<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<?xml-stylesheet href="/vendor/feed/atom.xsl" type="text/xsl"?> <feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xml:lang="en-UK">   <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/feed</id>    <link href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/feed" rel="self"></link>    <title><![CDATA[Beyond Theory Blog Feed]]></title>         <subtitle></subtitle>       <updated>2026-04-07T11:21:20+01:00</updated>    <entry> <title><![CDATA[Increasing leadership and teamwork skills shows 10% increase in productivity]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/increasing-leadership-and-teamwork-skills-shows-10-increase-in-productivity" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/increasing-leadership-and-teamwork-skills-shows-10-increase-in-productivity</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Since August this year we’ve been providing leadership and teamwork training to eight supervisors and team leaders within a high quality manufacturer.  The course has been specifically designed to meet the needs of the business. As a precursor to the trai...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:28+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Top 10 Tips for creating a learning strategy for your business]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/top-10-tips-for-creating-a-learning-strategy-for-your-business" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/top-10-tips-for-creating-a-learning-strategy-for-your-business</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[At Beyond Theory we believe that having a learning culture is a key factor to differentiate your business from your competition. Learning and the ability to apply learning will make sure that you , your team and your business will continually evolve and d...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:28+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Innovation in business is meeting an unsatisfied need]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/innovation-in-business-is-meetingan-unsatisfied-need" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/innovation-in-business-is-meetingan-unsatisfied-need</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[ 

When did you last experience a flash of innovation at work? Have a quick think... 

Now read the following story.

A utilities company employs mainly blue collar workers. These are people that do the heavy lifting, digging holes etc. – all t...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:28+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Planning for your best year yet]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/planning-for-your-best-year-yet" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/planning-for-your-best-year-yet</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Are you planning for your best year yet?  
 

Where am I now? Where do I want to be? How will I get there? Three basic questions that will help you review, plan and then do for next year.

So has 2013 been your best year yet? Are you in credit o...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Thinking on motivation is moving...]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/thinking-on-motivation-is-moving-engage-your-people-for-business-success" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/thinking-on-motivation-is-moving-engage-your-people-for-business-success</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[We now need to engage our people for business success
 

Read our latest guest blog on how motivating people is changing. The old traditional methods of work harder and pay more no longer hold true in today's economy where employees are employed t...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:28+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Growing Pains v Business Gains]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/growing-pains-v-business-gains" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/growing-pains-v-business-gains</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[It’s not businesses that succeed – it’s people that succeed. 
 

Business growth places demands on everyone as businesses grow. These demands will stretch you personally as well as those in your team. How you recognise and deal with these growing...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Valuing your internal brand]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/valuing-your-internal-brand" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/valuing-your-internal-brand</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Communicating your company values is essential to provide motivation and increase the employee engagement levels of your people at work. Your values need to align with both customer expectations and employee viewpoints too.

Read our latest guest blog o...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:28+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The Golden Rule of Customer Service is no longer enough]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-golden-rule-of-customer-service-is-no-longer-enough" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-golden-rule-of-customer-service-is-no-longer-enough</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[We all have customers. They are the lifeblood of your business. So how does your business measure up when it comes to providing a great customer experience?
 

Here are some facts about customer service:

	Customers tell an average of 9 people a...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Building relationships will build your business]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/building-relationships-will-build-your-business" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/building-relationships-will-build-your-business</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[ 

 Money makes the world go round. Or does it? How about relationships? These days, no one can succeed by themselves - therefore the ability to build sustainable relationships is key for business success.


 Take a moment to reflect on the numb...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Step over the drains and hug a radiator]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/step-over-the-drains-and-go-hug-a-radiator" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/step-over-the-drains-and-go-hug-a-radiator</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[During my career I have been privileged to coach and guide many people to achieve success. On many occasions I have used personality profiling to help people reflect on their strengths, overdone strengths and to develop strategies to overcome things that...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:28+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Measuring what matters]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/measuring-what-matters" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/measuring-what-matters</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Read our latest guest blog on the approach we provide to measuring employee development and people effectiveness.
 

We have access to over 300 different metrics that measure employee development and people effectiveness. However we don't recommen...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:28+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Handling Conflict at Work]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/handling-conflict-at-work" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/handling-conflict-at-work</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Do you value conflict at work or do you shy away? Read our latest guest blog for Paradise Training for advice on handling conflict at work.


The demands of work these days makes conflict in the workplace inevitable. Time pressures, sales targets and p...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:28+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[What makes a leader resilient?]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/what-makes-a-leader-resilient" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/what-makes-a-leader-resilient</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Are leaders born or are they made? And if you are a leader, what gives you resilience?
 

The nature v nurture debate has been around for all my time in leadership development and coaching. My experience leads me to the conclusion that leadership...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Customer Service & Employee Engagement: family-style]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/customer-service-employee-engagement-family-style" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/customer-service-employee-engagement-family-style</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Earlier this month my wife Linda and I spent a few days visiting Venice, Italy. Our choice of hotel was heavily influenced by customer feedback via Trip Advisor and other online channels. We decided to stay a few kilometres outside of...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The importance of standards in business]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-importance-of-standards-in-business" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-importance-of-standards-in-business</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[We know it’s not just about output: it’s about quality too.
 

So how do you decide how to measure and evaluate your performance? What standards do you use to measure quantity and quality? How do you benchmark your standards with your industry’s...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Leadership starts at the top]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/leadership-starts-at-the-top" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/leadership-starts-at-the-top</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Over recent months we have been having tremendous success in increasing levels of employee productivity and customer service in many businesses across a variety of business sectors. Our focus to achieve these amazing results has been by increasing levels...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[4 Steps for Employee Engagement]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/4-steps-for-employee-engagement" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/4-steps-for-employee-engagement</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Have you ever received poor customer service? Have you ever been left feeling bemused by the lack of interest shown by someone who is meant to be serving you? Have you ever felt that you are being a hindrance rather than a customer?



The relationshi...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[5 Steps for Effective Leadership & Management]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/effective-leadership-management" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/effective-leadership-management</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Leadership qualities are being demanded of all managers today. Taking tough decisions and handling difficult situations are very much part of any leadership role. Leadership is very much about doing the right things – not just doing things right.



O...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[When employee engagement delivers great customer service]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/when-employee-engagement-delivers-great-customer-service" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/when-employee-engagement-delivers-great-customer-service</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[It’s central London. It’s 9.05 am on a Tuesday, October morning. It’s busy. I have arrived at Victoria station via the Tube. My meeting starts at 10.00 am. 

Amazingly for me I have time to kill and I need a coffee. I want to tune in to my emails an...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[How failing to meet customer expectations can be business suicide]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-failing-to-meet-customer-expectations-can-be-business-suicide" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-failing-to-meet-customer-expectations-can-be-business-suicide</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[I was recently invited to attend a seminar – ironically on sharing best practice in customer excellence. The content looked really interesting, good for my continuing professional development. The venue looked attractive too. I freed up my diary and I qui...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[12 touch points for managers to engage with their employees]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/12-opportunities-for-managers-to-engage-with-their-employees" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/12-opportunities-for-managers-to-engage-with-their-employees</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Research from the Engage for Success movement tells us that those companies and organisations that consistently engage their people perform the following actions and perform them well:

	Provide employees with leadership that acknowledges the past, reco...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Time Management]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/time-management" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/time-management</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Here’s a great story that I read some time ago. It gave me my lesson in managing my time and priorities. We use story telling a lot in our training and coaching. This is one of our favourites. 

