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L STORE GENERATION

A pioneering collaboration between Leroy Merlin and the Talent Incubator.

More than 100 final-year undergraduate and master’s students in fields such as Business Administration, Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Labor Relations, Tourism, and other disciplines took part in “Generación L Store”—an innovative initiative launched by Leroy Merlin Spain and the Talent Incubator at the University of Granada (UGR), aimed at training the next generation of retail leaders.

Over the course of two intensive days, students experienced a transformative program that combined hands-on training, group dynamics, personal interviews, and collaborative challenges with company professionals—all within the framework of a real recruitment process offering future job opportunities.

Among the most highly rated activities was a virtual reality case study, where participants worked in teams to solve a time management simulation, showcasing skills such as leadership and decision-making under pressure.

In addition, the Predictive Index dynamic allowed attendees to explore their behavioral profiles through a preliminary test, evaluating key traits such as dominance, extraversion, patience, and formality.

Generación L Store is part of a free program that offers:

• Intensive training in leadership and management skills
• A real bridge between university and industry, opening new paths to transform the retail sector from within
• Coaching and mentoring from Leroy Merlin professionals
• The possibility of earning one of ten permanent contracts with a personalized career plan starting in September 2025 in stores across Andalusia, Murcia, and Alicante

The experience has been widely praised for its energy, practical relevance, and the approachability of the professional team. Leroy Merlin emphasized the importance of such partnerships in attracting young, high-potential talent.

#GeneraciónLStore #UGR #RetailFuturo #IncubadoraDeTalentoUGR #LeroyMerlin #TalentoJoven #VR #CarreraProfesional

On April 22, the Talent Incubator hosted a seminar where participants in the Skills Acceleration Program worked in teams and explored the importance of being leaders in the social sphere as well.

The Talent Incubator hosted this major event aimed at promoting commitment and action toward a more sustainable future. The seminar took place at the Faculty of Economics and Business Studies.

The workshop was led by Lola Vidal and Ana Martín, coaches in Personal and Professional Development. Their extensive experience in the field ensured an enriching and insightful event for the participants, who practiced various teamwork and personal development methodologies focused on achieving goals related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The students participating in the Talent Incubator’s Professional Skills Acceleration Program presented the projects they are carrying out to support the School of Solidarity and raise funds.

The event was sponsored by the company “Strada,” whose support reflects a strong commitment to sustainability and human development, key elements of Corporate Social Responsibility.

This SDG Workshop was a unique opportunity to inspire, learn, and take action toward a fairer, more equitable, and sustainable world for current and future generations.

On April 4th, the Talent Incubator hosted a seminar aimed at enhancing professional skills in a dynamic way through the use of the “Escape Room.”

Titled “Soft Skills through Gamification,” the seminar was led by Professor Alejandro Ortiz, an expert in Human Resources management and leadership skills. The event took place at the Faculty of Economics and Business, with the main objective of equipping participants with essential soft skills for professional success, such as effective communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity, among others. The highlight of the seminar was its practical approach, using the Escape Room as the primary tool for learning. Students explored the possibilities this tool offers for training and how it is used by Human Resources departments for recruitment purposes.

This seminar was aimed at students selected as part of the Talent Incubator’s Competency Acceleration Program. These students represent a select group with exceptional potential, ready to make the most of this professional development opportunity.

The event was supported and sponsored by the company “Strada,” recognized for its commitment to the training and professional growth of emerging talent. Their support ensures the quality and success of the seminar, providing additional resources to enrich participants’ experience through the Talent and Leadership Chair and the Talent Incubator.

On March 28 and 29, in a hotel in the city, the selected participants of the talent acquisition programs “Opportunity Days,” held earlier in March, had the opportunity to experience an intensive weekend to train in leadership and soft skills.

The event featured two prominent trainers in the field of personal and professional development: Ana Martín-Moreno, recognized for her in-depth knowledge of emotional management and coaching techniques, and Lola Vidal, co-director of the Talent Incubator. Both experts shared their knowledge and experiences, providing participants with practical tools to enhance their interpersonal competencies and leadership skills.

Throughout the weekend, attendees took part in various activities focused on strengthening soft skills such as effective communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and ethical leadership. The training centered on these skills, which are considered essential for thriving in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business environment.

