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December’s North East spotlight series: Dianne Sharp

With Christmas fast approaching and the region’s business people looking forward to a well deserved rest, we’re bringing you a December interview series with a holiday twist.

Here at Bdaily we love to bring our readers closer to the stories we write. So this month, we’re asking the questions we don’t usually get a chance to ask - giving you the chance to learn more about the business people you so often read about.

We’re kicking things off with the lovely Dianne Sharp, CEO of DKS Straightforward.

Enjoy!

Your business

Hi Dianne. What were the highlights for your business in 2015?

Starting DKS Straightforward. Getting the opportunity of working directly with a variety of businesses as my own boss has been a business ambition for a few years, and now it!

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently this year?

I am a true believer in everything happens for a reason, so no. Whilst it hasn’t all been plain sailing, I have leant from the mistakes and bruised ego!

Is there anything we should watch out for your company doing next year?

Financial literacy, and the powerful insight that the numbers give business owners and executives is a particular passion of mine, and I am therefore working on some products and sessions to help business people overcome their fear of numbers and empower them to really understand the financial aspects of their business.

Your favourites

Have any other North East companies impressed you this year, if so - why?

Greggs would be my standout North East business. A national brand, that has had to embrace significant changes in the marketplace and consumer behaviour, it continues to truly live and breath its family values.

Having had the opportunity to meet with Roger Whiteside and the executive team, spend time in the manufacturing sites (still my number one ever site visits) as well as being a frequenter of the odd store or two, you quickly find that these are not lip service soundbites, but a fundamental belief in the right way to run a business, support its staff and serve its communities. And on a cold wet winter morning, nothing beats a £2 coffee and bacon butty meal deal!

When business life gets on top of you, what do you do to destress?

I love sewing, knitting and all manner of crafts. I actually have two desks next to each other, one with my computer and various business paraphanelia; the other with my sewing machine and cutting mat!

Have any social media accounts caught your eye this year, any favourite pages or people to follow? (*cough* Bdaily *cough* *cough*)

I have been something of a dinosaur where social media is concerned and its only really been the last few months that I have really engaged with it. I particularly like the Ted Talks twitter feed, as at least once per week it will give me pause for thought.

The what ifs

If you could do any job in the world what would it be?

A Despicable Me minion, failing that Christian Louboutin’s shoe mannequin.

If you could go back in time, which piece of advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t worry so much, it achieves little other than grey hair and trust me you will NOT like it when you go grey.

What would be the perfect Christmas gift for you?

A box containing a Singer Overlocker, The Minions movie DVD, and a pair of Christian Louboutin black Just Kate shoes in size 7.

Thanks Dianne, happy holidays from the Bdaily team.

To feature in our North East December spotlight series, contact Jamie at jamie.hardesty@bdaily.co.uk.

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