One day this expert was speaking to a group of business st...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Station to Station: how an employee’s environment really does matter to you, me and them]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/station-to-station-how-an-employees-environment-really-does-matter-to-you-me-and-them" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/station-to-station-how-an-employees-environment-really-does-matter-to-you-me-and-them</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[It’s 6:50 am on a dark, damp and chilly Northampton morning. My train departs at 7:00 am. I need to buy my ticket. Will I make my train to London Euston or take the next one some 15 minutes later? No time to dawdle.


On arriving at Northampton’s recen...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The Power of the Positive]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-power-of-the-positive" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-power-of-the-positive</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[I was lucky enough to watch the movie Selma recently. In my view, a great tribute to the civil rights struggle in the deep south of America during the mid-1960s.
I have also watched another film recently. Not a movie but a documentary that was made in th...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Managing the human side of change]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-the-human-side-of-change" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-the-human-side-of-change</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Nothing is forever. Change is the only constant. The future is already here – it’s just unevenly distributed. 
These are all terms we frequently hear. So if change is so much part of our lives, why do organisations keep getting it wrong? Surely they must...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[An opportunity to check out your unconscious bias]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/an-opportunity-to-check-out-your-unconscious-bias" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/an-opportunity-to-check-out-your-unconscious-bias</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Our backgrounds, personal experiences, education and upbringing give us our values and beliefs. 

The term unconscious bias refers to the biases we have of which we are not in conscious control. These occur automatically, triggered by our brain making t...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Solving the productivity puzzle]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/solving-the-productivity-puzzle" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/solving-the-productivity-puzzle</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[With 31 million people now in work, unemployment rates are now lower than in 2008 and the United Kingdom has one the fastest growing economies. However, when comparing Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with the number of people who are now working, the UK la...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Managing Young People]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-young-people" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-young-people</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[We may have heard the terms Baby Boomers, Generation X, 
Generation Y and Millennials but do we really understand them? And if we do understand these labels, so what? Should we be managing people from each generation differently?
Let’s first get to gr...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Handling Difficult Customers]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/handling-difficult-customers" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/handling-difficult-customers</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Handling difficult customers is something we all have to deal with from time to time. Even when we strive to always deliver the highest levels of customer service, sometimes things happen where our customers' expectations are not met. Therefore, how we de...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[10 leadership lessons from Shakespeare’s history]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/10-leadership-lessons-from-shakespeares-history" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/10-leadership-lessons-from-shakespeares-history</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[During my career I have had the privilege of working with many talented people. Some of these include those who have graced the stage at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. This inspired me to study some of the Bard’s greatest plays to learn the lessons of leade...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Team harmony]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/team-harmony" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/team-harmony</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[I had the pleasure of seeing The Shires live in concert recently. They are clearly a talented couple and clearly a couple in harmony. And great support from their fellow band members too. So much energy and enjoyment from everyone involved.

[embed]http...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Groupthink: What it is and how to avoid it]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/do-you-suffer-from-groupthink" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/do-you-suffer-from-groupthink</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Last month I was fortunate enough to speak at an HR conference in Gibraltar.  The event’s theme was humanising the workplace – so topical when everything we do these days seems to be dependent on technology. My topic was employee engagement and how to go...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T20:13:57+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The dangers of faking it.....]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-dangers-of-faking-it" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-dangers-of-faking-it</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Authenticity is key. It's been said that if you can fake it then you’ve got it made (until you are found out…).
Welcome to 2016. So how did you celebrate New Years Eve?
My wife Linda and I decided to dine out and then return home to welcome in 2016. We...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Welcome to National Customer Service Week]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/welcome-to-national-customer-service-week" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/welcome-to-national-customer-service-week</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[For us, everyday should be focused on delivering the very best customer experience. However, each October the Institute of Customer Service highlights the importance of customer service through National Customer Service Week.