The program not only provided a platform for learning and personal development but also gave the participants the opportunity to connect with each other, thereby creating a networking community that will undoubtedly benefit them in their professional future.

With this activity, the academic year’s initiatives from the Lactalis Puleva Chair of Intrapreneurship and the University of Granada come to a close, consolidating for the second year due to the success achieved and the high satisfaction levels from both the participating students and the two organizing entities.

The Talent Incubator of the University of Granada, in collaboration with the UGR-STRADA Talent and Leadership Chair, has held the Teamwork Workshop, a training activity in which students have practically explored the fundamentals and dynamics essential for success in high-performance teams.

The workshop, led by Gema Campos, an expert in Executive and Team Coaching, took place on Tuesday, March 25, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in Seminar E05 of the Faculty of Economics and Business. During the session, participants delved into the concept of a team as an interdependent system, identifying the five fundamental pillars of teamwork:

✔ Cooperation
✔ Complementarity
✔ Trust
✔ Communication
✔ Coordination

To internalize these concepts, attendees participated in various interactive activities, such as the “triangle game,” which helped them understand how individual actions impact the overall team, and the “drawing game,” focused on the importance of effective communication.

Additionally, the group worked on identifying the different roles within a team using the Six Thinking Hats methodology, a tool that facilitated reflection on individual strengths and the interaction between different leadership profiles.

This activity not only allowed students to learn about teamwork but also provided them with the opportunity to experience it firsthand. The session concluded with a reflection where participants highlighted the importance of understanding and managing different personalities within a group to achieve better coexistence and more efficient performance.

This initiative is part of the set of activities developed by the Talent Incubator aimed at enhancing leadership and collaborative work skills among the students of the University of Granada.

Self-Knowledge and Overcoming Fears in Another Training Seminar of the Competency Acceleration Program

On March 13, the participants of the Competency Acceleration Program had the opportunity to attend a workshop on how to discover and confront fears and limiting beliefs, led by coaching expert Jorge Blanco from the Senttia Leadership School. The event took place at the Faculty of Business, with the goal of providing a point of reflection and turning point for the attendees, offering them tools and strategies focused on overcoming personal and professional barriers.

The workshop was carefully designed to teach how to face a wide range of limitations, fears, and barriers that professionals frequently encounter on their path to success. Blanco, with his extensive experience in personal and professional development, promised to offer a dynamic and transformative learning space.

In Jorge Blanco’s words, “At Senttia, we firmly believe in the power of self-knowledge as the cornerstone for success. This workshop not only provides techniques to identify and overcome internal limitations but also creates a space for deep reflection and personal growth.”

The participants of the program, selected for their potential and talent, had the chance to immerse themselves in a guided introspection process designed to help them reach their maximum potential. They faced high-impact dynamics, simulating situations that mirrored the barriers created by fears in individuals.

This event, organized within the Talent and Leadership Chair and fully funded by the multinational Strada, is one of many activities organized by the program to provide its members with cutting-edge resources and access to tools used by business leaders.

More than 200 students participated in the Opportunity Days with Lactalis Puleva in a new demonstration of the drawing power of these collaborative activities between the University of Granada (UGR) and multinational companies.

This week (March 5 and 6), the second edition of the “Opportunity Days” took place, an initiative resulting from the collaboration between the Talent Incubator of the University of Granada and the multinational “Lactalis Puleva” within the framework of their joint Chair on “Intrapreneurship and Innovation.” The initiative was divided into two events aimed at explaining to students the conditions and opportunities of working in a top-level multinational company, while also providing participants with the chance to develop key competencies such as teamwork, effective communication, public speaking, and creativity, in addition to experiencing a real recruitment process in which they could apply for both training scholarships within the company and job contracts through their “Start Program.”

Over 200 students participated in the “Business Opportunity Day” and “Industrial Opportunity Day” at the Faculty of Economics and Business. The students came from various degrees related to business management, such as human resources, law, finance and accounting, statistics, mathematics, marketing and market research, as well as degrees related to food science and technology, nutrition, pharmacy, chemistry, biotechnology, biochemistry, among others.

The students ultimately selected will receive intensive, high-performance training in leadership, managerial, and professional skills, and will enter the labor market quickly and directly in areas such as strategy and planning, marketing, human resources, sales, logistics, quality control, management, customer service, innovation, and production.

