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In this issue…
LISA Profiles Theodora Landgren
In future, the LISA Newsletter will be offering light-hearted profiles of key industry players. The first "victim" is Theodora Landgren, ex-Chairman, President and COO of service provider BTS. A former competitive skier, Theodora lived in Sweden for ten years and became a programmer in the mid-1960s, "when the input method was keypunching and a workstation was a console run by an operator controlling a system in a secure 'clean room'. Systems analysts solved problems using flowcharts, and programmers coded solutions using RPG, Fortran and the new COBOL". Back in the US in the early 1980s, Theodora started BTS to help US multinationals translate and typeset high-volume technical materials into foreign languages, a process that soon included localization. Two years ago, the company went public, and Theodora has now handed over management to a new, growth-oriented team. The company, which is currently based in the Americas, Europe and the major Asian markets, "plans to own the world by solving the technology challenge," a process which currently involves researching and buying technology companies to complete its vision. Theodora, in the mean time, focuses on her role as a consultant, member of the Board of Directors, and "living knowledge database". Date and place of birth? Never ask a lady her age or weight! Just say the end of World War II, Woodbury, NJ, USA. Greatest professional success? Having a publicly traded company with one's first name as the symbol: "THEO". Also, I think our crazy Christmas and Valentine cards of years past helped. When we wrote "If you didn't use us in 1984, please give us a try in 1985", people did! Greatest professional mistake? Not taking advantage of our position as the "only show in town" in the 1980s, and becoming the Wilhelmena Gates of the industry. Most embarrassing moment? With Unisys, my first big client, in the mid-1980s. They had hired Lionel Mellet and I went to meet him for the first time. His eyes fixed on my legs (they were better back then). With a handshake and a laugh, he said "You'll do anything to get the job, won't you?" I looked down. My petticoat had fallen down around my ankles. "Yes I will", I said and casually stepped out of it. Most likely to say? "Want to play golf?", and "I love my life." Least likely to say? "Pay your bill, and pay on time...please", or "I want to start over." What do you like most about the business? Seeing happy customers' faces and hearing thanks to the staff who work so hard. What do you like least about the business? People who lie to clients and tarnish the reputation of the industry. Whom do you most admire? Two people: the visionary genius who happens to be part of our company, and Mike Anobile, who has the courage to foster LISA—a challenging task to say the least. What is your advice to newcomers? Don't! Go translate Bibles, it's easier! What is your favorite industry fantasy? Michael Anobile. Where will the industry be in five years time? Since we plan to own the world, I suspect the work we don't want will follow the 80-20 rule. If I had my time to do over again I would… be snorkeling in the Seychelles, talking to the fish in any language I want. I'd like to be remembered as… Madonna's clone (you figure it out!). Guess I'll have to start writing my memoirs because I ran out of space here. Any ideas? Call me and we can chat at +44 171 833 1934 or +1-609-795-8669. |
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    8-12 December 2008 |