Meet the Minds Behind the Models. Ola Ruud Elvestad,
At KOKAI, we believe something simple.
Data is important. But the people behind the models matter even more.
This is the first in our series “Meet the Minds Behind the Models”, where we introduce the people shaping how data becomes decisions, and decisions become impact.
Meet Ola Ruud Elvestad. One of the people helping build KOKAI from the ground up.
Seeing the bigger picture
Ola did not join KOKAI to stay within one tool or one discipline.
He joined to grow.
“Learning one thing well is good. Understanding the bigger picture is better.”
That mindset reflects something core to how we work.
Modern FP&A and BI is no longer about isolated tools. It is about connecting data, people, and strategy.
At KOKAI, that means working across technologies like Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, Aimplan, and Bizview. But more importantly, it means understanding how everything fits together.
Not the biggest. The right fit.
One of the biggest surprises for Ola was not technical. It was strategic.
“It is not about being the biggest. It is about being the right fit for the customer.”
This is a key difference in how we approach projects.
Success is not measured by size.
It is measured by relevance, usability, and whether what we deliver actually works in practice.
Finding structure in complexity
When asked what problems he enjoys solving most, Ola does not mention dashboards or models.
He talks about ambiguity.
“Abstract problems. The kind that do not have a clear starting point.”
This is where real value is created.
In FP&A and BI, the hardest challenges are rarely technical. They are unclear goals, disconnected data, and misaligned expectations.
The ability to step back, understand the bigger picture, and bring structure to complexity is what separates good solutions from great ones.
When data becomes powerful
For Ola, the value of data is not in confirmation. It is in honesty.
“Data does not tell you what you want to hear. It tells you what is actually true.”
That honesty is what makes data powerful.
And what makes it trustworthy.
This is exactly why strong data foundations matter. Without trust in the data, there is no trust in the decisions.
Beyond models. Building understanding
One of the most important skills Ola has developed at KOKAI is not technical.
It is communication.
“Understanding people. Explaining ideas clearly. And aligning perspectives between teams and customers.”
This is where many data projects fail.
Not because the model is wrong.
But because the message is unclear.
At KOKAI, we see communication as a core capability. It is what turns insights into action.
A company still being built
When describing KOKAI, Ola chooses three words:
“Promising. Unstructured. Potential.”
That might sound unusual. But it is exactly what makes the environment exciting.
KOKAI is not static. It is evolving.
That means opportunity.
But also responsibility.
What KOKAI Care really means
For Ola, KOKAI Care is not a service. It is a mindset.
“Care is about staying close to customers. Understanding their needs. And building trust over time.”
It is about long-term relationships.
Not short-term deliveries.
Looking ahead
What motivates Ola the most about the future?
“Growth. Seeing the company develop. And being part of building what comes next.”
That is the common thread across KOKAI.
We are not just delivering solutions.
We are building something together. With our customers. And as a company.
Want to work with people like this?
Or become one of them?
“You need to be comfortable with uncertainty. There are not always fixed frameworks. You need to create opportunities yourself.”
But if you are, you will learn fast.
And you will be part of something meaningful.
👉 Get in touch
If you want to learn more about how we work.
Or explore opportunities with KOKAI.
We would love to hear from you.
