I am an architect of core processing systems. There areother things I do. of course. I have been a manager, a negotiator,an educator, a salesman, and when put all together, anentrepreneur. But who I am, and what gives me satisfaction is beingthe developer of systems that are useful, meaningful, clean andefficient.

In my pursuit of creating such software, I have been a founderof two companies. The decisions to do so have been some of the mostfrightening in my life, but there was no other way to ensure theopportunity to do things the right way: a culture of innovation andcollaboration, a focus on service to the clients, a standard ofexcellence. Those decisions also afforded me unexpectedopportunities to work with some of the most talented, dedicatedprofessionals I've ever met. And so it is my experience thatentrepreneurship is just that: a conduit for opportunity.

To the outside world, coding software of any kind is viewed as ascience. Its rules are rigid and unbreakable, its scope is definedby the dimensions of the computer monitor, and its completion issimply a matter of the application of those rules over and over. Agood programmer is one who doesn't often miss a key character andinadvertently create an unexpected result.

But to me, a developer is much more akin to a sculptor. His workrepresents the synthesis of vision, tools and talent. It requirespatience to design a process thoroughly before even beginning. Itrequires a keen understanding of the strengths and weaknesses ofthe languages being utilized. It requires precision in theapplication of those commands and queries. A core system isthree-dimensional, each module focused on producing its own resultsefficiently and also allowing its data to flow into other moduleson command. Its shape is like a molecule, but its creation is pureart.

The reason I founded my companies was to create a studio suitedto nurture this creativity and also to ensure that the resultingmasterpieces would be sold and supported in the right way. Ibelieve that the best work is produced as a result of a forum. Whenindividuals with talent and vision are afforded the environment toengage and cooperate, perceived limits are shattered and the bar israised. But what use is even the best product if it is squanderedby greed or by apathy? My goal has always been to bring a betterway to do business to the credit union world, to improve theexperience of users and members around the country. And so an equalgoal for my companies has been to put the client first, from theinitial sale to the smallest support question. To do it any otherway would be to irreparably undermine the efforts of the wholecompany.

My goals for such a company are being realized today at mylatest venture. I've known some of my colleagues for decades, suchas our president, Theresa Benavidez. We work with thesynchronization and mutual understanding you can't help but acquireafter striving together and trusting one another for over 30 years.I still remember my son, Rob Landis, peeking at me from inside aData General delivery box as a baby. To see him develop into anexecutive in our company, providing leadership, results and anexample of our corporate culture fills me with pride. Our chieftechnology officer, Jeff Dent, has shown vision and talent, acollaborative spirit, and dedication to our industry over longhours discussing technologies and approach. With these and otherprofessionals dedicated to my vision for what a core provider canand should be. It is about building something special and having itgrow stronger every day.

As the saying goes, “Never say never,” but I can state withconfidence that my current company will be my last venture intoentrepreneurship because I have finally gotten it right. The fearsof starting a company–financial, professional and personal–havebeen overcome and have been worth it. Each day, I walk into anoffice buzzing with ringing phones and keystrokes, with discussionsof how we can do better between developers and trainers, sales andsupport. This is why I started out those many years ago. This isthe opportunity I was looking for. 

John Landis is chairman of Corelation Inc.
Contact 619-876-5074 [email protected]