EmpowerLab is a community of voluntary and qualified ADEO employees who have chosen to take on a secondary role to enable the transfer of skills between colleagues, and promote personal and collective development.
They are facilitators, coaches, mentors, trainers, or co-development hosts, and their commitment goes far beyond their initial mission.
To better understand how these secondary roles are lived, we spoke to four members of the EmpowerLab collective:
- Mélanie Mélot — HR Project Manager, ADEO Services – EmpowerLab Coordinator
- Karine Blaise — Training and Culture Leader, ADEO Services – Sponsor
- Lydie Guelton — HR Project Manager, ADEO Services – Facilitator
- Eric Schmitt — Store Manager, TecnoMat France – Coached
“EmpowerLab is above all a collective adventure, driven by and for the employees.”
How was EmpowerLab born?
Mélanie M. :
EmpowerLab is above all a story of encounters and sharing between employees who have benefited from various support and skills development programs. Enriched by these experiences, they in turn wanted to make their knowledge and new skills available to others.
What is the ambition of EmpowerLab?
Karine B. :
With EmpowerLab, we want to give everyone the opportunity to develop their skills, whether they are the accompanying person or the beneficiary. It’s a “win-win” approach where everyone progresses.
Our ambition through EmpowerLab is to make the various programs offered accessible to everyone, while building a solid internal base of expertise. And beyond that, EmpowerLab is above all a collective adventure, driven by and for the employees.
What motivated you to join EmpowerLab?
Lydie G. :
My involvement began four years ago, even before the community existed. Attracted by topics of support and guidance, I met people invested in training and individual and collective development.
Gradually, I trained, and then I hosted my first workshops myself to share our culture and disseminate best practices. Step by step, communities were created, and I naturally got involved in them.
Eric S. :
As a beneficiary, my goal was to strengthen my leadership posture.
As soon as the program was presented, I wanted to participate because the idea of being supported by an ADEO employee convinced me. I was afraid of a coaching that was too theoretical, but it was quite the opposite; I discovered a concrete approach connected to my daily life as a store manager, which allowed me to progress pragmatically.
How is EmpowerLab structured?
Mélanie M. :
Today, EmpowerLab brings together 52 conventionalized employees at ADEO headquarters and one at TecnoMat France. Willing to take on a secondary role, these employees dedicate between 5% and 20% of their time to supporting individuals or collectives through the various programs offered.
EmpowerLab is organized around five programs, each piloted by a referent who ensures its smooth operation and continuous improvement based on feedback from the employees being supported.
Karine B. :
Within EmpowerLab, my role is to listen to needs, connect the collective with the Human Resources department, promote and sponsor the initiative, and create the necessary conditions for its future deployment within our companies.
How is the support provided?
Eric S. :
From the start, the support helped me define clear objectives, adapted to my pace and my needs.
This first phase was decisive in structuring the steps of my journey in a personalized way and progressing both professionally and personally.
The fact that my coach was an ADEO employee herself changed everything! She knew my environment, our values, and our culture, which created an immediate bond of trust. This proximity made the exchanges simpler, more authentic, and gave even more meaning to the support. I felt understood and confident in achieving the goals I had set for myself. Since then, I have found concrete keys that help me evolve in my role every day.
What does EmpowerLab bring to the collective?
Lydie G. :
As an HR Project Manager, my mission is to lead a program dedicated to identifying and developing our future Leaders. My roles as a trainer and facilitator within EmpowerLab directly enhance this mission: they strengthen my skills and allow me to contribute to topics I am particularly passionate about. This is a great source of satisfaction for me.
Karine B. :
The development of personal and professional skills has never been so important in a constantly transforming company. EmpowerLab values the freedom to undertake by recognizing internal employees with skills and know-how to put them at the service of the greatest number.
As a member of the collective, what makes you proud?
Mélanie M. :
The launch was a challenge since we started from a blank page!
Today, I am proud to see that 52 employees have signed a commitment agreement; it is a strong act that testifies to their involvement. And I am even prouder that other employees are also preparing to join the collective.
Beyond the challenge of its launch, EmpowerLab proves its usefulness.
Since the beginning of 2025:
- more than 900 hours of internal training,
- about 20 coaching sessions,
- more than 80 facilitation requests,
- and 30 co-development sessions have been carried out.
Lydie G. :
The most significant moment for me was the celebration of EmpowerLab, which brought the entire community together. This highlight allowed us to showcase our expertise while strengthening a deep sense of pride and recognition.
And tomorrow?
Mélanie M. :
In 2026, we will gradually extend EmpowerLab internationally to provide a common structure to all ADEO brands and welcome new programs into the community. Ultimately, we want to build a global community where every trained employee can contribute, support, share, and learn.
We are convinced that the richness of the collective comes from the diversity of its profiles and that our differences push us to complement each other, challenge each other, and grow together.