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Get to know your community: 20 questions to Derek Park

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Derek Park
Derek Park
06/30/2011

Each week, Oil & Gas IQ introduces you to a new member of our rapidly-growing global community. We set out to reveal what makes them tick, and what it is that makes them stand out through their work and life experiences. This week's respondent is our columnist and process management expert, Derek Park.

Q: Who is your hero and why?

A: Winston Churchill. He inspired his generation to fight for the freedom for my generation

Q: Who do you admire in the business world and why?

A: Jack Welch, because he said ‘an organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage’

Q: What has been your greatest achievement?

A: Probably becoming the manager of a North Sea Oil Production Platform

Q: What is your greatest regret?

A: Laying down a musical instrument in my 20’s and not picking up another until my 50’s

Q: What is your favorite word?

A: Project (noun)

Q: What is your least favorite word?

A: Cannot

Q: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

A: Musician

Q: What profession other than yours would you not want to attempt?

A: Doctor

Q:Can you describe yourself in 3 words?

A: Older and wiser

Q: If you could meet any historical figure, who would it be and why?

A: Horatio Nelson. I would like to ask him about his inclusive management style which was so different to the autocratic norm of his day

Q: What is your favourite book?

A: The Cruel Sea, Nicholas Monsarrat

Q: What is your favourite film?

A: The Full Monty

Q: What is your most memorable quotation?

A: Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves, that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, this was their finest hour. (Winston S Churchill)

Q: If your job requires a lot of travelling - what is your favourite journey?

A: Back home from anywhere

Q: What is your favourite dish?

A: Fish and Chips

Q: What food can you not stand?

A: The only thing I can think of is tripe! I would have a go at anything else!

Q: What is the quality you most like in men?

A: Resilience

Q: What is the quality you most like in women?

A: Family loyalty

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

A: Retired…. but no idea where

Q: If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?

A: Have some formal business training such as an MBA

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