TFI's 2003 25th Anniversary Party

TFI's 25th Anniversary Party

Comments from TFI's Chairman, John H. Vanston, Ph.D.

On July 23, 2003, Technology Futures hosted a party to celebrate 25 years in business. The party was at the The Mansion at Judges' Hill in Austin, Texas and, by all measures, was a great success. Between 80 and 100 people attended, including current and past TFI employees, present and prospective clients, and a wide range of personal and professional friends.

The highlight of the party was a short presentation by Admiral Bob Inman on the current situation in various parts of the world and on how these may change over the next couple of decades. The presentation, "The Future as a Place to Live," was right on the mark--informative, perceptive, and interesting. Although it would take too long to review all of his comments, his presentation ended on a relatively positive note. He indicated that there have been some recent positive signs in the relationships between India and China, between China and Russia, and between India and Russia. If these nations, together with the United States and Brazil, could join to reestablish an atmosphere of international cooperation, the world could enjoy a very promising future.

The Admiral was introduced by TFI's vice-president, David Smith, who worked with him at the Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC) for several years. David recalled that one of the most valuable principles that he had learned from Admiral Inman was the importance of teamwork to success.

Before Admiral Inman's presentation, our president, Larry Vanston, talked briefly and humorously about what 25 years meant within the framework of the TFI's Five Views of the Future^TM.

• In regard to Extrapolators, 25 years represent 17 cycles of Moore's Law, which reflects how much change has taken place over the last two-and-a-half decades.
• In regard to Pattern Analysts, 25 years represent 2½ times the average lifetime of new businesses in the United States, which reflects the accomplishment of saying in business this long.
• In regard to Counter Punchers, 25 years represent the time between George Foreman's first professional boxing match at the age of 20 and his last capture of the Heavyweight Title at the age of 45, which reflects the value of tenacity and persistence.
• In regard to Intuitors, 25 years represent the time it takes for intuition to progress from inspiration to wisdom, which reflects the fact that in projecting the future, experience counts for a lot.
• In regard to Goal Analysts, 25 years represent the time it has taken for me to promise five times that I intend to work for TFI for only five more years.

Between Larry's introduction and Admiral Inman's presentation, I spoke briefly about the importance of our employees in reaching this milestone. During these 25 years, there has been one thing that has remained constant--the quality of the TFI people. It would be hard for me to count the number of times that people have asked me, "How do you get such great people at TFI? I have never known a single one that has not been truly outstanding." Needless-to-say, I agree with this assessment.

On this note, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all of the past and current members of the TFI team. I would also like to thank our associates and customers for your continuing support, goodwill, and friendship. We could never have done it without all of you.

Onward to the next 25!!

Sincerely,
John H. Vanston, Ph.D.
Chairman, TFI