Derek
Carpenter – A True Entrepreneur
When its suggested to Derek Carpenter
that he is Barnsley’s best known Business Solutions Specialist ,he says “that’s
very flattering but fairly unrealistic” and then laughs.
He has a very disarming sense of humour
but a close look at his career reveals a steely determination and outstanding
success.
Born in Nottingham, brought up in
Lancashire and settling in Yorkshire in 1992 it seems fair to wonder where he
thinks his roots are?
“Business has seen me travel the world
and settle in a number of places but if roots are where you feel at your best
and at home then Barnsley has become that for me. I have come to love the town
because of the people and because of their sense of hospitality, they have
taken to me”.
As he expresses his love affair with
Barnsley there is genuine warmth.
His background is in specialist sales
with a chemical background. He was General Sales Manager for a chemical and
polymer company based in Dewsbury for fifteen years and he went on to establish
an American company from nothing to a European brand leader within three years
in his role as a Director.
He qualified as a Chartered Marketer
and served as the SME Ambassador for Yorkshire and the North East on behalf of
the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
It’s clear that he is a giver to the
community, having served as a Governor for Barnsley College, Barnsley Hospital,
been the elected Vice President of Barnsley and Rotherham Chamber of Commerce
and served as a Director of Barnsley Development Agency.
It’s obvious that he is an advocate of
most things being possible and has been described as a “natural problem
solver”.
Reflecting his
Philosophy Derek says:
“It’s probably
fair to say I am not conventional. Sales and Marketing often find themselves in
“opposition” within Companies but they work best when adding both
strengths within a business. Good listening skills and the ability to
communicate effectively are at the heart of real success. Outward confidence is
little use if we have poor Inner skills. All of us learn from each other and
the best listeners, those who will try a new approach before rejecting it, are
the ones who get the best success and enjoy what they do. I spend a lot of time
encouraging people to “think” and adapt Ideas to their own personality. In the
end things only happen for people if they are proactive as opposed to reactive.
A transfer of knowledge is vital to any business for its future success and it
often begins with an idea that springs from nothing. Knowledge is the best
Investment because it produces the highest return for everyone”.
Interestingly one
of His ideas is benefitting local Company Doyle Security of Dodworth and
engaging Students in Schools and Colleges across the Borough.
Barnsley will
soon have a SuperHero to enhance the Branding at Doyle.
“The best ideas
often spring from nowhere and given the Security connection and the style of
the Company Logo it immediately struck me that everyone could benefit from a
SuperHero. Using Students to offer designs feels rewarding because they get
engaged in using creative skills. All age groups have got involved. The main
prize is an ipad and a special day behind the scenes at Barnsley FC on April 5th
2014 when the Visitors are Brighton. The prizewinner is introduced to the crowd
and then Doyle SuperHero is unveiled in full costume of the winning design. The
judging is finalized at the end of February”.
There is no
disputing a very clever idea and Derek describes it as “illustrating a
different approach to Marketing”.
“The Branding and
Fun value is limitless” He says with satisfaction.
Looking at His
LinkedIn Business Profile reveals lists of great tributes to His skills and His
unselfish approach to helping others.
LinkedIn confirm His
Profile is in the top 10% viewed and that’s amazing given over 225 Million People
use LinkedIn worldwide.
It’s not hard to
see why people enjoy working with Him and His commitment to Barnsley and beyond
could never be in doubt.
He is the
ultimate “people person” who places the interests of others as one of His
priorities.
Twitter is alive
with such confirmations too.
Years of
practical experience enable Derek to advise Companies on their strategy and
implementation. He is a business coach, mentor and hugely advocates supporting
staff to fulfill their potential.
How do companies
take to independent advice?
“Largely, they
see from the evidence that I have identified their strengths and weaknesses but
of course a few find it hard to acknowledge any need for changes. The ones who
accept advice are the ones who succeed”.
He is well known
around Town, at locations like Holiday Inn and Ardsley House Hotel for talks to
business and will shotly address Students at Hoizon Community College in a "Business Workshop" to help them prepare for the future.
Many Companies
and individuals have testified to his willingness to offer an idea or
encouragement for no other reason than feeling it contributes to the well being
of Barnsley.
Of late, a number
of local companies have encouraged him to think about joining them on a
permanent basis to ensure growth and stability but not unexpectedly He says “It
will need to be a challenge where I can make a difference and the people will
need to have a positive approach to goals”.
Responding to the
idea that his long career makes him well qualified to support local needs, he
laughs again and says “Is that your way of telling me I am long in the tooth?”
It’s certainly
fair to say that Derek is highly regarded for the skills he teaches and even if
he is reluctant to agree, Barnsley can be grateful for his support and impact
in adding to a local success story.
It’s a model that
others might seek to follow.
Derek is reluctant
to see himself as a Barnsley Best but there’s no doubting he wants the Best for
Barnsley.
For
more background information see:
Twitter: @barnsleytown