It’s well known that cus...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Premium brands require a premium service]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/premium-brands-require-a-premium-service" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/premium-brands-require-a-premium-service</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Northamptonshire has a proud history in the boot and shoe manufacturing industry. Long gone are the days of mass production. However, many premium brands remain in the county producing high quality footwear. Brands such as John Lobb, Edward Green, Jeffrey...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[A story of employee engagement in action]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/a-story-of-employee-engagement-in-action" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/a-story-of-employee-engagement-in-action</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[I recently attended a business meeting in Northampton. Our topic was employee engagement and how people are appraised at work. The venue was quite a large corporate company with an instantly recognised brand name. The building had all the trappings of a l...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Re-think your employee annual appraisals]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/re-think-your-employee-annual-appraisals" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/re-think-your-employee-annual-appraisals</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[The days of the annual traditional appraisal are numbered. At long last many businesses are coming to the realisation that an annual appraisal is no longer worth the paper it’s written on.
In a recent edition of the Harvard Business Review, Deloitte decl...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[What the giants can learn about customer service from the challenger brands]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/giants-can-learn-about-customer-service-challenger-brands" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/giants-can-learn-about-customer-service-challenger-brands</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[In October we’re exhibiting at a niche business show. To support this we’ve decided to invest in a new exhibition stand. The design has been agreed and the order placed. Last week our new stand was due to be delivered. An international carrier was selecte...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:30+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Case Study – The Gonville Hotel, Cambridge, United Kingdom]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/case-study-the-gonville-hotel-cambridge-united-kingdom" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/case-study-the-gonville-hotel-cambridge-united-kingdom</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[In the past couple of weeks The Gonville Hotel received recognition by achieving number one status for hotel accommodation on Trip Advisor for Cambridge. This blog is the story of our contribution to the Gonville Hotel’s success.
We have been working wit...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[FAQs as a result of the UK voting to leave EU]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/faqs-result-uk-voting-leave-eu" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/faqs-result-uk-voting-leave-eu</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[At times like these, employee engagement takes on the greatest of significance. At Beyond Theory we have developed FAQs from a briefing that I have received from the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD). The CIPD is the 'go to place'...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:30+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[How to make an exhibition of yourself]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-make-an-exhibition-of-yourself" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-make-an-exhibition-of-yourself</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[We’re in mid-summer. Looking ahead the autumn is on our horizon. Autumn brings the business conference and exhibition season. So now is the time for you to begin to plan how to make an exhibition of yourself and your company – for all the right reasons o...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:30+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Treating a complaint as a gift...]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/treating-complaint-gift" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/treating-complaint-gift</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA['Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning’ is a quote often attributed to Microsoft founder Bill Gates. How do you view and handle your complaints? Are you really using every opportunity to turn those ouch! moments in to wows! Ca...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:30+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The danger of the metaphor]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-danger-of-the-metaphor" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-danger-of-the-metaphor</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[We all know and appreciate the power of language. It is often said that the meaning of communication is the reaction you get. Language can be positive as well as negative. Language will often evoke emotion, both good and bad. Sometimes the issue is that w...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:30+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[How to give a feedback sandwich with no bread…]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-give-a-feedback-sandwich-with-no-bread" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-give-a-feedback-sandwich-with-no-bread</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Over time I have often come across the method of giving feedback using the sandwich technique. I think you’ll recognise this: something positive, something negative and then something positive. Although I appreciate the need to leave people feeling on a h...]]> </summary>   <updated>2024-12-24T10:10:22+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Leadership v management]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/leadership_v_management-beyond-theory-blog" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/leadership_v_management-beyond-theory-blog</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Leadership versus management is a topic that is often discussed and debated on our leadership and management development courses. Which is the best? Are they the same? Does it really matter what you call it, so long as you are doing the right thing the ri...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:30+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[How to make your New Year resolutions happen]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/make-your-new-year-resolutions-happen" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/make-your-new-year-resolutions-happen</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Happy New Year! And welcome to the season for New Year resolutions. I expect that my local gym will be full and that lots of people will be watching not only their portion size but what’s in their portions too. Until at least February… Apparently most New...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:30+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The Science of Persuasion]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-science-of-persuasion" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-science-of-persuasion</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Influencing others is essential in business. Whether in sales, design, management or anything else how we persuade others is key to our success.  So is persuading others an art or a science?
Life is a negotiation. We can rarely, if ever, succeed by ourse...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T17:04:39+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Higher levels of employee engagement boost customer satisfaction]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/higher-levels-of-employee-engagement-boost-customer-satisfaction" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/higher-levels-of-employee-engagement-boost-customer-satisfaction</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[This headline is a direct quote from the UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) published by the Institute of Customer Service (ICS) in January 2017. This report goes on to say that a 1 point increase in employee engagement is likely to give a 0.41 point...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Listening is far more than hearing]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/listening-is-far-more-than-hearing" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/listening-is-far-more-than-hearing</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Listening is a key part of employee voiceGiving employees a voice is a recognised driver to increase employee engagement. People need to feel they can contribute ideas and improve things that aren’t working. Listening, rather than just hearing, is theref...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:30+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[What to do when things go wrong]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/what-to-do-when-things-go-wrong" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/what-to-do-when-things-go-wrong</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[What to do when things go wrong? Last week’s eviction of Dr. David Dao from the United Airlines flight went viral. Not the kind of publicity that is welcome. Whatever the reason for the passenger being removed the whole episode proved to be a serious publ...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:30+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Listening to understand v listening to respond]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/listening-understand-v-listening-respond" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/listening-understand-v-listening-respond</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Our blog in March focused on listening skills. This blog focuses on the attitude needed to listen effectively. In essence, the difference between listening to understand v listening to respond.
Take a look at the video clip below which was live on televi...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T20:17:16+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Presentation Skills – it’s all Greek to me]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/presentation-skills-its-all-greek-to-me" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/presentation-skills-its-all-greek-to-me</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[It’s often been said that apart from bereavement, public speaking is the most stressful experience we can have. If you're fretting about making a presentation then here's some great advice from ancient history. Greek philosopher Aristotle talked about thr...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-17T20:03:46+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Supermarket wars! Aldi leads the way in customer satisfaction]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/aldi-leads-the-way-in-customer-satisfaction" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/aldi-leads-the-way-in-customer-satisfaction</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[A couple of weeks ago the Institute of Customer Service (ICS) published its latest ‘state of the nation’ report. It’s a great read. The UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) is an established barometer to measure the trends in customer service. One fact...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Top 10 Customer Service Tools and Techniques]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/top-10-customer-service-tools-and-techniques" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/top-10-customer-service-tools-and-techniques</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Guest Blog by Julia Doherty, Green Umbrella
The right service techniques can have a huge impact on your customer service and ultimately the happiness of your clients.  In this post, I will share with you twelve tools and techniques that we have found val...]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Planning Your Communication]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/planning-your-communication" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/planning-your-communication</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Have you ever been misunderstood by email? Have you ever had a situation where your presentation failed to hit the spot with your audience? Have you ever been in a meeting where you missed an opportunity to make your point? If so, then please read on and...]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Are you a FABulous manager?]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/are-you-a-fabulous-manager" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/are-you-a-fabulous-manager</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[We often debate what’s more important. Is it leadership or is it management? Succeeding in today’s world of high customer expectations, fast paced change and tough economic conditions is tougher than ever. So how do you become a FABulous manager?]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Everyday challenges in keeping employees engaged]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/everyday-challenges-in-keeping-employees-engaged" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/everyday-challenges-in-keeping-employees-engaged</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Here’s a story that highlights the challenges employers face in keeping employees engaged in their work. Read on and then consider the questions I pose.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Employee Engagement Creates Sustainable Business Success]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/employee-engagement-creates-sustainable-business-success" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/employee-engagement-creates-sustainable-business-success</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Welcome to 2018!  It certainly seems to have got off to a flying start.  The news seems to be dominated by appalling examples of behaviour, the economic outlook continues to be uncertain and the UK’s political situation is as volatile as ever. For many, having a workplace that is safe, friendly and purposeful provides one place of relative sanctuary in our turbulent world. So how do we create such a positive working environment?]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Latest trends in customer satisfaction]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/latest-trends-in-customer-satisfaction" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/latest-trends-in-customer-satisfaction</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Latest trends in customer satisfaction in the United Kingdom]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[What can living on a submarine teach us about leadership and teamwork?]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/improving-leadership-and-team-working" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/improving-leadership-and-team-working</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[How would you cope if you were to live on a submarine for months on end? What stresses and strains would you feel? What demands would living in such an environment place on your relationships with others on board?]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Let's Make Work 'Good Work']]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/lets-make-work-good-work" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/lets-make-work-good-work</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Last summer Matthew Taylor published a report on behalf of our Government. Matthew is the current chief executive of the RSA. The report was called Good Work. Here's my advice on how make work 'good work'.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Putting on The Ritz]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/putting-on-the-ritz" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/putting-on-the-ritz</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[At Beyond Theory we regularly take time to benchmark best practice. This keeps us up to speed with what’s going on in the big wide world, in turn keeping our own special blend of training and coaching up to date. Passing on top tips to our clients is something we really enjoy.

