Business coaches have the power to transform individuals into valuable business resources. They play a crucial role in empowering people and making them productive and confident in their roles. Annu Pramod, MD of PEOPLEPRO INTERNATIONAL, is a leader who believes that everyone has potential. With a background in Economics & Social Work. She has made a significant impact on society through her work. Annu's expertise lies in helping organizations build strong and efficient teams, developing leaders among school and university students, and enhancing employee performance. She has also been instrumental in creating awareness about mental health and emotional well-being in the workplace. Annu's commitment to empowering people and creating a positive impact on society has made her a sought-after coach and mentor. Let's dive in and learn more from her.

Please describe your educational and profes­sional background.

I was raised in Africa, a beautiful place with lovely people. I graduated and completed my post-graduation from Sacred Heart College in Kerala, one of the best colleges in the area. While growing up, I disliked learning, but over the years, I developed a passion for it and constantly upskill myself. I have over two decades of experience in HR, having handled all aspects of it from recruitment to performance management and being involved in strategic decisions. I now run a training organization and have several certifications, including being a professional life and emotional intelligence coach.

Can you tell us about PEOPLEPRO INTERNATIONAL, its origins, and its areas of expertise?

PEOPLEPRO INTERNATIONAL was founded in Bengaluru, India, in 2000 by three individuals who recognized a gap in the corporate sector, specifically that freshers were technically sound but struggled with interviews, teamwork, and self-presentation. One of the trio is Mathew Abraham, who has been instrumental in molding PeoplePro into what it is now. He is also my mentor and greatest support. The company now operates in three verticals: Education, Corporate, and Community, all to transform lives. PEOPLEPRO offers multiple programs for schools, teachers, parents, and universities. Additionally, they provide corporate training, HR process re-engineering, and community involvement programs. There are over 150 modules available that cover SEL, leadership, and emotional intelligence, among other topics. My success belongs to my team. They are my strength.

“My success mantra is to never give up, and my resilience has been critical in my journey”

What are your areas of expertise, and what are your goals for PEOPLEPRO INTERNATIONAL?

I am a trainer, mentor, and coach, with a focus on training. I started with corporate training and later moved into the education vertical. I also offer one-on-one coaching and mentoring services. Our primary focus at PEOPLEPRO is equipping students with critical skills, and we are always innovating and looking to add new skills to our repertoire. We are also committed to sustainability and the United Nations' Agenda 2030. We aim to expand into other countries in GCC and Africa.

What challenges do you face as a coach, and how do you overcome them?

Coaches must be skilled and well-equipped to help others, so self-care is crucial. Finding clients can be challenging, but the pandemic created an increased demand for coaching services, which helped me grow my client base. Word of mouth is a significant part of my marketing strategy.

What are your top professional accomplishments, and what is your success mantra?

My success mantra is to never give up, and my resilience has been critical in my journey. My first significant milestone was growing a company from 45 to 400 members in less than two years, including putting processes, systems, and procedures in place, having been given this task with just one year of experience. That formed the leader in me.

The second milestone was starting my organization and offering jobs to women and the third milestone was training hundreds of students on critical 21st-century skills.

What advice do you have for women entrepreneurs and aspiring leaders?

My advice to women is to ignore negative voices that say they cannot succeed or are not good enough. Women are no longer confined to traditional societal roles. Family is important, but so is pursuing your goals and dreams. Be passionate, and persistent, and don't give up.

Annu Pramod, Managing Director, Peoplepro International

Annu was raised in, Africa, and pursued her Graduation and Post- Graduation in the best colleges in Kerala. Currently, she is the Managing Director of PEOPLEPRO INTERNATIONAL, UAE.

Awards or Recognitions:

International Excellence Award 2021

Several awards in Toastmasters