So much so that Carpenter was chosen to share this story, as well as her background, in a TedX talk published on the TedX platform with over 40-million subscribers.
“I was complimented by one of the [tracing] team, not a Discovery person.
“He remarked when he met me he thought I was a nice person, and knew I must be the boss.
“I don’t repeat this story often, but it was another confirmation that the best results follow the adage that you get ‘more bees with honey than vinegar’.
“At the start of my work career I was a compulsive goal achiever and looking back I realised that I could be pretty demanding. I wanted results. It was my style.”
Her consultancy business is still results-driven but the companies she works with today see a very different Maria Carpenter, one who has found that work is a pleasurable experience.
“When consulting to clients I often say that I am there to make ‘transformation your new favourite word’.”
Her management programmes include:
• Changing the culture from toxicity to joy in 21 days;
• A 20% reduction in meetings in two weeks;
• Getting new-hires productive in less than three months;
• 100% rating from team members feeling fully supported;
• How to address conflict between departments; and
• How to meet KPIs (key performance indices) with your team of six when you need nine.
Carpenter attributes her management strategy change to the personal trauma she suffered in 2015.
She realised that goals could be achieved without panicking the employees.
“Your work is your gift to the world, and offering your gift while living a happy and healthy life should not be in competition.”
One of her consulting fortes is teaching business people and entrepreneurs how to double productivity without having to hire more staff.
“People that are interested in my views can subscribe to my free business advice column, which contains the most ‘no holds barred’ methods to changing the world’s perspective on work.
“To my mind, work is a place for respect, connection, and growth. With the right strategies in place, everyone thrives.”
She said that much time has passed since living in East London, but she celebrates and appreciates her roots, visiting her hometown at least once a year from her base in Cape Town.
• Here is the link to Maria Carpenters TedXTalk — https://youtu.be/KgJc40Fw7xg?si=JReIiOXyXARjCTuk
DispatchLIVE
Former East Londoner sets about creating pleasurable work experiences for employees
Image: SUPPLIED
When the Daily Dispatch interviewed Maria Pouroullis Carpenter, founder and CEO of Maria P Carpenter (MPC) in 2007, she was asked, among other things, to give just two of her long term ambitions.
The pioneer of work enjoyment trotted out the two, and they were both lofty.
“Share my feelings about the joy of work with as many companies and individuals as I am able, followed by changing people’s perspective on work. That should keep me going.”
Carpenter was born in East London, to Greek-Cypriot immigrant parents, Philippos and Panayiota Pouroullis.
She attended Clarendon from Sub A and matriculated from Clarendon High school in 1995.
Food on the move — from their car boot
She attended Rhodes University and read for a B.Com Honours (Information Systems and Accounts).
“With six brothers, who all attended Selborne College, I was the only girl and was accustomed to life in a male-dominated world. At Rhodes, I chose a career in technology.”
In 2018, after working for a few technology-linked companies, she landed a position as head of digital for the Discovery Group.
She took the team from 100 to 250 technologists and built the group’s mobile app and website that serviced millions of customers, but resigned in 2022 to concentrate on her own consulting business, MPC.
“A highlight in my career to date was leading the country’s contact tracing effort in 2020, with teams from Apple, Google and the national department of health.”
In this role, Carpenter and her team made history, when SA had one of the most successful roll outs of the technology across the globe.
A lifelong passion for precast walls
So much so that Carpenter was chosen to share this story, as well as her background, in a TedX talk published on the TedX platform with over 40-million subscribers.
“I was complimented by one of the [tracing] team, not a Discovery person.
“He remarked when he met me he thought I was a nice person, and knew I must be the boss.
“I don’t repeat this story often, but it was another confirmation that the best results follow the adage that you get ‘more bees with honey than vinegar’.
“At the start of my work career I was a compulsive goal achiever and looking back I realised that I could be pretty demanding. I wanted results. It was my style.”
Her consultancy business is still results-driven but the companies she works with today see a very different Maria Carpenter, one who has found that work is a pleasurable experience.
“When consulting to clients I often say that I am there to make ‘transformation your new favourite word’.”
Her management programmes include:
• Changing the culture from toxicity to joy in 21 days;
• A 20% reduction in meetings in two weeks;
• Getting new-hires productive in less than three months;
• 100% rating from team members feeling fully supported;
• How to address conflict between departments; and
• How to meet KPIs (key performance indices) with your team of six when you need nine.
Carpenter attributes her management strategy change to the personal trauma she suffered in 2015.
She realised that goals could be achieved without panicking the employees.
“Your work is your gift to the world, and offering your gift while living a happy and healthy life should not be in competition.”
One of her consulting fortes is teaching business people and entrepreneurs how to double productivity without having to hire more staff.
“People that are interested in my views can subscribe to my free business advice column, which contains the most ‘no holds barred’ methods to changing the world’s perspective on work.
“To my mind, work is a place for respect, connection, and growth. With the right strategies in place, everyone thrives.”
She said that much time has passed since living in East London, but she celebrates and appreciates her roots, visiting her hometown at least once a year from her base in Cape Town.
• Here is the link to Maria Carpenters TedXTalk — https://youtu.be/KgJc40Fw7xg?si=JReIiOXyXARjCTuk
DispatchLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos