Think Beyond Business & Marketing Podcast

After 10 successful episodes, we tackle the world of customer advocacy - specifically, how they are generated by exceptional customer experiences. In episode 11, we hear from an expert in customer advocacy, with guest speaker Umesh Patel. Umesh is formerly of Fujitsu as Head of Global Customer Reference Programme and is now of Commvault as Director of Global Customer Advocacy and Reference Programme. So, why not listen to how to generate the best customer advocacy, some do's and don'ts as well as how his MBA researched changing customer buying habits.

Episode 10 sees us tackle business change, looking at what real transformation means, the importance of strategic planning and how to get the best outcomes at board level. Breaking with tradition, this time our interviewer gets interviewed! Steven gave up the mic and sat in the hot seat this time.

As a management consultancy with a firm focus on private sector business, we get the chance to see and hear some diverse opinions on planning and change. Steven comments that, "Investors can see that cost reduction, efficiency gains or merger and acquisition synergies are short to medium-term benefits that will run out eventually.” So, we ask, "Are we shying away from real transformation?" "Are we taking shortcuts with long-term business planning?" Find out now.

"If we don’t go through things, where’s our story?"

Welcome to the ninth episode of our podcast series looking at business topics that matter to you. With the help of Antoinette Hewitt, CEO of property investment business, Alux-Living, we tackle the subject of women in business and balancing family with company. In an open and honest discussion, Antoinette covers the challenges she has faced, why she got into business and some tips for would-be business owners. We are really excited to interview Antoinette and share some of her inspiring story with you.

Think Beyond is a management consultancy working in the corporate sector, based in Knutsford, Cheshire.

Alux-Living is a one-stop property investment hub for legacy creation, also based in Knutsford, Cheshire.

Welcome to our first podcast of 2022! So, it’s a Happy New Year from us and another tantalising glimpse into what matters to business. Without further ado, we commence episode 8 of 12 with how good companies give back and create social value. To assist us in the discussion, we bring you a leading light in the North West business community. Thank you to Claire Ebrey for making this topic real and helping us to do it justice.

Claire runs a consultancy called On the Level and she consults on responsible, diverse and sustainable business. Additionally, Claire works on issues relating to the North West as part of the levelling up agenda. She has also assisted the Black United Representation Network (BURN), Stockport Race Equality Partnership (STREP) and The Good Board.

From her early days in the Co-op to Regional Director of The Institute of Directors North West, Claire has now taken on many board and advisory roles supporting leadership, diversity and sustainability. As an adopted Mancunian, heralding from the historic Coventry, Claire is a passionate supporter of Manchester’s diverse communities.

Welcome to the new and improved Think Beyond Business and Marketing Podcast! Join us as we welcome the wonderful Monica Mwanje of MM Creative Solutions to discussion meaningful diversity and inclusion in business.

This is another topic that is important to us and we analyse what good looks like through to why there is so little action in some businesses and how to improve it.

Listen in as we get to know a little bit about Monica and one interesting fact about her that took us by surprise!

We are at the halfway point in our series with episode 6 of our podcast. Having hurdled over some interesting topics from social responsibility to customer experience, this time we tackle leadership. With help from a very special guest, Paul Raisbeck, a former commanding officer in the Royal Navy, we discuss the tension between dynamic and planned leadership. Listen to what he has to say and see if you can identify the famous people behind some intriguing leadership quotes.

Episode 5 features a star in UK marketing. As the role of Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) gets ever more complex, we ask the Global Deputy CMO of Atos what today's CMO needs to succeed. Atos is a global multinational organisation and a leader in secure and de-carbonised digital services. Cat Dutton is responsible for UK marketing at Atos, leading a 160-strong marketing function including centres of excellence.

For budding marketers, ambitious marketers or those already at senior level, there are plenty of insights and fun exchanges.

Podcast episode 4 is upon us and this time we have an extra-special treat. Following on from talks about customer experience and marketing alignment we have social responsibility. We were keen to discuss this important topic following a pandemic that has affected so many. Ultimately, there was only one person we were going to turn to that could do this topic justice.

Sharon Amesu is a former barrister, the founder of SA Consulting – a Leadership Development Consultancy, a leadership and inclusion strategist and the co-founder of She Leads for Legacy which looks at how organisational leaders should respond to racism. Sharon is a keynote and motivational speaker, leadership coach and business leader. Sharon is a member of the North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) engaged in the levelling up agenda. She also sits on the board of the The Hallé orchestra and The Good Employment Charter for Greater Manchester.

Sharon also spoke at the July 2021 TEDx Talk in Northwich on ‘Why we should all think like an ancestor’.

Hot on the heels of our last episode on CX, we get input from Dan Greenall, Marketing Director at Sorted. We ask the question on how where marketers align themselves can make all the difference. Is it with sales? Is it with finance? Will the answer altogether surprise you? Tune in as we hear some compelling insights from an experienced B2B senior marketer working for one of the hottest technology businesses in the UK right now.

The second Think Beyond Marketing Talk podcast features a fabulous guest in the form of Karen Gilbert, Head of Marketing at Embrace Digital. We ask what we can do to improve customer experience from a marketing perspective. Here, we explore what CX is, how businesses have adapted during the pandemic, what more can be done and how marketers can get more involved.

The Think Beyond Marketing Talk podcast focuses on hot issues that are relevant to today’s marketers. Tune in as we mix a blend of fabulous special guests and thought-provoking topics to inspire both B2B and B2C audiences. We are planning 12 episodes in total so don’t miss out and have a listen!