The activity is yet another successful example of the University of Granada’s efforts to foster employability and improve students’ competencies, bringing talent closer to and enhancing it for the companies that need it.

Participants of the Competency Acceleration Program Collaborate Once Again with the “Escuela de Solidaridad” Foundation on a Solidarity Project

In a renewed example of social commitment and teamwork, on February 25, the young participants of the University of Granada’s Talent Incubator Professional Competency Acceleration Program visited the Escuela de Solidaridad Foundation. Although it was a visit within the program’s activities, the day exceeded expectations and became an experience of cooperation and mutual growth.

The tireless work of the Escuela de Solidaridad Foundation has been a reference for vulnerable communities, and this occasion was no exception. The focus of the visit not only included practical tools—such as planning collective projects, effective communication, and the importance of teamwork—but also aimed at reinforcing key values such as empathy, responsibility, commitment, and helping others. In this way, the participants had the opportunity to understand that professional development is not at odds with a vocation of service to others.

The session was marked by the inspiring testimonies of Ignacio Pereda, the founder of the organization, and the experiences of individuals who have benefited from the foundation’s work, such as Zidan, Benigno, and Adama, whose stories moved the students. By learning closely about the most urgent needs of the foundation, the young participants developed a concrete action plan: from organizing fundraising initiatives to improving facilities or implementing educational activities.

“Facing extreme poverty and need opened our eyes; this is much more than an academic project,” commented one of the attendees. “Now we understand that leadership means being of service to others, and that by working together, we can achieve very significant changes.”

This collaboration between an educational institution and a nonprofit organization showcases the potential of integral training for new generations, combining business skills with a strong sense of community commitment. It is expected that in about a month and a half, these young people will present the progress and results of the commitments they have made with the Foundation, thus confirming that true education goes beyond the classroom and extends through acts of solidarity and social responsibility.

On February 20, 2025, in an inspiring day, participants of the University of Granada’s Competency Acceleration Program (PAC) visited Strada Global’s headquarters in Granada. During 3 hours filled with learning and networking, the young talents explored firsthand the company’s innovative culture, connected with professionals, and discovered opportunities for their future.

“Working at Strada is an incredible experience, not only for the learning but because we provide opportunities to grow professionally. Now that you’re starting out, it’s the perfect time to join a team like this,” shared Andrés Castilla, a Strada executive, encouraging the young talents to consider their future at the company.

In an intense meeting between emerging talent and highly experienced executives, the twenty young people from the Competency Acceleration Program had the opportunity to visit Strada’s headquarters in Granada, a meaningful day for both the students and the company.

Welcomed by managers from various departments, the young participants were guided on a tour of the company’s facilities, where they had the chance to see and experience firsthand the organizational culture, dynamism, and innovation that define Strada’s work environment. During the visit, participants also attended a series of professional presentations that provided a detailed overview of different departments currently growing within the company. From the Sales and Go to Market teams to Implementation and Operations, the young people gained an understanding of the customer lifecycle and the role each team plays within the process.

One of the most striking aspects of the visit was discovering a defining feature of the company: the diversity at Strada, which became evident upon learning that its offices employ professionals from up to 56 different nationalities, creating a vibrant and enriching multicultural environment.

This meeting further reinforced the company’s commitment to developing young talent from the University of Granada and its involvement in programs that promote the potential and employability of young students.

Want to enjoy a free breakfast or snack?

Join the Lactalis Puleva Experience Point!

The Lactalis Puleva Experience Point Program, organized by the Talent Incubator in collaboration with the multinational Lactalis Puleva, will take place from February 19 to 25.

To participate, visit the informational stands set up at various faculties and take on a small interactive challenge about aspects you probably don’t know about the company based in Granada. If you complete the challenge successfully, you’ll win a prize:

A DELICIOUS BREAKFAST OR SNACK!

By participating, you’ll also learn about other programs that the Incubator and Lactalis Puleva collaborate on, which will give you your first work experience or even the opportunity to be hired permanently by the organization.

Don’t miss it! Come be part of this experience, participate, learn, and win your prize!

Challenge dates and locations:

• February 19: Hall of the Faculty of Sciences
• February 20: Entrance of the Faculty of Labor Relations
• February 24: Hall of the Faculty of Pharmacy
• February 25: Hall of the E Wing of the Faculty of Economics and Business

Stand hours: from 9:30 to 12:30 and from 16:30 to 19:30.