Dear Members and Colleagues,

For the Association, it has also been an exceptionally productive year. We can look back at our 10-year history with a sense of pride at our solid achievements and the vast amount of ground covered. We have now definitely entered the post-localization era, and our current membership of 243 organizations has a broad range of profiles, reflecting a move away from traditional software localization pricing and production models towards end-to-end globalization services. From an organizational perspective, LISA has demonstrated its ability to adapt quickly by listening to its constituency and recognizing the opportunities offered by this evolving industry. The resounding vote by the LISA General Assembly in favor of broadening our mandate and restructuring the Board proves that we are on the right track (see page 14 for the results of the Extraordinary General Assembly ballot).

LISA’s previous Board structure was committee-oriented and comprised six non-executive members: three representing the supply sector, and three representing the client/demand sector. A quorum was required to pass a vote at any meeting, and a substantial difficulty—and obstacle to progress—was getting people to turn up. In order to develop a broader base of member representation and facilitate a more effective decision-making process we have now restructured the Board into two groups. The new structure is the result of an extensive analysis of best practice in other industries and does, of course, comply fully with the Association’s statutes and the law of Switzerland, the country in which LISA is registered.

The first group in the new structure is a Supervisory Board, comprising two members plus the Director. One of the two members will be primarily responsible for financial/administration issues, and the other for strategy. The second group is a ten-person Advisory Board responsible for member-driven platforms such as technical workgroups, standards, education and market issues. The Supervisory Board takes decisions on behalf of the Association, e.g., budgets, plans and strategic directions, while the Advisory Board provides crucial input to this process. The Advisory Board positions thus round off a well balanced approach to progressing the market, technology and growth issues confronting the industry. Nominee and platform updates are to be found at http://www.lisa.org/members_only/mission.html.

As an industry voice, LISA has gained the recognition and respect of some of the most prestigious names in the international business press and investment communities. Its activities in 2000 and those planned for 2001 clearly demonstrate that it is fulfilling its mandate to promote and support all aspects of the industry. We look forward to seeing you at our tenth anniversary celebrations in Amsterdam, and to working with you over the next ten years to grow the industry further.

Sincerely,

Mike Anobile
LISA Managing Director