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In this issue…
LISA Profiles: David Johnston
In this issue of the LISA Newsletter, our profile focuses on a relatively new breed of LISA member—a globalization consultant. David Johnston, President and CEO of Johnston & Associates, has long-term experience with IBM and Electronic Data Systems in the area of technical sales, project management, training, and application software development for internationalization. Prior to his current position, he led a department with responsibility for the release of a large software product into nine Far Eastern and European languages in 22 countries, simultaneous with English. He was the senior member of IBM’s Application Solution line-of-business NLS Competency Center. In addition he consulted with, and trained, internal IBM product development teams worldwide in the “how-to’s” of implementing national language support and managing complex translation projects. David holds an IBM Patent Award for software translation tool development. Date and place of birth? Chicago, Illinois on November 19, 1945. Greatest professional success? Able to launch a new company and have it survive and grow for seven years while remaining married to the same woman! Greatest professional mistake? Not knowing the difference between management and leadership in a small company. Most embarrassing professional moment? While at IBM, giving a presentation. Some IBM colleagues sitting in the back of the room used gestures to make me aware that my fly was open ... In an awkward, quick spin away from the audience, I checked to find that it wasn’t and totally lost my train of thought. Upon turning back to the audience, I found the perpetrators of the joke were howling wildly. I stood there numb and disoriented before regaining my composure… prior to killing them. Most likely to say? We’ve made mistakes and we’ve benefited from them. Least likely to say? It can’t be done. What do you like most about the business? The future outlook changes minute by minute, as does our business plan. What do you like least about the business? Paperwork and “administrivia”. Who do you most admire, and why? Rory Cowan, President of Lionbridge. He’s always looking over the horizon as a visionary. What advice would you give to someone just starting out? The best businesses come from those who love the work. The money takes care of itself. What is your favorite industry fantasy? Is this one or two questions?!! My answer is innovation in software engineering to eliminate the need for software internationalization. Where will the industry be in five years time? Language and software will become one. Translation as an adjunct to development will be obsolete. If I had my time over again, I would… be bolder with our company plans and more aggressive in seeking investors. The opportunities for globalization and e-business services are abundant and boundless. It’s purely a capacity and quality issue. How would you like to be remembered? As someone who helped the globalization cause and lived to tell about it. David Johnston
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