We recently visited The Ritz for afternoon tea. Yes, nice work if you can get it. But it was work and here are our top 5 learning points from our own customer experience.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Creating an Employee Engagement Strategy and Making It Work]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/creating-an-employee-engagement-strategy-and-making-it-work" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/creating-an-employee-engagement-strategy-and-making-it-work</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[This month we’ve invited Duncan Geddes, managing director of Northamptonshire-based Technical Foam Services, (pictured on the right) to share his story as our guest blog.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Where and how to improve your customer satisfaction]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/where-and-how-to-improve-your-customer-satisfaction" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/where-and-how-to-improve-your-customer-satisfaction</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Whether you customer satisfaction are good, bad or just plain ugly there’s always room for improvement. This month’s blog will help you decide where to focus your attention.]]> </summary>   <updated>2022-09-29T21:43:42+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Train Your Team To Deal With Unusual Situations]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/train-your-team-to-deal-with-unusual-situations" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/train-your-team-to-deal-with-unusual-situations</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Make sure your team are not only trained to deal with routine situations. Give them training on how to deal with the unusual situations. Dealing with these unusual circumstances well will give you and your team opportunities to deliver those wow! moments that customers love and tell others about.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[When the customer isn't right..]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/when-the-customer-isnt-right" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/when-the-customer-isnt-right</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Is the customer always right? Always? Sometimes? Never? Our advice is ‘yes, until proved otherwise’. How we deal with these situations is key as others will be looking on and judging this customer experience. Read our blog for advice to give to maintain the best levels of customer service and customer experience.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[More evidence that employee engagement works..!]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/more-evidence-that-employee-engagement-works" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/more-evidence-that-employee-engagement-works</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[At Beyond Theory our message is simple - it's 'look after your people and they’ll take care of your business'. So we were delighted that see that our clients The Maids Head Hotel have been recognised by winning Norfolk's Best Employer Award 2018.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Flexible processes deliver a better customer experience]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/flexible-processes-deliver-a-better-customer-experience" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/flexible-processes-deliver-a-better-customer-experience</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Customer experience is more than smiling and providing a good level of customer service. Customer experience includes the journey that your customers make from researching your products and services, using them and paying for them. Therefore, delivering customer experience includes processes and well as people. 
This isn’t a new concept. So why do so many companies and organisations get their customer experience so wrong?]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[7 Steps to Implement Your Plan]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/7-steps-to-implement-your-plan" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/7-steps-to-implement-your-plan</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[At this time of year our thoughts often turn to making plans for the New Year. Much is said about setting a goal. I’d like to focus on how to make sure your goal is planned and achieved. Follow our 7-step process to lead and engage your team.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[What drives customer satisfaction?]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/what-drives-customer-satisfaction" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/what-drives-customer-satisfaction</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[The Institute of Customer Service has just published their latest UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI). This now highlights the key dimensions that drive customer satisfaction: customer experience, complaint handling, customer ethos, emotional connection and ethics.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Customer satisfaction – make sure you do the basics brilliantly]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/customer-satisfaction-make-sure-you-do-the-basics-brilliantly" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/customer-satisfaction-make-sure-you-do-the-basics-brilliantly</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[It’s very tempting to spend lots of time, energy and money on creative ways to give the very best customer experience. However, this all goes to waste if we let our customers down by failing to deliver the basics of customer satisfaction. Unless we do these basics brilliantly our precious resources will be diverted to handling more and more customer complaints.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Managing risk does not need to be a risky business]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-risk-does-not-need-to-be-a-risky-business" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-risk-does-not-need-to-be-a-risky-business</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[When it comes to leadership and management, managing risk is something that we don’t always talk about. Yet all businesses have risks. For example, what happens if you lose a key customer? What if an important member of your team decides to leave? How can you react if your business grows and you do not have the resources in place to handle the extra demand? Here are our top tips to identify and manage the risks in your business.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Our Beliefs and Principles on Managing Performance]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/our-beliefs-and-principles-on-managing-performance-" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/our-beliefs-and-principles-on-managing-performance-</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Given our expertise we have set our our own beliefs and values of what is necessary to ensure that managing performance is undertaken effectively. We acknowledge that every company and organisation is unique but our experience tells us that these beliefs and values can be applied to good effect across all organisations. Read through these and ask yourself how can they be applied where you work.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:31+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Managing Performance Tool Kit]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-performance-tool-kit" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-performance-tool-kit</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Managing performance is a key aspect of any leadership role. Enabling people to be at their best is pivotal in building employee engagement and delivering the best customer experience. Here's our tool kit to help manage the performance of your team.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-11T21:42:32+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Together Everyone Achieves More]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/together-everyone-achieves-more" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/together-everyone-achieves-more</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Teamwork is a term often spoken about but not always demonstrated. Yet no one can succeed by themselves. Together everyone achieves more. Here are our views on what enables a group of people to become a team.]]> </summary>   <updated>2023-08-18T18:35:28+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The Five Dimensions of Customer Satisfaction]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-five-dimensions-of-customer-satisfaction" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-five-dimensions-of-customer-satisfaction</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Every six months the Institute of Customer Service publishes its research on the state of customer satisfaction in the UK. Known as the UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) the report provides insights into how customers perceive customer satisfaction and guidance on how organisations can improve.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Managing the Psychological Contract at Work]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-the-psychological-contract-at-work" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-the-psychological-contract-at-work</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[At Beyond Theory our belief is that work is a force for good. We believe that work provides people with an income, a feeling of social inclusion and a sense of purpose. We also believe that people have two types of contract with their employer – the written, legal contract that specifies terms and conditions etc. and an unwritten contract which is all about how an employee feels about their employer. We refer to the unwritten contract as the psychological contract.]]> </summary>   <updated>2022-05-17T18:27:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[When it comes to customer experience make sure the last impression is the most important]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/customer-experience-make-the-last-impression-the-most-important" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/customer-experience-make-the-last-impression-the-most-important</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[It’s true that you only get one chance to make a first impression. However, this blog tells a story to emphasise that the final impression is the most important. Whatever business you’re in, make sure that you leave your customer at least satisfied if not wowed.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-09-15T20:09:08+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Delegating work is different to allocating work]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/delegating-work-is-different-to-allocation-work" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/delegating-work-is-different-to-allocation-work</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Delegating work is different to allocating work. Delegating offers genuine opportunities for people to grow and develop. Allocating work is simply distributing tasks to get done. Although allocating work has its place, delegating work pays big dividends in terms of employee engagement and development. Done properly, delegating will be even more rewarding for both manager and team member because, when done effectively, it offers variety and other intrinsic motivational rewards too.]]> </summary>   <updated>2019-10-27T21:01:44+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[To be or not to be - use FIRO B]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/to-be-of-not-to-be-use-firo-b" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/to-be-of-not-to-be-use-firo-b</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[FIRO-B is a much underrated psychometric. If you want to know more about how you and others prefer to act and behave in group situations then FIRO-B could provide the key to unlock the answers you and your team are looking for.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T17:07:01+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Employee engagement remains as important as ever]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/employee-engagement-remains-as-important-as-ever" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/employee-engagement-remains-as-important-as-ever</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Over the past 10 years, employee engagement has become more central to customer experience and more challenging to achieve. This is the assessment made by the Institute of Customer Service in their recently published UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI – January 2020).]]> </summary>   <updated>2020-01-26T20:47:37+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The Only Way Is Ethics]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-only-way-is-ethics" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-only-way-is-ethics</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Is it time for you to refresh your company’s values and behaviours to reflect what your customers and employees are expecting? This blog article focuses on the growing importance of business ethics for both customers and employees.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Make Sure That Your Customer Journey Is Effortless]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/make-sure-that-your-customer-journey-is-effortless" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/make-sure-that-your-customer-journey-is-effortless</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[It’s worth remembering that a key measure of customer satisfaction is customer effort. This means that the easier it is for the customer to do business with you the better it is. Whether single channel, multi-channel or omni-channel the message is the same – easy and effortless means higher customer satisfaction.]]> </summary>   <updated>2020-03-14T19:14:40+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Go On - Make That Telephone Call...]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/go-on-make-that-telephone-call" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/go-on-make-that-telephone-call</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Go on. Make that telephone call. You may never know what magic you will discover and memories that you’ll create and treasure as a result.]]> </summary>   <updated>2020-04-21T21:11:01+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Relax - Customer Service Is Easy. Or Is It?]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/relax-customer-service-is-easy-or-is-it" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/relax-customer-service-is-easy-or-is-it</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[“Customer service is easy”, “There’s no real skill to customer service, you just have to be nice”. “Just treat customers how you’d like to be treated”. As a trainer at Beyond Theory, delivering courses on exceptional customer service, I’ve heard these words many times. So, if delivering customer service is so easy, then why are so many companies and organisations asking for our help?]]