Dear LISA Members,

Our 1996 Membership Survey mandate – to grow the Association and to provide a basis for educating the international business community about the requirements of localization – was also echoed in the first LISA Executive Round Table held just prior to the Geneva Forum.

The Round Table, a gathering of approximately 20 senior executives from both the supply and demand sides, provided precise feedback on how to promote the industry and develop pro-grams to help member companies face the challenges of industry growth, maturity and con-solidation. The transcript of a telephone interview with David Brooks of Microsoft, which initiated some lively discussions at the Round Table, is enclosed with this issue of the News-letter. The vendor and publisher-specific Forum sessions enhanced this further.

Thus the LISA 1998 Business Plan includes aggressive targets for increasing membership, re-structuring administrative support, and promoting industry recognition. Our new Executive Committee is committed to these goals. A key objective for 1998 is to launch a Localization Business Survey with a major international consulting firm. To help fund this and other pro-jects without raising membership or Forum fees, LISA will be conducting a fund-raising drive.

I am also pleased to announce that Corinne Anthamatten and Alison Rowles will be joining LISA on a full-time basis beginning this year, as our Office Administrator and Business Man-ager respectively. Corinne's experience in the travel/tourism business and her language skills will help us organize Forums and other member events more effectively. LISA’s Business Management Consultant since 1993, Alison has a distinguished management background in international business and has successfully launched several start-ups during her career. This experience will be invaluable in guiding LISA through its current period of development.

One of our 1998 goals is to link the Newsletter more closely with industry and LISA-specific topics, while still remaining flexible. This issue is devoted to tools: new systems, standardiza-tion activities, and the business implications of technology. The next issue will focus on Asia and Japan, tying in with our first LISA Forum Japan at the Laforet Hotel, Tokyo from 31 May to 2 June. Please refer to the Website for program and registration details. Dates for the 1998 General Assembly meeting in Madrid (hosted by Mendez Lan-guage & Technology) and our Q4 event will also be announced on the LISA Website soon.

Another goal is to organize Forum venues a year in advance. If you are interested in hosting or contributing to these events financially or as a presenter, please let me know soon. We are creating a Forum Planning Committee to help improve the content, focus and quality of future events. All ideas and support will be recognized.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the Association during 1997, and best wishes for a successful and healthy 1998.

Mike Anobile
LISA Managing Director