikol Mard: Before Norway, I lived and worked in Ireland for three years. It was not difficult there at all. Coming to Norway, I thought I knew how to establish myself, but it was a reality check.
Julian Johns: Can you name some strategies that worked in Ireland but didn't in Norway?
Nikol Mard: In Ireland, it was straightforward. You check job postings, apply, and get called. In Norway, it's network-based. People know each other from school and universities, and you need to cultivate these relationships.
Julian Johns: How would you encourage someone who's been here for a while to stick at it?
Nikol Mard: I still don't feel like I belong here, even after 13 years. It's a strange in-between existence. It gets easier with time, but it depends on the motivation for being here.
Bianca Cenan: What's one experience that changed the way you think about inclusion?
Nikol Mard: Recruiting interns for companies. Focusing on specific universities captures a limited demographic. I've been advocating for broader applicant processes.
Julian Johns: When you hire international talent, what works and what doesn't?
Nikol Mard: It's important to create an environment where diverse people can thrive. It's not just about having diversity but ensuring they feel welcome and included.
Bianca Cenan: What does a truly inclusive workplace mean to you?
Nikol Mard: It's a place where people feel they can be themselves without hiding any part of who they are.
Julian Johns: If you could redesign the hiring process with internationals in mind, where would you start?
Nikol Mard: We need more people with different backgrounds on the hiring side. Mixing biases can help bring in diverse candidates.
Julian Johns: Thank you, Nicole, for joining us today. That was wonderful.
Nikol Mard: Thank you for the amazing questions. I really enjoyed this time.
Julian Johns: That was Nicole giving us a behind-the-scenes look at building inclusive global workplaces.
Bianca Cenan: We hope you're leaving this episode with a new idea or inspiration.
Julian Johns: If you're an international looking for support or a company wanting to improve how you hire and support global talent, you'll find links to Candidate Aid and Culture Flow in the show notes.
Bianca Cenan: This is The Expat Equation powered by Candidate Aid and Culture Flow. See you next time!
Julian Johns: See you next time.