Company: Laura Prades Claessens
Interviewed person: Laura Prades
Position: Coach and trainer
Email: wonderlaura@wondermind.lu
Website: https://www.laurapradesclaessens.com

When and how did your interest in coaching, training and LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY workshops start and what previous experience do you have?

My vocation for training arose when a professor gave me the opportunity to replace her to teach her Communication class at the CEU Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia. Later, I taught Communication Strategy at ESIC. I was so enthusiastic about this experience that I started a PhD. After obtaining my DEA, for personal reasons I moved to Belgium.

After the move, my career progressed little by little as I could speak French, but not write it. My last job was as general secretary in an association in Luxembourg. It was a valuable experience, but I felt that something was missing. In 2019 I decided to reconnect with my true passion, all related to training, and started my journey in personal development, I trained in the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method and finally as a professional coach, with the purpose of inspiring others to grow and achieve their full potential.

In Luxembourg I have given conferences, workshops, trainings and coaching for companies such as Caceis SS, IKO, ACL, BNP Paribas, Indosuez, Haute École Henallux…

At what point did you decide to settle in Luxembourg and start your own business?

I decided to set up my company because I knew that if I didn’t, I would regret it. In Valencia, I founded a communication and advertising agency, and although the 2008 crisis made things difficult for us, it was a very enriching experience in which I learned a lot.

When in 2019 I decided to turn around and take the reins of my life, I took advantage of my experience in organising events in the association where I worked to found a company specialising in this type of activity. I started with corporate events and, as I progressed in my personal development, the company evolved towards organising team buildings, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® workshops, training and coaching.

I based myself in Luxembourg, a natural choice given my geographical location and because it is an ideal country for professional growth and international connections. Moreover, working between Luxembourg and Belgium allows me to take advantage of the opportunity to serve both countries and broaden my reach.

What philosophy does Laura Prades Claessens follow when designing the training and coaching you offer?

The philosophy that guides my training and coaching focuses on the individual as the essence of change. I firmly believe that each person has a unique potential and essence, a gift that makes them special. However, our past experiences and limiting beliefs often prevent us from seeing beyond our possibilities and hold us back from achieving what we can really achieve.

My approach, although mainly aimed at companies, focuses on people, as I am convinced that a company can only develop fully if those who are part of it do so as well. By working on the personal growth of each individual, we unlock their potential, and this is how we achieve a positive impact on both their development and the results of the organisation as a whole.

What would you like to achieve in the coming years?

In the coming years, I would like to see companies embrace the personal development of their employees, from the highest to the lowest level, as fundamental and self-evident to the growth of the company. Often, organisations think that if everything seems to be going well, the team doesn’t need coaching, or they hesitate to invest in personal development because they don’t see immediate benefits or return on investment. But this approach, in my view, is a mistake.

Investing in the personal development of individual employees increases their motivation, commitment and productivity. Studies confirm this, and I see this evolution myself in my coaching sessions. Employees’ personal changes reflect positively on their professional performance. My wish is that all companies offer their teams coaching programmes, training and personal development conferences to foster a more engaged and productive work environment.

What can you offer to the other members of the Chamber?

I offer a free meeting or call in which we can explore together the current situation of the company, as well as the expectations and goals to be achieved.

The aim is to identify areas where I can add value and collaborate to develop a personalised plan that will enable the company, through the development of its employees, to effectively achieve its objectives.