4. Who has been the most influential person in your life? Why?
The most influential person in my life is Lee Gaddis, my husband as well as principal and strategic planner for T3. I trust his judgement without conviction and truly appreciate his straight-shooting approach to issues. (Except when I ask him about my new haircuts.) We share everything from parenting to raising Texas Longhorns on our Double Heart Ranch to managing T3. There is nothing I involve myself in that Lee is not a part of.
5. What lessons have you learned that would be valuable to women beginning their careers in technology?
This past year brought big changes to the advertising industry with the permeation of high-tech start-up accounts. Things are moving much faster now. Where traditional business models may take a year or more to establish a niche and competitive edge, dot-com companies must grow from an idea to a major industry player overnight.
Therefore, my advice to women beginning their careers on the Internet front is to beware of risky ideas funded by big venture capital and place your trust in seasoned senior management teams committed to sustainable business strategy. We've been very careful at T3 to only seriously consider dot-com clients that demonstrate, above all else, a firm commitment to business marketing basics.
6. What new technology do you believe will have the most positive impact on the world in the next 20 years? The most negative impact?
I think biotechnology is going to hugely affect future generations. For instance, the human genome project, in which scientists have combined their knowledge of biochemistry with advanced technology such as high-throughput DNA analysis, has potential impact for understanding the genetic origin of diseases. The end result of this will hopefully be longer, better quality lives for everyone.
Gay Warren Gaddis answers these questions:
1. What was your first job in technology?
2. Who has been your most significant mentor? Why?
3. What has been your greatest challenge and what strategies
did you use to overcome obstacles?
4. Who has been the most influential person in your life?
Why?
5. What lessons have you learned that would be valuable to
women beginning their careers in technology?
6. What new technology do you believe will have the most positive
impact on the world in the next 20 years? The most negative impact?
On the lighter side:
1. If you could have dinner with any 2 people (living or not),
who would they be?
2. What was the last book you read? What books do you love to recommend?
3. If you couldn't do what you are doing now, what profession would you choose?
4. What is your definition of success?
