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Why Companies Now More Than Ever Should Offer Outplacement Services

Downsizing is hard to do when it is one employee or hundreds. Providing a soft landing for departing employees is not only the right thing to do, but is also a strategic business investment with future payoffs.
Wichita, KS, United States (pr4links.com) 09/07/2011
In the current economic environment, companies are being forced to make tough staffing decisions, including the who, when and how of managing layoffs. Some companies may view outplacement services to displaced employees as a luxury when budgets are tight. However, companies that plan on being in business tomorrow must realize that outplacement has immediate, short-term, and long-term implications to their business.

Why Should Companies Today Offer Outplacement Service?

“The economy is always cyclical,” said John Daugherty, President of Career Partners International- Kansas City (CPI-KC) “It will turn around. And when it does, you may want those employees back. The better they are treated now, the more likely they will come back when you need them.”

Another factor: You want to keep the employees you have. “Survivors, those who remain with the company, watch to see how their colleagues are treated,” said Daugherty.. “If the perception is negative, that will likely impact their view of the company and in turn their productivity. Now, more than ever, you need your employees focused, dedicated and productive.”

Those displaced employees are also consumers. Instead of creating hundreds of new brand loyalists for your biggest competitor, you can keep these dedicated brand spokespeople on your side of the aisle.

Offering outplacement services also keeps the displaced employees focused on the future. “When they are talking to career consultants, they are generally not talking to lawyers,” said Daugherty. “The cost of outplacement services is much smaller than the cost of a lawsuit.”

Partnering Your Employees with Outplacement Agencies ( http://www.cpikc.com/corporate.php )

Beyond offering outplacement services, it is also important for companies to partner their displaced employees with the right firm and to encourage them to take full advantage of the available expertise. “Employees don't make a career of changing jobs, and are usually ill-prepared and uncomfortable in the process,” said Daugherty.. “In the difficult job markets we are experiencing now, job seekers need all the assistance and support that they can get.”

“It’s to a company’s great advantage when employees use the service as fully as possible,” said Daugherty. “Companies should do their best to work with an outplacement firm that offers high touch with high tech, and with a broad network of resources.”

For example, by partnering with a firm that has offices across the country—international offices where needed—blended with local expertise, a company will meet the needs of employees who want to remain in the area, those who are open to relocating, and those who want to find the best opportunity possible regardless of location.

“A career consultant with demonstrated experience and success can be an invaluable guide in getting through the process and to the desired outcome: career success in a new organization and beyond,’’ said Daugherty.

Why Use Outplacement Service to Its Fullest Potential?

When outplacement services are offered but declined, the company receives little positive benefit simply from making the offer. According to Daugherty, “When an employee declines help, often it is because of the anger they feel toward the company. ‘They let me go. I don’t need their help.’ When they feel this way, they are not moving forward—and they are not going to be focused on finding a new job.”

The biggest hurdle in any job search is getting in the door to meet prospective employers. “Good career consultants are entrenched in their communities and make meaningful introductions,” said Daugherty. “Without these introductions, the job-search process can be long, lonely and painful.”

Also, for employees in declining industries, outplacement services can help employees re-evaluate their career direction and steer them into new and fulfilling jobs. Even for displaced employees who think they want to start their own business, outplacement services can offer invaluable connections, personality and skill assessments, and support.

About Career Partners International – KC

Career Partners International - KC (CPI-KC) is one of the world’s largest providers of talent management solutions with more than 200 offices in 20 countries around the world and serving every state in the United States. Established in 1987, CPI-KC is one of the largest executive search companies ( http://www.cpikc.com ) who focus on talent management, executive recruiting ( http://www.cpikc.com/talentacquisition.php ), outplacement, executive coaching and e-learning services backed by the expertise and experience of more than 1,600 highly trained professionals. For more information, go to http://www.cpikc.com/.

Contact: John Daugherty
Ph 913.322.0618
jdaugherty@cpikc.com
http://www.cpikc.com

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About

Career Partners International - KC (CPI-KC) is one of the world’s largest providers of talent management solutions with more than 200 offices in 20 countries around the world and serving every state in the United States. Established in 1987, CPI-KC is one of the largest executive search companies who focus on talent management, executive recruiting, outplacement, executive coaching and e-learning services backed by the expertise and experience of more than 1,600 highly trained professionals. For

Contact

Carolyn Green

220 W Douglas, Suite 250
Zipcode : 67202
1-316-854-5622
cpikccom@gmail.com
http://www.cpikc.com