> </summary>   <updated>2020-05-01T12:06:40+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Stop Selling and Start Solving - but make sure you qualify the customer first]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/stop-selling-and-start-selling-but-make-sure-you-qualify-the-customer-first" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/stop-selling-and-start-selling-but-make-sure-you-qualify-the-customer-first</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[At Beyond Theory we believe in sales through service - an honest, thoughtful and ethical way of selling. We prefer to promote the idea of solving problems than selling. We call this our consultative selling approach.]]> </summary>   <updated>2020-06-02T15:23:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Enabling People Towards Their New Normal - Employee Engagement and Managing Change]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/employee-engagement-and-managing-change" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/employee-engagement-and-managing-change</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Using the enablers of engagement will help support your people to transition back to office life. As people begin to transition back to work in offices - albeit full time or in a blended approach - it's clearly important to make this as smooth a process as possible.]]> </summary>   <updated>2020-06-22T14:53:48+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[My Hopes and fears for the World of Work Post-Pandemic]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/hopes-and-fears-doe-the-world-of-work-post-pandemic" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/hopes-and-fears-doe-the-world-of-work-post-pandemic</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[You must be on another planet if you haven’t been impacted somehow by the Coronavirus pandemic. It has been said by many that the world will never be the same again. I have to agree. Not only for those who have sadly lost loved ones but for all aspects of our day to day lives. So, what does that mean for the younger generation in the world of work? As a student about to start my second year at University, here are my views.]]> </summary>   <updated>2020-08-01T09:02:04+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Customer Service and Covid-19 - 8 areas to focus on post-pandemic]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/customer-service-and-covid-19-8-areas-to-focus-on-post-pandemic" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/customer-service-and-covid-19-8-areas-to-focus-on-post-pandemic</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[A few weeks ago the Institute of Customer Service published their latest UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI). Understandably, the focus was on not only the impact of the pandemic but also what companies and organisations can do to respond. Here’s our take on their advice.]]> </summary>   <updated>2020-09-01T08:43:03+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[What is the best coaching question ever?]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/what-is-the-best-coaching-question-ever" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/what-is-the-best-coaching-question-ever</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[These days, coaching people at work ought to be an everyday occurrence. Why? Because most people want to come to work and be the best version of themselves. Coaching is a cost-effective way of improving everyone’s performance regardless of their abilities. Here's how to help make it work.]]> </summary>   <updated>2024-01-11T17:49:20+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Empathy - not tea and sympathy]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/empathy-not-tea-and-sympathy" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/empathy-not-tea-and-sympathy</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[We are all in the same storm. Although we’re in different boats we are all in the same storm. Pandemic, coronavirus, Covid-19, lockdown, recession – whichever label you give it, everyone has their own story. And we’re consistently told empathy’s what’s needed right now. Here's how to go about it.]]> </summary>   <updated>2020-11-03T14:44:42+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Managing Conflict at Work Positively]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-conflict-at-work-positively" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-conflict-at-work-positively</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[How well do we identify our conflict triggers and manage conflict in a positive way? You probably observe more negative ways of handling conflict than examples of when it being handled in a constructive way.]]> </summary>   <updated>2023-10-03T08:32:09+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Just Because You Can Doesn't Always Mean You Should]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/just-because-you-can-doesnt-mean-you-always-should" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/just-because-you-can-doesnt-mean-you-always-should</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Last January I delivered a keynote training session to a group of young managers from a wide range of companies and organisations. The session was called The Only Way Is Ethics and challenged thinking on a number of issues (you may even call them dilemmas) that they may face in their careers as business leaders. One year on, I’d like to challenge you views on what being an ethical leader really means.]]> </summary>   <updated>2021-01-24T20:18:45+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Become a coach rather than a critic]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/become-a-coach-rather-than-a-critic" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/become-a-coach-rather-than-a-critic</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[For those organisations who want a work culture where their people are truly engaged and focused on doing their best for themselves and their customers, then coaching is the way forward.]]> </summary>   <updated>2021-02-28T09:22:57+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[What to say when handling customer complaints]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/what-to-say-when-handling-customer-complaints" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/what-to-say-when-handling-customer-complaints</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[The journey that our customers make can be troublesome and have lots of touch points that potentially could go wrong. No matter how slick our processes, no matter how good our products and services may be, there is always a risk that something somewhere goes wrong. In summary, an intended wow! becomes an ouch! So how do we handle complaints when things don’t go according to plan? What can we say that will help solve the situation?]]> </summary>   <updated>2021-03-27T11:05:00+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The Benefits of Negative Feedback]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-benefits-of-negative-feedback" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-benefits-of-negative-feedback</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Negative feedback. Constructive feedback. Corrective feedback. Developmental feedback. Whichever name you give it, giving a team member the opportunity to improve should be welcomed and not avoided. Here's how to go about it.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Communication Skills - listen to what is not being said as well as what is being said]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/communication-skills-listen-to-what-is-not-being-said-as-well-as-what-is-being-said" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/communication-skills-listen-to-what-is-not-being-said-as-well-as-what-is-being-said</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[When we’re in a hurry we can take short cuts. Sometimes we can choose expediency over accuracy. It can be the same when we are communicating - even when we are not pressed for time - to get our message across. Whether in face-to-face meetings, by telephone, by email or any other method we can often miss things out. In fact, social media encourages us to act this way. Whatever communication method we choose it’s important to listen to what is not being said as well as what is being said.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-01-10T18:11:12+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Change Management - Winning Hearts and Minds]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/change-management-winning-hearts-and-minds" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/change-management-winning-hearts-and-minds</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Change rarely fails because it’s a bad idea. Change normally fails because it has been poorly implemented. Of course, change needs to be well planned. But it also needs to be positioned in a way that will be positive for those impacted. In other words, it is important to win hearts and minds.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The Power of T Thinking in Teamwork]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-power-of-t-in-teamwork" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-power-of-t-in-teamwork</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[So as organisations grow, what is needed across an organisation to avoid silo thinking? This question takes on even greater significance as organisations develop and split into different functional teams. The concept of T thinking provides a solution.]]> </summary>   <updated>2021-07-27T08:15:51+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Influencing others - when to push, when to pull and when to do neither]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/influencing-others-when-to-push-when-to-pull-and-when-to-do-neither" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/influencing-others-when-to-push-when-to-pull-and-when-to-do-neither</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Have you ever been in a meeting when you felt you weren’t getting where? Perhaps you were leading the meeting and people were failing to contribute. Or perhaps you have been able persuade others or maybe just unable to get people to listen to your point of view. This blog offers you some tools and techniques to enable you to influence others.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T17:08:25+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[How Increased Employee Engagement Enhances Cyber Security]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-increased-employee-engagement-enhances-cyber-security" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-increased-employee-engagement-enhances-cyber-security</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Beyond installing firewalls and protection software what else can business owners and managers do to protect themselves from hackers and those ever-so-sophisticated phishing emails? Our recommendation is to focus on increasing your levels of employee engagement.]]> </summary>   <updated>2021-09-27T21:27:16+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[How to Build Your Confidence at Work]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-build-your-confidence-at-work" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-build-your-confidence-at-work</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[‘Whether you can or whether you can't, you're right’. That’s a great quote as it focuses on the difference that having a positive attitude can make. But everything cannot be down to choosing the right attitude. You also need to have the opportunity to gain the relevant skills and knowledge to succeed. But confidence is necessary too. So how do we build our confidence at work?]]> </summary>   <updated>2021-10-31T21:45:51+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Top Tips for Running a 360 Degree Feedback Exercise]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/top-tips-on-running-a-360-degree-feedback-exercise" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/top-tips-on-running-a-360-degree-feedback-exercise</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Running a 360 degree exercise can be tricky. Run well, the benefits are enormous by identifying essential development opportunities for those involved. Run badly, they can be highly demotivating and overly bureaucratic.  Here are our top tips for making your 360 degree feedback exercises successful for individuals and organisations alike.]]> </summary>   <updated>2021-12-29T22:11:38+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Employee Engagement and Contingency Workers]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/employee-engagement-and-contingency-workers" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/employee-engagement-and-contingency-workers</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Whereas many organisations have employee engagement strategies, contingency workers, by definition, are not included as they are not employees. In summary contractors, agency workers etc. fall out of scope of employee engagement strategies. For example, they are not included in employee surveys.]]> </summary>   <updated>2022-01-30T14:02:07+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Problem Solving - Getting to the Root Cause]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/problem-solving-getting-to-the-root-cause" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/problem-solving-getting-to-the-root-cause</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[‘We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them’, said Albert Einstein. He also described Insanity as ‘doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.’. To solve problems then we need to get to the root cause. But how?]]> </summary>   <updated>2022-03-29T07:53:44+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Delivering the very best customer service means being organised and ready]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/delivering-the-very-best-customer-service-means-being-organised-prepared-and-ready" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/delivering-the-very-best-customer-service-means-being-organised-prepared-and-ready</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Current trends in customer service tell us that customer expectations are increasing. They are demanding a more personal service provided by knowledgeable, expert people. Here are our tips to help you coach your team members to be on top of their game.]]