Member Article

Office space in Leeds: Inside Carrwood Park

Carrwood Park offers first class office space and services for businesses in Yorkshire. The family business is owned by Mr John Wilson and managed by his son, Oliver Corrigan. We spoke to Oliver about the day to day running and growing of a business in an already competative market.

1. Sum up your business model in a couple of lines.

At Carrwood Park we develop space from the ground up to create inspirational working environments for customers and then offer a first class service in managing them. We create a place where people want to come and work as well as enhance company productivity.

2. What’s the best decision you’ve made so far?

The best decision we made as a business was to not only to build the offices at top spec but to develop the business ourselves and continue to manage them. It has been great to build the Carrwood brand and develop further the high standard that we feel so passionate to deliver.

3. What key challenges has your company recently faced?

Like any business the recession has been the biggest challenge over the last couple of years. We have come out stronger and learnt that our customer focussed attitude is not just a success because we survived as a small fish in a large pond, but has also given us confidence to keep growing. We survived because we spared no expense on customer service and managed our growth effectively.

We honestly face challenges every day because we are a continually growing company who desires to grow and do things better.

4. What is your biggest achievement over the past 12 months?

The biggest achievement over the last 12 months is how much we have actually grown. Growth in size as well as our effectiveness as a team. Three years ago we got our first sale without my involvement; we were a semi effective group of people going for similar goals. Now we are working more and more as a team. The 360 degree approach to the business and developing the team to manage business without me is increasing and improving literally every week.

5. What is your focus for the coming year, and what do you hope to achieve?

Next year I will be mainly focussing on developing our team even further. We still have a way to go and we are continuing to strive for perfection – as a team.

6. If you had to choose one top piece of advice for someone just starting out in business, or is currently operating within your industry sector, what would it be?

The only advice I have for any company is ‘focus on the customer.’

7. Can you share with us your view of the current landscape of business, in your region or generally, and where your organisation sits within it?

This is quite a difficult question. We are still coming out of recession as a whole. I think there is a lot of talk about being out of it but I still think we have a way to go. London is booming, certain industries are booming. Emerging from a recession Carrwood has become a serious alternative for traditional leased space. We are a professional base for companies and save them money through providing the service as well as just the product.

8. What do you wish you’d known when starting out?

When I started I wish I had known to have more confidence in people but to be more scrutinous when hiring. I would tell myself or any company to invest in training. Train by continually focussing your business. Developing your staffs strengths and interests by using them.

9. What other business idea are you most envious of?

I am most envious of Amazon. They not only sell to a customer 24/7 but they have also shown the way in customer service. Amazon doesn’t just sell stuff; they work to continually delight their customers.

10. What will be the “next big thing“ in your industry, and how do you plan to handle it?

The next big thing in our industry is the way companies and offices are developing in regards to wireless communication. You do not need one desk per person anymore; in fact you don’t even need to be in the same country as your colleagues or employer anymore. Work is not going to be 9-5, you might not even have a boss, and companies may start paying employees for productivity rather than time. Who knows! It is something we are excited about at Carrwood. We are developing a co-working space for professionals which will offer an alternative from the creative nomad co-working hubs. Space will always be required because home working is not always practical or productive.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Carrwood Park .