The AJO Story
We Help Organizations Succeed by Helping People Succeed.
Andrew O’Connor Sr. was a proud and ethical individual who with his wife, Betty, raised a family of seven children; six sons and one daughter.
AJO was established in 1983 by the grandparents of the current President, Shannon O’Connor Bock. In common with many outplacement industry “founding fathers,” Andrew Sr. and Betty O’Connor coupled their human resources background and expertise with a desire to provide assistance to individuals in career transition during the recession of the early 1980s.
They embarked upon a journey to create a very special company that would deliver a service to individuals who were in need of emotional, strategic and transitional support to get them through a very difficult time in their lives and careers. Services initially included help with resume preparation and other self-marketing tools, but quickly broadened to address needs for vocational/educational guidance, career assessment, entrepreneurial interests, networking, interviewing, and job offer negotiation.
Today AJO partners with individuals, teams and organizations to reach broader goals, resulting from expanding services into executive coaching and team and leadership development. This expansion also extends to our geographic reach as we serve the delivery needs of our clients in national and international locations.
The company moved to its current location at 6 Century Drive in Parsippany, NJ in 2008, to accommodate the growing team of executive coaches and consultants.
Impact of Family Values on the Business
With values instilled by respective parents and grandparents, Andy Sr and Betty shared a love of our country and the opportunities afforded to all Americans. Coupled with their deep spirituality, a strong work ethic, integrity, respect and discipline, they balanced a hectic work/life by sharing equally in day-to-day operations of running a start-up company while concentrating their love and time on their children, several of whom were in high school and college in those early years, never missing a family celebration, holiday or commitment to church or community.
It’s those values the company is built on: honesty, empathy, emotional support, hard work, dealing with reality and, most important of all, accountability and responsibility for oneself. In combination with the support and resources the firm provides, AJO continues to support individuals through a trying time in their lives.
Behind the Scenes of a 360: Making the Most of the Process
360-degree feedback is a valuable tool in leadership development. It provides leaders with a clear view of how they’re showing up, not just from the perspective of their manager, but from peers, direct reports, and partners across the organization. A 360 is also a significant investment of time and trust from everyone involved. To get […]
Global Mindset: A Critical Leadership Skill for the Future
The world of work is more interconnected than ever. Supply chains, teams, and customers now span continents and cultures, with AI and digital transformation accelerating the pace of change. At the same time, organizations bring together people from multiple generations, cultural backgrounds, and work styles; leaders are expected to deliver results across these differences. Leaders […]
What To Do When You’re Laid Off: A Coach’s Guide to Navigating the First Weeks
Losing a job can feel like someone pulled the rug out from under you. Even when it’s expected, the mix of surprise, stress, and uncertainty can be overwhelming. AJO has supported over 15,000 professionals through this change, and we’ve seen how the first few weeks after a layoff can shape the path forward, for better […]
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