<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Erik Thorén]]></title><description><![CDATA[Erik is passionate about understanding people's behaviors, especially in more complex situations]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/insight-research</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 22:17:50 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.eriksthoren.se/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[The 80/20 Rule Isn’t Enough – Transforming Your Salesforce Into a High‑Performance Team]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Pareto principle (“20 % of reps produce 80 % of results”) is ingrained in sales culture. But current research suggests an even...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/the-80-20-rule-isn-t-enough-transforming-your-salesforce-into-a-high-performance-team</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68b8603e11594bbaf4e2db7a</guid><pubDate>Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:42:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_377843f635844b75adf0b08f65573ec0~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_600,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Good vs Great Leaders?]]></title><description><![CDATA[It’s tempting to think it’s all about experience, charisma, or even having the “right answers.” But the research — and the best sales directors I’ve worked with — show something different. Here are a few habits that keep showing up: 1️⃣ They coach more than they control. Great leaders don’t just sit behind dashboards and track KPIs. They spend time with  their reps — listening to calls, giving feedback, asking questions that spark reflection. This is what real Guided Development  looks like:...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/good-vs-great-leaders</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68afe80d5af02259b1268cb9</guid><pubDate>Thu, 28 Aug 2025 05:57:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_6af2227599814d258c33ef116ad3d906~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Coaching, Feedback, Mentoring… all part of Guided Development]]></title><description><![CDATA[We often hear these terms used as if they’re the same thing. But they’re not.  Coaching  = asking questions that unlock someone’s own thinking.  Feedback  = holding up a mirror with your observations.  Mentoring  = sharing your experience to guide someone else. They each serve a different purpose. And that difference matters. Here’s the catch: too many leaders mix them up in the same conversation. You start with coaching (“What do you think you should do?”)… but two minutes later you’re...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/coaching-feedback-mentoring-all-part-of-guided-development</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ab5ebd07451e29b69e86bd</guid><pubDate>Sun, 24 Aug 2025 18:52:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_af6985035c164a0fbd70a317e9c92f22~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_502,h_646,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Let’s talk about the real growth engine in sales: Leadership.]]></title><description><![CDATA[You can have a solid strategy. You can have talented salespeople. You can have the latest tools, dashboards, and AI-driven forecasts. But...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/let-s-talk-about-the-real-growth-engine-in-sales-leadership</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6883248924b9ed0d8c617b54</guid><pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2025 07:33:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_6ca2491a1596412c9ce55d4eeb7c1138~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What does it take to create growth across EMEA?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Having worked across key markets in EMEA like the Nordics, Germany, Benelux, Italy, and France, one thing becomes clear:  The markets...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/what-does-it-take-to-create-growth-across-emea</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68831f99251a639c148bae26</guid><pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2025 06:14:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_46143a27201c4aee8e341b0f82684204~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Do you want to create growth? Then the sales organization must be organized for that.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Many companies talk about growth, but far too few have built a sales organization that actually enables  it.  Instead, we often see the...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/do-you-want-to-create-growth-then-the-sales-organization-must-be-organized-for-that</link><guid isPermaLink="false">687b398dc6f3c530271f5bc4</guid><pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2025 06:22:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_b7e77f11083c41cd8bd1952a027d5299~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_769,h_669,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Negotiation: It's not you – it's your brain.]]></title><description><![CDATA[A pretty good way to explain why some negotiations don't quite go as hoped. -You were right about the paper. -Your offer made sense. -But...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/negotiation-it-s-not-you-it-s-your-brain</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6878a0b76a39dc10d759500e</guid><pubDate>Thu, 17 Jul 2025 07:05:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_07dd4eb5d0124c53bca91eb4d5bc51dc~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why most companies fail in creating a Learning Organizations (And what to do instead)]]></title><description><![CDATA[In today’s fast-moving world, the ability to learn faster than your competitors  may be your only sustainable competitive advantage. ...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/why-most-companies-fail-in-creating-a-learning-organizations-and-what-to-do-instead</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68774d1ed79bbab9566c878b</guid><pubDate>Wed, 16 Jul 2025 07:10:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_a4525892f6524eaf92686b2f66c81ae4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Personal leadership in the management team – the foundation for direction, trust and courageous conversations]]></title><description><![CDATA[The management team sets the tone for the entire organization. But one crucial factor is often forgotten:  The personal leadership of...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/personal-leadership-in-the-management-team-the-foundation-for-direction-trust-and-courageous-conv</link><guid isPermaLink="false">687673fabfb08cd3c4b0ef96</guid><pubDate>Tue, 15 Jul 2025 15:31:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_ef8af6f7f455458495b94b26a56d49f8~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Are your Sales Managers measured on how well they grow their people – or just how much they sell?]]