Management at Viking Software: Meet Bo and Kristina

The founders - an introduction

Bo and Kristina, high school sweethearts turned business partners, embody contrasting but complementary personalities. While Bo is a tech-savvy enthusiast with a knack for bold ambitions, Kristina brings a grounded sense of well-being and operational acumen. Together, they embarked on a journey that led to the creation of Viking Software.

Background

The 1990's

Education

Bo becomes a Computer Scientist, and Kristina is trained as a Pedagogue.

Early 2000s

Starting their careers

Both start working with development: Bo is hired for development in Qt, while Kristina works with the development of children in kindergarten.

2004

First company

Bo starts Thorsen Consulting, focusing on Qt development.

2006

Partnership

Kristina joins Thorsen Consulting to manage administrative duties.

2008

Bankruptcy

Financial crisis hits; Thorsen Consulting goes bankrupt.

2009

Restart

Bo and Kristina start a new venture, Fionia Software.

2013

New bosses

They close Fionia Software and accept an offer from a major Qt development house to start a European division.

2014

Viking Software is founded

A new opportunity causes the pair to start hiring developers for their own venture, officially founding Viking Software.

Management Style

Bo is the visionary leader, often looking five years ahead and serving as the primary client contact. His approach is largely intuitive, shaped by a blend of technical expertise and a knack for client communication. Kristina, on the other hand, is the operational anchor of Viking Software. She focuses on the well-being of the employees, drawing from her background in pedagogy to create a harmonious work environment. Their contrasting styles form a balanced leadership approach, augmented by a board of directors that brings in diverse strategic viewpoints. Beyond the office, Bo and Kristina are actively involved in networking to broaden Viking Software’s influence in the industry.

Bo and Kristina Visions

Visions for Viking Software

The couple has outlined three primary goals for the future of Viking Software:

  1. Measured growth, specifically focusing on the number of developers employed.
  2. Evolving into a nearly self-sustaining enterprise.
  3. Maintaining a healthy work environment true to their core values.

In addition, there are three things they do their best to avoid:

  1. Exclusion: They will always ensure that all employees, regardless of location, are included in decision-making.
  2. Poor Work-Life Balance: They respect employees’ time outside of work to foster long-term well-being.
  3. Micromanagement: They trust the competence of their employees, and give them the space to excel.

Bo and Kristina aim to achieve these goals and avoid these pitfalls organically. Their vision is a blend of Bo’s lofty ambitions and Kristina’s grounded realism, striving for a business that experiences steady, manageable growth.

Want to learn more about the dynamic founder-duo?