Robinson burns the IT candle

manufacturing industry was extremely buoyant in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s.

“Then the proverbial hit the fan with the majority of the multinational telecommunications companies winding back or pulling out of Australia. There is still a reasonably viable local industry with automotive, industrial, gaming and security markets but these have also drastically reduced relative to 10–20 years ago,” says Robinson.

Taking the leap
His transition from electronic components to the IT industry happened when AMD offered him a position to run the business for the Australia/New Zealand region.

This was his first real experience with the PC market. Robinson describes it as a huge learning curve and has been a roller-coaster ride since then.

“It’s the kind of ride you just have to take – an absolute buzz during
the ride, and the feeling of giddiness after the finish and then do it over again,” he says.

When Robinson was younger, ‘technology’ seemed to be the emerging buzz word. He did anticipate at an early age that electronics of some sort was a good way to go, so he did a Technical Certificate course in electronics
and communications.

“That, I have to admit, is my sole tertiary qualification. I did commence a university degree in electronic engineering, but I got bored, totally distracted and diverted with earning dollars, so I left that course after 18 months and doubled my income,” Robinson says.

He did not plan for any specific career. It just happened and was by chance. Robinson’s first job after leaving school was when at the Sydney Water Board to become a draftsman.

“On my very first day on the job I was given an overwhelming number of options to choose from: survey, architectural, planning and electrical, among others. I chose electrical – then I had the option of power or electronics,” he recalls.

“I chose electronics because that sounded interesting. Little did I know at that time I was setting the path of my career for the next hundred years,” he says.

Moore’s Law
Robinson cannot single out a specific significant event in his many years in the IT industry because he believes a memorable event happens every day.
“Certainly for me, not one day goes by without something significant happening, when I am working that is,” he says.

As for the IT industry, he says it is the same old cliches that he has seen from everyone else – and all related to Moore’s Law but maybe even quicker than the 24-month turnaround, and with a few extras.

“Every 18 months, technology continues to double in performance, halve in cost. As well, every 18 months, startups, shutdowns and merges seem to double and profit margins seem to halve. And, in this supposedly electronic paperless society, paper usage also seems to double every 18 months,” he says.

While Robinson would just love to lie in bed and not have to go to work, the other side of his brain says he must have a job. It tells him: “’You have a responsibility, you have people who expect you to be there’, and that side of the brain reacts stronger than the sleepy side.”

Heart pumping
To make sure he stays healthy he plays squash three times a week. He is always in competition mode twice during midweek and once for a hard run on Saturday afternoons.

He not only enjoys the high impact rush but also the energy spend.

“After a tough game of squash I may feel exhausted in the body but my head is amazingly clear. Playing competition also aligns with my will to win. I am a poor loser, so winning a squash game is just as important to me as winning a customer order,” Robinson says.

He feels he is lucky to have a very supportive family, especially of his extensive work agenda. But the compromise has been a lifestyle where they enjoy the modest spoils and pleasures that can only come from a reasonable income stream.

“I do take my laptop on holiday, and I do also take a book. But only one gets opened, and that book will definitely get read one day, hopefully before my wine cellar is depleted.”

finance john robinson