> </summary>   <updated>2022-03-26T20:49:32+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Recognition is important for us at Beyond Theory too - ILM Recognised training]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/recognition-is-important-for-us-at-beyond-theory-too" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/recognition-is-important-for-us-at-beyond-theory-too</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Earlier this year we achieved the new and highly regarded ILM Recognition status. So what does this mean for us our clients and, of course, our course participants?]]> </summary>   <updated>2022-04-16T11:51:33+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Time management means getting your priorities right]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/time-management-means-getting-your-priorities-right" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/time-management-means-getting-your-priorities-right</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[It is almost physically impossible to juggle more that 15 things at any one time. So when you get overloaded, what do you drop? Very often we can sacrifice things in our personal life such as family time or our personal development as work takes over. Here are our top tips to help you get your priorities into perspective.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Employee Engagement - Look After Your People And They Will Take Care Of Your Business]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/look-after-your-people-and-they-will-take-care-of-your-business" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/look-after-your-people-and-they-will-take-care-of-your-business</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Beyond Theory celebrates its 10 anniversary on 24 May 2022. Judith Halliday, editor of All Things Business magazine, recently caught up with Beyond Theory's director Paul Beesley to get his thoughts and insights on the importance of employee engagement.]]> </summary>   <updated>2022-05-11T09:50:33+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[What Employees Want From Their Managers]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/what-employees-want-from-their-managers" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/what-employees-want-from-their-managers</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Recent research published by consultancy Karian & Box points to four keys things that employees wan from their managers in 2022. This is not dissimilar to the wants and needs pre-pandemic but it seems that employees are becoming more choosey and less patient than ever. In a nutshell and with more job vacancies than people right now, if they don’t get what they want then they’re off to pastures new. Employee engagement remains as important as ever.]]> </summary>   <updated>2022-06-25T20:04:24+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[When it comes to communicating at work, you can have too much of a good thing.]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/strengths-versus-overdone-strengths-at-work-strength-deployment-inventory-sdi-20" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/strengths-versus-overdone-strengths-at-work-strength-deployment-inventory-sdi-20</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[We have been helping individuals and teams improve their ways of working for the part 10 years. One of our most popular personality profiling tools is the Strength Deployment Inventory – now known as the SDI 2.0. What we like about using the SDI 2.0 is that it lets us discover our overdone strengths as well as our strengths i.e. when and where we need to temper our approaches.]]> </summary>   <updated>2022-07-25T12:52:02+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Why having a MBTI debrief matters]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/why-having-a-mbti-debrief-matters" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/why-having-a-mbti-debrief-matters</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is recognised as being one of the world’s leading psychometric personality profiling tools. But taking the test is only half the story. Here’s why... ]]> </summary>   <updated>2022-08-30T09:44:22+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The Lifetime Value of a Customer]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/lifetime-value-of-a-customer" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/lifetime-value-of-a-customer</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[We often see and hear about customer service measures such as Net Promoter Score (NPS) and Customer Effort. But the key measure of the Lifetime Value of a Customer rarely gets a mention. Let’s put this right.]]> </summary>   <updated>2022-09-30T12:51:29+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Change Management and the SDI 2.0]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/change-management-and-the-sdi-20" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/change-management-and-the-sdi-20</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Leading people through change requires the ability to plan, and plan well. However, no change management will work effectively unless you win the hearts and minds of your people. This is where using the Strength Deployment Inventory (now known as the SDI 2.0) can help.]]> </summary>   <updated>2022-10-30T14:19:12+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Procrastination - two reasons why we do this and two tips on how to stop]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/procrastination-two-reasons-why-we-do-this-and-two-tips-on-how-to-stop" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/procrastination-two-reasons-why-we-do-this-and-two-tips-on-how-to-stop</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Procrastination – the art of putting something off until later or maybe forever. Let’s face it, many of us can be guilty of doing this for one reason or another. But have you ever stopped and thought why you procrastinate? In this blog article we offer two reasons why we procrastinate and two top tips on how to stop.]]> </summary>   <updated>2022-11-20T14:35:18+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Use storytelling to make your presentations even more engaging]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/use-storytelling-to-make-your-presentations-even-more-engaging" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/use-storytelling-to-make-your-presentations-even-more-engaging</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Sometimes presentations can be boring. This blog article will help you raise your ability to engage with your audience. We look at how storytelling can help you put your message across in a way that keeps your audience’s interest from start to finish.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The Importance of Pre- and Post-course briefings and how to undertake them]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-importance-of-pre-and-post-course-briefings" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-importance-of-pre-and-post-course-briefings</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Measuring the value of training has never been more important than now. Money is tight for everyone in business today, so making sure that learning is applied takes on greater significance. Pre- and post-course meetings play a key part in the process.]]> </summary>   <updated>2023-02-02T21:29:07+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Measuring Customer Service]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/measuring-customer-service" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/measuring-customer-service</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[You may spend a lot of time and money on training your people to deliver the very best customer service. However, unless you track and measure how your team are performing on customer service, you will never be able to find out if your spend has been a worthwhile investment. This blog offers you four options to measure your customer service levels. These measures can be applied at both team and organisational levels.]]> </summary>   <updated>2023-03-26T20:50:07+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Managing performance - how lead measures differ from lag measures]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-performance-how-lead-measures-differ-from-lag-measures" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-performance-how-lead-measures-differ-from-lag-measures</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[It is often said that, ‘If you cannot measure it, you cannot manage it’. But are you measuring the right things? When it comes to managing performance then this is a vital question. This blog article explores the value of lead measures.]]> </summary>   <updated>2023-03-27T07:13:49+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Belbin Team Roles - nobody is perfect but a team can be]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/belbin-team-roles" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/belbin-team-roles</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[There are numerous psychometrics and personality profiles available that focus on individual preferences and traits. However, there are not that many that focus on team profiles. This blog article focuses on one of these – the Belbin team roles.]]> </summary>   <updated>2023-08-21T15:44:22+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[How to build trust]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-build-trust" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-build-trust</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[We all know that trust is an important factor in any relationship that is to be sustainable. Trust builds commitment. It builds a bond. Trust is a two-way process. In this blog article we look at what’s necessary to make trust happen.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The Forgetting Curve - what is is and how our training helps you overcome it]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-forgetting-curve-what-is-is-and-how-our-training-helps-you-overcome-it" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-forgetting-curve-what-is-is-and-how-our-training-helps-you-overcome-it</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Have you ever returned from a training course, full of enthusiasm and wanting to make a difference to how things were before? And then life takes over. Things get so busy that you don’t have time to put your learning into practise. Before you know it, the things you learnt have disappeared from your consciousness. You’ve become another victim of the Forgetting Curve.]]> </summary>   <updated>2023-07-02T12:14:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[We judge ourselves by our intentions yet we judge others by their actions]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/we-judge-ourselves-by-our-intentions-yet-we-judge-others-by-their-actions" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/we-judge-ourselves-by-our-intentions-yet-we-judge-others-by-their-actions</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[“We judge ourselves by our intentions yet we judge others by their actions”. This is very often the case. This blog article explains why we do this and suggests ways that we can make a better judgement of other peoples' behaviours.]]> </summary>   <updated>2023-07-30T17:18:05+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Improving Relationships at Work and Beyond]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/improving-relationships-at-work-and-beyond" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/improving-relationships-at-work-and-beyond</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Have you ever thought about what makes a relationship work or not work? This short blog article helps you understand how your perceptions of the past, the present and the future can alter the course of a relationship.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-17T19:59:42+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Top Tips for Difficult Conversations]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/top-tips-for-difficult-conversations" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/top-tips-for-difficult-conversations</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Are you disappointed in a team members performance? Are you uncertain or even anxious about how to raise this with them? This blog article provides top tips on how to approach and undertake these difficult yet necessary conversations.]]> </summary>   <updated>2023-10-01T21:30:58+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The Four Levels of Listening]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-four-levels-of-listening" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-four-levels-of-listening</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Have you ever been in a meeting and felt you are not being listened to? Have you ever been coaching someone and been distracted? This blog article explores the four levels of listening as defined by academic and author Otto Sharmer.]]> </summary>   <updated>2023-11-05T20:44:14+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Why does change fail in organisations?]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/why-does-change-fail-in-organisations" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/why-does-change-fail-in-organisations</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[For the past 3 months we have been delivering a series of masterclasses themed on emotionally intelligent leadership. Our last masterclass focused on Managing the Human Side of Change. During this session, we asked each of the 23 managers taking part to vote on what they feel are the top three reasons why organisational change fails.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:54+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Four Ways of Building Trust]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/four-ways-of-building-trust" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/four-ways-of-building-trust</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[In a world where trust seems to be in short supply, knowing how to build and sustain trust is a good thing. Whether you work in a team, lead a team or rely on building relationships to sell your products and services, trust is important for sustainable business success.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-17T20:14:39+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[How to ask deeper and more meaningful questions to gain greater understanding]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-ask-deeper-and-more-meaningful-questions-to-gain-greater-understanding" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-ask-deeper-and-more-meaningful-questions-to-gain-greater-understanding</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[An earlier blog article focused on the four levels of listening. This blog provides help, advice and insight on how to ask even better questions. This will help you gain empathy and also get you to a place where you can help others, through better understanding. This is essential when providing feedback and coaching.