Don't let worry overwhelm your business

Don't concern yourself with what you can't control is Robert's mantra

Robert Sepanloo joined Fujitsu Software in April 2003 from Verticalnet, where he was vice president of marketing.

With more than 20 years experience under his belt he was charged with turning one element of the company's portfolio - Interstage a wide variety of business software solutions - into a $100m business by 2006.

Previous landmarks in Robert's career include building partnerships such as SAP into a $2bn business and Baan into a $250m business during his 10 year stint at Sun Microsystems.

What was your first car?

I had a Mini Morris. What I really wanted was James Bond's Aston Martin.

What was your first job?

My first job was at the Polytechnic University of New York where I worked as a Chemistry assistant. I was paid $16,000 a year.

What was your first house?

The first house that I had a mortgage for was a ranch house in Edison, New Jersey. It cost me $135,000.

Who is your biggest inspiration?

Albert Einstein for his contribution to the scientific world and Albert Schweitzer for his contribution to the humanities.

What's the best bit of business advice you've had?

Only worry about the things you have control over and don't waste your time worrying over the things that you have no control over.

This advice is something that I employ on a daily basis because it's so important to keep a healthy sense of self preservation.

What's the biggest challenge facing business now?

For hi-tech businesses it would have to be getting the trust of the investors after the dotcom and Enron scandals.

Many small investors were burned in the dotcom crash, so a sense of extreme caution prevails when it comes to financial backing of new technologies.

However, I think that as technologies continue to evolve and prove themselves there will be less hesitation in investing in technology, although I can't imagine that it will ever be on the same scale as the dotcom era - it was an exciting, yet crazy time.

What can the government do to boost business?

Governments should foster and encourage entrepreneurial and small business spirit.

The main focus for governments should be providing healthcare and education for the community.

What issue in the industry is grabbing your attention?

With governance and compliance regulations set to change the process of auditing and financial reporting across the globe, this is one of the biggest issues facing enterprises today.

New compliance measures are endeavouring to re-shape the financial landscape and renew public confidence in this sector in the wake of the Enron and Parmalat style fiascos.

With worldwide compliance regulations imminent, including the UK's Basel II which is set for implementation by 2006, financial institutions are scrambling to find effective solutions to meet deadlines and fulfill the requirements of these regulations.

At Fujitsu Software, we are working with advisory committees and directly with enterprises to help them understand the technology solutions available.

What was the proudest moment of your career?

When I got a call from one of my previous direct reports (who used to work for me at Sun Microsystems) years later telling me how much I made a difference in his career and personal life.

He became a vice president of a major corporation.

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California-based Fujitsu Software Corporation, is part of the Fujitsu family.

The wholly owned subsidiary develops and provides information technology solutions - including more than 4,000 software developers worldwide.

The company now has more than 8,000 customers and generates revenues of $2bn.