Vanja Keindl, VERBA CENTAR d.o.o. Founder and CEO: “In a rapidly automating industry, VERBA’s emphasis on personalized partnerships, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence ensures we deliver both technological precision and the irreplaceable value of human expertise”

VERBA CENTAR d.o.o., founded in 1998 by Vanja Keindl, is a premier language services provider based in Croatia, with a growing presence in Denmark. For over two decades, VERBA has been dedicated to helping businesses and organizations communicate effectively across language barriers, offering a wide range of solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of their clients. With a focus on precision, creativity, and results, VERBA has positioned itself as a trusted partner for global companies in sectors such as healthcare, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and technology. The company’s expertise spans key areas, including translation, language editing, proofreading, certified translations, multilingual SEO, software localization, and terminological database creation. By ensuring that content resonates with target audiences while adhering to industry-specific standards, VERBA helps businesses communicate their message clearly and authentically, no matter the language or market.

Serving a diverse range of clients, from marketing managers and purchasing departments to law offices and digital agencies, VERBA’s solutions are designed to drive success in international markets. Whether optimizing marketing materials, ensuring legal compliance, or localizing user interfaces, VERBA’s tailored approach guarantees that clients’ messages retain their unique brand tone and identity. Operating with ISO 9001, ISO 17100, and ISO 18587 certifications, VERBA maintains the highest standards of quality, delivering seamless, efficient, and accurate translation services. Their team of specialized native-speaking linguists brings expertise to every project, ensuring that the company’s solutions remain globally competitive while meeting the unique needs of each client.

In conversation with Vanja Keindl, Founder and CEO of VERBA CENTAR d.o.o.

Q. What makes VERBA CENTAR d.o.o. unique in the market compared to competitors? Are there any standout one or two success stories or case studies that demonstrate your company’s impact?

While most language service providers adopt quality systems and modern technologies, VERBA stands out through the expertise of our translation project managers. With a strong linguistic background, they go beyond coordination to provide tailored advice and solutions for our clients. Years of hands-on experience enable us to simplify complex challenges. For instance, we frequently combine multiple software tools to handle specialized file formats, like encoded XML files, ensuring accurate and efficient results by isolating translatable content from protected code.

Our approach is purpose-driven, aligning with client expectations by adapting to their workflows and processes. This may involve additional industry-specific training or visiting client facilities to better understand their systems and needs. In a rapidly automating industry, VERBA’s emphasis on personalized partnerships, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence ensures we deliver both technological precision and the irreplaceable value of human expertise.

Q. How has the implementation of your vendor evaluation system in 2022 impacted the quality and efficiency of your translation services, particularly for specialized fields like medical, technical, and IT translations?

In any business relying on suppliers, external collaborators, or freelancers, the quality of products and services depends heavily on the expertise and reliability of these partners. This principle holds true for translation services as well. At VERBA, the quality of our translation services relies on the expertise and reliability of our external collaborators. We maintain a strict standard: every translator must be a native speaker with specialized knowledge in the client’s industry. To meet diverse language and field-specific needs, we continually expand and train our network of over 600 freelance translators. Training includes mastering industry-standard tools, ensuring consistent terminology use, adhering to project guidelines, and handling various file formats.

Our commitment extends beyond onboarding. We have implemented a comprehensive evaluation system to ensure continuous improvement. Translators receive detailed feedback from linguistic project managers, including summaries of changes, explanations, and recognition of strengths. This feedback helps refine their skills and maintain high-quality outcomes. The evaluation system has significantly enhanced service quality and efficiency. By matching translators to tasks based on their profiles, we assemble teams with the best competencies and experience, crucial for specialized fields like medical, technical, legal, and IT translations. This system benefits both translators and VERBA. Translators gain actionable insights and recognition, while VERBA consolidates feedback to ensure consistent quality management, meeting client-specific needs and the highest industry standards.

Q. What are your key goals for the next 5 years? Are there any new services or markets you plan to explore?

Predicting the future of the linguistic services market over the next five years is a challenge. However, our strategy focuses on staying agile and adapting to emerging demands while deepening our specialization in key professional fields. This year, we are taking a significant step by implementing the ISO 13485 standard for medical devices. This certification will enable us to further establish ourselves in this highly specialized and demanding sector, positioning us to meet the stringent requirements of medical device translation with precision and excellence.

Q. Vanja Keindl, as the Founder and Executive Director, what is your leadership philosophy? What key milestones have you achieved since the company’s inception?

Fundamental human values—such as respect, teamwork, honesty, and integrity—have always been at the heart of my approach. I believe these principles have shaped our growth from a small local translation company into a trusted language service provider capable of competing on the global stage. This is reflected in the numerous certifications and awards we’ve received for business excellence. Looking ahead, my priority is to create a positive and supportive work environment for my team—one where every individual feels valued and satisfied with their work. By fostering this culture, we can continue to achieve great things together.

Q. What advice would you give to entrepreneurs aspiring to make a mark in your industry?

The translation industry is rapidly evolving with the advancement of artificial intelligence, which is likely to replace many traditional methods. However, I believe opportunities for linguists will grow as AI increases the demand for content creation and refinement. Linguists’ roles will transform, requiring adaptability and continuous learning to meet the needs of this dynamic field. The work may differ from today, but those ready to embrace change will find exciting opportunities in shaping the future of language services.

“This year, we are taking a significant step by implementing the ISO 13485 standard for medical devices. This certification will enable us to further establish ourselves in this highly specialized and demanding sector, positioning us to meet the stringent requirements of medical device translation with precision and excellence.” 

“We have implemented a comprehensive evaluation system to ensure continuous improvement. Translators receive detailed feedback from linguistic project managers, including summaries of changes, explanations, and recognition of strengths.” 

“Looking ahead, my priority is to create a positive and supportive work environment for my team—one where every individual feels valued and satisfied with their work. By fostering this culture, we can continue to achieve great things together.”