Jesús Valdepeñas, from Toledo & Asociados (Madrid): “We are benchmarks of technological change”

With a degree in Law from the University of Alcalá de Henares and an intermediate degree in Occupational Risk Prevention, Jesús Valdepeñas began his professional activity at Ars Publicidad and since 1990 has worked at Toledo & Asociados in Madrid, where he is responsible for advising on socio-labor matters. 

Toledo & Asociados was founded in 1950 and it has come a long way since then. What would be in your opinion the most important changes that have occurred and how has the consultancy adapted to these changes?

I believe that in all sectors, in general and in particular in the services sector, the biggest change that has occurred in consulting is technological, in which Toledo & Asociados has been and is a reference not only in the implementation of new technologies applied in our company but also as consultants with general business service providers.

Experience, professionalism, flexibility and technology are your strengths at Toledo & Asociados. What do customers value most?

In the end, what clients value most is personalized service, ease of contact and quick resolution of their demands, and we believe that we meet these demands because it has been the essence of our group since its foundation.

On your website you have a blog and a quarterly newsletter to publish current news and your own articles with content of interest, regulations, etc. What importance do you give to communication with your clients?

We give total importance to this aspect, practicing transversal and constant communication with our clients and through all means: direct communication, circulars, social networks, FAQ...

Entrepreneurship is one of the pending subjects in our country, but people find obstacles and, above all, fear in taking this step. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own business?

In general, plan its launch, finance and train appropriately, allow yourself to be advised and, above all, persevere with the project. Entrepreneurship is not a short distance race. 

Speaking of labor reform, what has this change in the types of labor contracts meant for your group? Do you think it is appropriate and necessary?

In our case and due to the principle of prudence, we have always been very restrictive when advising the creation of temporary contracts since with the regulations in force before the reform, in most cases the temporary contracts that were made in our country were in violation of the law and this in the long run generated problems for the client that could end up being blamed on us.Regarding the suitability of the new reform, it has its positive aspects although, in our opinion, it suffers from a certain lack of flexibility.

What is the relationship between labor advisors and the public administration? And with the mutuals? And with Fraternidad-Muprespa?

In general, after the pandemic, the Administration has "taken to the mountain" by ceasing to provide in-person services to increase the well-being of officials in "non-teleworking" to the detriment of citizens, who desperately turn to consultancies and agencies in search of help. With respect to Mutual Insurance, we have always thought that they are the ones that work best within the scope of Social Security, we only hope that excessive interventionism on the part of the Administration does not spoil what works.

Fraternidad-Muprespa, like us, has known how to adapt to new times and technologies, having a very good mutual fund management network, a great website and an excellent healthcare network, with the new hospital on Paseo de

The Advisor's Corner is a tool integrated into the Mutua's Digital Office. Can you tell us about the advantages that this tool brings to your advice? What do you think of the Discussion Forum as a tool to share a specific topic with other advisors?

The advantages of the Advisor's Corner are obvious, Fraternidad-Muprespa has created a meeting point between advisors where we can share problems and doubts and resolve them. And regarding the Discussion Forum, Any meeting point between advisors is a great idea since synergies are generated in the resolution of doubts and common problems.

Finally, what would you ask the Mutual Fund so that you can improve the service you provide to your clients?

Basically ease of contact and training in terms of benefits and adaptation to constant social, medical, regulatory and technological changes.