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-08-29T17:33:18+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The more subtle forms of harassment and bullying at work]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-more-subtle-forms-of-harassment-and-bullying-at-work" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-more-subtle-forms-of-harassment-and-bullying-at-work</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Most people can easily recognise the more obvious forms of harassment and bullying at work. But what about the more subtle forms of harassment and bullying that can take place in a work environment?]]> </summary>   <updated>2024-12-24T09:58:11+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Be even smarter with your SMART goal setting]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/be-even-smarter-with-your-smart-goal-setting" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/be-even-smarter-with-your-smart-goal-setting</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Leadership is very much about setting goals, the direction your team is going in and pace of change that is needed to succeed. The need to set clear goals, that are understood by your team, is an imperative. Although you may be already familiar with using the SMART acronym when setting goals, this blog explores how to set even smarter goals that take into account team members’ motivations.]]> </summary>   <updated>2024-04-01T21:04:02+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Beyond Theory is now accredited by the Institute of Leadership]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/beyond-theory-is-now-accredited-by-the-institute-of-leadership" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/beyond-theory-is-now-accredited-by-the-institute-of-leadership</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Beyond Theory was created in 2012. Two years later we decided to become accredited by ILM. After 10 years of successfully delivering numerous leadership & management courses that have been accredited with ILM, we have decided to switch to the Institute of Leadership as our accreditation partner.]]> </summary>   <updated>2024-04-28T14:54:21+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Integrity at work - what does this mean?]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/integrity-at-work-what-does-this-mean" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/integrity-at-work-what-does-this-mean</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Integrity is a word often used by organisations as a company value. But was does this word mean? This blog article explores what integrity means in an organisational and leadership context.]]> </summary>   <updated>2024-06-19T22:20:03+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The current trend in employee engagement in the UK]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-current-trend-in-employee-engagement-in-the-uk" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-current-trend-in-employee-engagement-in-the-uk</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Earlier this month the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) published its latest Good Work Index Report. This report is produced annually and is the recognised benchmark for good work, or job quality, in the United Kingdom (UK). This blog article looks at one key aspect of the report i.e., the current trend in employee engagement in the UK.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-01-25T10:44:01+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Curiosity is a key leadership capability and organisational value]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/curiosity-is-a-key-value-and-leadership-capability" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/curiosity-is-a-key-value-and-leadership-capability</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[When working with companies and organisations we are often asked to help develop or comment on their values and leadership capabilities. Of course, words such as integrity, collaboration and customer-focus feature and why wouldn’t they? However, I am consistently surprised how often curiosity is not included. This blog argues why curiosity needs to be considered.]]> </summary>   <updated>2024-07-29T21:59:23+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Time management tips - being busy is not the same as being productive]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/time-management-tips-being-busy-is-not-the-same-as-being-productive" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/time-management-tips-being-busy-is-not-the-same-as-being-productive</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Being busy is not the same as being productive. If we are not careful, we can easily slip into bad habits that can make us ‘busy fools’. This blog article provides time management tips to enable you to be as productive as possible at work.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-01-25T10:43:20+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Why being a situational leader works so well]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/why-being-a-situational-leader-works-so-well" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/why-being-a-situational-leader-works-so-well</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Have you ever experienced being micro-managed? Or perhaps being left alone when you didn’t know what to do. May be you’ve felt stifled or even patronised by your manager. These are traits of a manager who could benefit from becoming a situational leader i.e. providing the style of leadership you need rather than the style they prefer.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-13T16:37:55+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Beware of toxic positivity]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/beware-of-toxic-positivity" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/beware-of-toxic-positivity</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[As human beings, feeling good is very important to us. It gives us energy, that feel good factor and increased self-esteem. But we also need to be aware of being too positive and be alert to the dangers of toxic positivity.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-01-25T10:42:24+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Dealing with passive-aggressive behaviour]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/dealing-with-passive-aggressive-behaviour" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/dealing-with-passive-aggressive-behaviour</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Passive-aggressive is nasty. It’s underhand and destructive. But it‘s one thing being on the receiving end of passive-aggressive behaviour and another thing dealing with it. This blog article offers advice on how to spot passive aggressive behaviour and how to deal with it.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-01-25T10:40:07+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Unlocking the potential of ADHD in the workplace: why business leaders should consider ADHD training]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/unlocking-the-potential-of-adhd-in-the-workplace-why-business-leaders-should-consider-adhd-training" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/unlocking-the-potential-of-adhd-in-the-workplace-why-business-leaders-should-consider-adhd-training</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Understanding ADHD in the workplace is an essential component of leading diverse, innovative, and resilient teams. ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition often associated with impulsivity and distractibility, but those with ADHD also bring unique strengths that, when supported, can provide unique value to a business. Learning to manage and support employees with ADHD can open up pathways for fresh ideas, new perspectives, and creative problem-solving.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-01-25T10:41:39+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[How to give bad news]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-give-bad-news" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-give-bad-news</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[We have all been there. Whether as a manager working with a team member, as someone dealing with a customer, as a family member needing to raise something with a loved one or maybe just as a friend. The context doesn’t matter, but how we deliver bad news really does. This blog article provides a very useful tip on how to give someone some bad news.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-17T20:08:09+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Understanding the difference between OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators)]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/understanding-the-difference-between-okrs-objectives-and-key-results-and-kpis-key-performance-indicators" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/understanding-the-difference-between-okrs-objectives-and-key-results-and-kpis-key-performance-indicators</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Managing performance can sometimes have a language of its own. It’s important to make sure that all of your team are on the same page. This blog article explains the difference between OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) and KPIs (Key Performance Indicators).]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-03-05T07:46:50+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Top tips for telephone skills]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/top-tips-for-telephone-skills" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/top-tips-for-telephone-skills</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Our experience when delivering customer service training tells us that telephone handling skills are on the decline. Whether making outgoing calls or receiving incoming calls we find that employees lack confidence, skills and knowledge to make and receive calls effectively. This blog article provides top tips to help address this shortfall.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-17T20:11:20+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Time Management - Use the Pareto Principle to Prioritise Your Priorities]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/time-management-use-the-pareto-principle-to-prioritise-your-priorities" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/time-management-use-the-pareto-principle-to-prioritise-your-priorities</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Time is often what we want more of, yet it is often the thing that slips through our fingers the quickest. We are often told that time is money. Customers seem to want things yesterday. Our bosses often want more from less. So how do we cope? When everything seems to be a priority how do we prioritise what needs to be done first?  This blog article answers this question, by applying the Pareto Principle to time management.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-17T20:02:10+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Top tips on how to run an effective meeting]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/top-tips-on-how-to-run-an-effective-meeting" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/top-tips-on-how-to-run-an-effective-meeting</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[I am sure that you have sat in a meeting wondering why you are there. Or perhaps you’ve been in a meeting where the communication is one-way, where you don’t understand what’s going on and it’s highly likely that most other people in the same meeting feel the same way. Or perhaps you have been frustrated about how poorly the meeting has been organised. This blog article will help stop you making the same mistakes for when you come to run your own meetings.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-06-17T19:52:04+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Managing your unconscious bias: A leadership imperative]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-your-unconscious-bias-a-leadership-imperative" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/managing-your-unconscious-bias-a-leadership-imperative</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[In today’s increasingly diverse and interconnected world, effective leadership demands more than strategic thinking and technical prowess. It requires a deep commitment to self-awareness, fairness, and inclusion. This blog article focuses on the need for leaders to be aware of and manage their unconscious bias.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-07-05T11:20:32+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Why your Cost-Income Ratio matters: measuring efficiency in your business]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/why-your-cost-income-ratio-matters" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/why-your-cost-income-ratio-matters</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[In the business world, owners and managers are always on the lookout for ways to make things run smoother and earn more money. One thing that often gets overlooked is the important of cost-income ratio (CIR). This blog article explains the why, how and what about CIR.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-07-05T11:27:20+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[What is the best approach to designing organisational values - top down or bottom up?]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/designing-organisational-values-top-down-or-bottom-up" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/designing-organisational-values-top-down-or-bottom-up</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Organisational values can be described as the DNA of an organisation. It’s a delicate process requiring strategic thinking, deep engagement and alignment with the organisation’s purpose. This blog article offers guidance and advice on how this can be successfully achieved.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-07-28T10:36:57+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[How to embed values within your organisation]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-effectively-embed-values-within-your-organisation" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-effectively-embed-values-within-your-organisation</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Organisational values aren’t just words on a wall or on a website. They are the compass that guides behaviour, decisions, and the overall workplace culture. But too often, values are introduced with enthusiasm only to fade into the background. 

