Maya Ollson, Founder and DirectorThis led to the establishment of Kokopella High Touch Outplacement, a firm dedicated to helping individuals navigate their career changes with confidence, dignity, and optimism. The name ‘Kokopella’ finds its roots in a Native American spirit symbolizing abundance, prosperity, and success. This reflects its commitment to empowering these qualities in the companies and individuals they work with.
Today, the firm is synonymous with customized high-touch outplacement services.
“It is not just about offering the best career transition services, but providing a human-centric approach that truly understands and addresses the needs and aspirations of individuals,” says Ollson, founder and director of Kokopella High Touch Outplacement.
How Does Kokopella Manifest This Vision?
The key lies in the caliber and blend of its team and ethos of continuous learning and adaptability. They strongly believe in the phrase ‘Every day is a learning day,’ a sentiment reflected in their mission and practices.
Kokopella’s seasoned professionals are meticulously selected for their ability to relate to and support clients from various backgrounds. This stems from Ollson’s belief that outplacement consultants who have experienced similar professional journeys as their clients are most effective. This accumulated wisdom allows them to advise clients, guiding them through the job search process with practical, tried-and-true insights. The team comprises experienced professionals, managers, directors, and recruiters who have tackled workforce reductions and handled significant HR responsibilities.
Each day, these experts evolve with their clients, enhancing their shared wisdom. They regularly engage in workshops and read periodicals to stay abreast of emerging trends, assessing if the new approaches could prove advantageous for clients.
A prime example of dynamic learning is the implementation of AI-focused practice sessions. This initiative was prompted by a client’s encounter with an AI-based interview process. It spurred the team to undertake extensive research to understand AI’s impact on job searches and develop informed recommendations. They empathize with clients who face the daunting uncertainty of AI-driven processes that mimic human interactions. In response, Kokopella aims to educate and empower its clients, helping them navigate encounters with AI processes with increased awareness and resilience.
These AI-focused initiatives are not the only way Kokopella demonstrates its commitment to adaptability and growth. They have a new Connections Program that introduces clients within their company of choice. And diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) is more than a principle for the company—they form the backbone of its processes. The team draws from an array of racial backgrounds, religions, and international experiences, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and viewpoints. This diversity manifests in its workforce and transcends the broad spectrum of services it offers, ultimately culminating in a well-rounded services suite.
Customizing the Journey of Career Transition
Transforming a promise into reality begins with formulating a job search strategy for each client. The Kokopella team invests hours to gain a holistic perspective of each client’s skills, interests, and career aspirations. One part of a client strategy is to develop a Goodness of Fit document (GoF). This comprehensive profile encapsulates many details about the client and is not the product of a hurried interaction. The firm also provides candidates with a workbook, “The Road to Job Search Success,” written by Ollson, which helps enhance their knowledge and techniques on the job search.
The GoF document is a cornerstone of Kokopella’s service delivery model, attracting Hiring Managers’ attention and guiding the client’s journey through the professional transition path. Far from a static document, the GoF evolves in tandem with their progression, ensuring their job search strategy remains relevant and effective. This personalized approach benefits individuals and lays the groundwork for Kokopella’s advanced strategies.
Our goal is to adhere to our mission and our founding principles of being a personalized service
A Triumphant Success Story of Tailored Transition
True growth occurs through collaborative experiences. With over two decades of experience in the field, the team at Kokopella possesses a deep understanding of the industry. The company is intimately familiar with the intricacies and nuances and takes great pride in its expertise. It’s through the process of working closely with clients that Kokopella truly refines its skills, as each client presents unique challenges and situations that provide opportunities for continuous learning. This adaptive learning approach has been a hallmark of Kokopella, as evidenced by the numerous success stories of its clients.
A noteworthy story involves an individual previously employed by the State Department who aspired to transition into the private sector. Previously earning $140,000, the ambitious candidate’s goal was to surpass past earnings in a new career. But the path to achieving it was uncertain. The team worked closely with the client, offering guidance throughout the job search process. They developed the necessary documentation and directed the client to hone the skills required for a successful job search.
Kokopella’s high-touch approach didn’t stop with the job search. When the client received an offer from Google, the person returned to Kokopella for assistance in negotiating the offer. With the team’s support, the client secured a remuneration package that far exceeded their previous earnings.
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It is not just about offering the best career transition services, but providing a human-centric approach that truly understands and addresses the needs and aspirations of individuals
Bridging Tech and Tradition through Personal Touch
Given the rapid pace of change in the industry, particularly in regard to technology, the future of outplacement services is anticipated to become more technologically advanced. Kokopella recognizes this, and is already integrating new technologies as they emerge to enhance their services. However, while embracing these advancements, it remains committed to maintaining its high-touch service approach. This blend of technology and personal attention ensures Kokopella will stay at the forefront of the industry while continuing to provide the tailored support that has made it successful.
“Our goal is to adhere to our mission and our founding principles of being a personalized service,” says Ollson.
Despite the future uncertainties, Ollson is confident about Kokopella’s position in the market. The firm’s distinct methodology has gained recognition, something she profoundly appreciates. She asserts her strong belief in Kokopella, viewing it as a reliable partner for those navigating downsizing.
Even as the industry evolves and technology advances, Kokopella’s pledge to deliver tailored services remains unwavering.
Kokopella’s success is fueled by values such as grasping the needs of corporations and their employees, investing time in each individual, fostering trust, ensuring transparency, and acknowledging the real-world impact of its services. Staying true to these standards, it continues in its steadfast pursuit of delivering human-centric outplacement services.