></title><description><![CDATA[In many sales organizations, the KPIs are crystal clear: hit the number, manage the forecast, close the quarter. But here’s the question:...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/are-your-sales-managers-measured-on-how-well-they-grow-their-people-or-just-how-much-they-sell</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68749d7c97051c95031aed8f</guid><pubDate>Mon, 14 Jul 2025 06:05:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_dcaf4e7482084505ac69977e12a98b35~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Your communication skills are crucial for personal leadership]]></title><description><![CDATA[Meetings with people are a central part of personal leadership. But how many meetings actually end with clear progress, insights or...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/your-communication-skills-are-crucial-for-personal-leadership</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67654f1160fcf0c29b171cd5</guid><pubDate>Fri, 20 Dec 2024 11:03:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_0d5c9bf36d2645eb85f46a0ee1928665~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Power of Training – There are No Silver Bullets]]></title><description><![CDATA[When we think about excellence, whether in sports or business, one thing is clear: "Talent alone isn’t enough" It’s training and...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/the-power-of-training-there-are-no-silver-bullets</link><guid isPermaLink="false">675c33bb3ee299bac70f1aaa</guid><pubDate>Fri, 13 Dec 2024 13:25:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_db43260f814d41929b2c1434900fd0a5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Measure if You Are a Learning Organization!]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Benefits of Being a Learning Organization There are several benefits of being a learning organization, but  how could you measure and...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/how-to-measure-if-you-are-a-learning-organization</link><guid isPermaLink="false">674abacd9d22fccb5061ea36</guid><pubDate>Sat, 30 Nov 2024 07:18:44 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_9f0398ba06024edaaadb8c388318ccf4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_506,h_428,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What is a learning organisation?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Peter Senge’s The Fifth Discipline  outlines five disciplines essential for developing a learning organization. Organizations that embed...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/what-is-a-learning-organisation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">674ab964d536db5bba7e66cb</guid><pubDate>Sat, 30 Nov 2024 07:11:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_b3ff7e54d676409dac69c3bf4300110f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_215,h_325,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sales Leadership in Tough Times: Standing Strong in the Headwind ]]></title><description><![CDATA[In uncertain economic climates, many sales leaders face greater challenges than ever. After more than 20 years in the industry, I have...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/sales-leadership-in-tough-times-standing-strong-in-the-headwind</link><guid isPermaLink="false">671ea1aa99ab8a234056bf0c</guid><pubDate>Sun, 27 Oct 2024 20:25:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_6200277c782d414b8f5f27b6ff962e4f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Solo selling vs. Team selling - when is it right to choose what?]]></title><description><![CDATA[In sales, there are no universal solutions that work in all situations. Something I have learned over the years is that the choice...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/solo-selling-vs-team-selling-when-is-it-right-to-choose-what</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67112a5af4c1eced22eac229</guid><pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2024 15:16:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_e2b6165410614c818d50a6371dba414e~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_672,h_180,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Relationship Depth and Psychological Safety - The Key to Successful Teams]]></title><description><![CDATA[In today's fast-paced work environment, successful teams not only have strong technical skills, but are also built on a deep...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/relationship-depth-and-psychological-safety-the-key-to-successful-teams</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6711298888b27bd736aa98ca</guid><pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2024 15:13:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_0e27ea849dd5425a92985e59185ddd98~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_504,h_422,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Could sales research from 100 years ago still be valid today?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Ever wondered if great salespeople are born or made? According to Edward E. King, a pioneering figure in sales, mastery in sales is...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/insight-on-sales-from-100-years-ago-by-edward-e-king</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6705a642a120d63de449d0e0</guid><pubDate>Tue, 08 Oct 2024 21:44:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_2b6d3b027ce24e06bba34e4dd618693f~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_486,h_646,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Relationship Depth – A Key to Success in Organizations, by Anders Wendelheim]]></title><description><![CDATA[In today’s work environment, it’s increasingly important to focus not only on results and efficiency but also on how we build and...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/relationship-depth-a-key-to-success-in-organizations-by-anders-wendelheim</link><guid isPermaLink="false">670569371181f21ca8dca9eb</guid><pubDate>Tue, 08 Oct 2024 21:32:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_4ddf2e4e6ab54f9fb670ad3882d5131d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Psychology of Selling and Advertising – A Milestone in Sales and Marketing from 1925 ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Did you know that many of the techniques we use today in sales and marketing are rooted in research from the 1920s? "The Psychology of...]]></description><link>https://www.eriksthoren.se/en/post/the-psychology-of-selling-and-advertising-a-milestone-in-sales-and-marketing-from-1925</link><guid isPermaLink="false">670565efa120d63de448f5d6</guid><pubDate>Tue, 08 Oct 2024 17:06:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/009af9_085eed451c8f465abad66cd82059b865~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_257,h_300,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Erik Thorén</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>