So how do you embed values in a way that sticks and truly transforms your workplace culture? 

Here’s our strategic guide to embedding values across your organisation in a meaningful and sustainable way.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-08-14T08:37:50+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[The Business Case for Emotional Intelligence at Work]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-business-case-for-emotional-intelligence-at-work" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/the-business-case-for-emotional-intelligence-at-work</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognise and manage emotions in oneself and others. It has emerged as a top predictor of workplace success. Read more to understand why.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-10-01T14:58:37+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Best Practise for Effective One-to-One Meetings with Team Members]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/best-practise-for-effective-one-to-one-meetings-with-team-members" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/best-practise-for-effective-one-to-one-meetings-with-team-members</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[One-to-one meetings are one of the most powerful tools in a manager’s toolkit. They offer a rare space for undivided attention, candid conversation, and meaningful connection between a manager and a team member. When done well, they can improve performance, strengthen trust and boost wellbeing. When done poorly, however, they can feel like a tick-box exercise. Even worse, become a source of stress for the team member.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-10-02T08:19:19+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Tips and techniques for creative thinking at work]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/tips-and-techniques-for-using-creative-thinking-at-work" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/tips-and-techniques-for-using-creative-thinking-at-work</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Creativity at work doesn’t happen by accident. It can be cultivated and strengthened using proven techniques that guide teams to think beyond the obvious. In this blog article, we explore how to use creative thinking techniques effectively in a work environment. We also provide practical examples and advice for embedding them into everyday practice.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-11-03T09:19:32+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[How to Conduct an Effective Return-to-Work Interview]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-conduct-an-effective-return-to-work-interview" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-conduct-an-effective-return-to-work-interview</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[This blog article explores best practice for conducting return-to-work interviews, balancing empathy and emotional intelligence with the need for fair process and clear expectations.]]> </summary>   <updated>2025-10-13T08:42:33+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Why customer excellence depends on engaged people and high engagement depends on great leadership and management]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/why-customer-excellence-depends-on-engaged-people-and-high-engagement-depends-on-great-leadership-and-management" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/why-customer-excellence-depends-on-engaged-people-and-high-engagement-depends-on-great-leadership-and-management</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[‘Look after your people and they will take care of your business’. This is not just our ideology; evidence shows it makes business sense. This blog article explains why, highlighting the impact that good leadership and management has on employee engagement, and how this influences customer experience.]]> </summary>   <updated>2026-03-31T11:44:55+01:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Top tips for managing a project at work]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/top-tips-for-managing-a-project-at-work" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/top-tips-for-managing-a-project-at-work</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[This blog article provides practical, experience-based tips to help you manage your work projects effectively without drowning in unnecessary templates, jargon or bureaucracy.]]> </summary>   <updated>2026-01-22T16:49:55+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[How to choose the right psychometric test or personality profiling tool to use]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-psychometric-test-or-personality-profiling-tool" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-psychometric-test-or-personality-profiling-tool</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[In a world where recruiting and employee development decisions carry significant strategic impact, psychometric tests and personality profiling tools have become powerful instruments. When used correctly, they help predict performance, enhance team fit, improve leadership development and strengthen workforce planning. But choose the wrong tool, i.e. one that’s unreliable or lacks scientific credibility, and you risk making biased decisions, misleading candidates and undermining trust.]]> </summary>   <updated>2026-02-17T10:48:25+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[A model for personal change]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/a-model-for-personal-change" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/a-model-for-personal-change</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[In today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving workplace, the ability to adapt, grow and support others through change is now a defining capability of effective managers and leaders. While many training and coaching approaches focus on behaviours or performance outcomes, deeper and more sustainable change often requires a more structured understanding of how people think, believe and identify themselves.]]> </summary>   <updated>2026-03-27T14:54:48+00:00</updated> </entry>  <entry> <title><![CDATA[Dignity at Work: why It matters more than ever in today’s workplace]]></title> <link rel="alternate" href="https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/dignity-at-work-why-it-matters-more-than-ever-in-todays-workplace" /> <id>https://beyondtheory.co.uk/blog/dignity-at-work-why-it-matters-more-than-ever-in-todays-workplace</id> <author> <name><![CDATA[Beyond Theory]]></name>  </author> <summary type="html"> <![CDATA[Dignity at work is not a new concept, but it has never been more important, or more firmly embedded in UK employment law, than it is today. In a time defined by heightened awareness of workplace culture, inclusion, and employee wellbeing, dignity at work has evolved from a moral aspiration into a legal and organisational imperative.]]> </summary>   <updated>2026-04-07T11:21:20+01:00</updated> </entry>  </feed>