Keith Lightfoot has been known to the undersigned since the early 1980’s. In the early days of our association Keith was employed by new Aluminium Smelters Limited at their Tiwai Smelter, initially as Development Services Supervisor and then Data Processing Manager.
This Practice is committed to servicing New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited by being responsible for the management of its subsidiary New Zealand Constructions Co Limited which in turn is responsible for a number of infrastructural components of the Smelter, including the housing of its workforce.
The changeover to computers for this Practice commenced in the late 1970’s and after a restructuring of some of the Comalco’s interests it was decided to expand the responsibilities of this Practice relative to New Zealand Construction Co Limited.
Because of the need to co-ordinate with systems at the Tiwai Smelter it was arranged for us to be able to employ Keith Lightfoot as our Systems Analyst and this arrangement has worked very successfully.
After Keith left NZAS at the end of October 1984 to set up Computer Systems Southland Ltd we were pleased to be able to retain that Company’s service generally and Keith Lightfoot’s commitment to our Practice in particular.
Since 1984, this Practice has committed itself to a change over to IBM PC facilities and this has meant, in addition to the installation of the hardware and proprietary software, considerable programming commitment from Computer Systems Southland Ltd.
Staff training at various levels has been essential and it is fair to say that the high degree of sophistication that has now been achieved in this Practice is a direct result of Keith’s ability and commitment.
Not only does Keith Lightfoot have a tremendous ability within his chosen field, but he has the added advantage of being a superb communicator. Learning from Keith is a joy and his sense of humour and general demeanour always seems to bring out the best in people.
Keith is always able to maintain a spring in his step and in his communications, an attribute envied by many and achieved by few. It is always a pleasure to be visited by Keith and he can always be relied upon to be professional, even in the most trying circumstances.
The writer would be pleased to discuss Keith’s attributes and abilities in more detail.
Ernest New : Director : Ernest New & Associates
This Practice is committed to servicing New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited by being responsible for the management of its subsidiary New Zealand Constructions Co Limited which in turn is responsible for a number of infrastructural components of the Smelter, including the housing of its workforce.
The changeover to computers for this Practice commenced in the late 1970’s and after a restructuring of some of the Comalco’s interests it was decided to expand the responsibilities of this Practice relative to New Zealand Construction Co Limited.
Because of the need to co-ordinate with systems at the Tiwai Smelter it was arranged for us to be able to employ Keith Lightfoot as our Systems Analyst and this arrangement has worked very successfully.
After Keith left NZAS at the end of October 1984 to set up Computer Systems Southland Ltd we were pleased to be able to retain that Company’s service generally and Keith Lightfoot’s commitment to our Practice in particular.
Since 1984, this Practice has committed itself to a change over to IBM PC facilities and this has meant, in addition to the installation of the hardware and proprietary software, considerable programming commitment from Computer Systems Southland Ltd.
Staff training at various levels has been essential and it is fair to say that the high degree of sophistication that has now been achieved in this Practice is a direct result of Keith’s ability and commitment.
Not only does Keith Lightfoot have a tremendous ability within his chosen field, but he has the added advantage of being a superb communicator. Learning from Keith is a joy and his sense of humour and general demeanour always seems to bring out the best in people.
Keith is always able to maintain a spring in his step and in his communications, an attribute envied by many and achieved by few. It is always a pleasure to be visited by Keith and he can always be relied upon to be professional, even in the most trying circumstances.
The writer would be pleased to discuss Keith’s attributes and abilities in more detail.
Ernest New : Director : Ernest New & Associates
In about March 1991, shortly after I joined Telecom Wellington, I first came across Keith Lightfoot in his role as a Technical Representative of Telecom Mobile Radio.
At this stage we were investigating ways to improve our dispatch function and our communications with our technician field force, and TMR was offering a possible solution.
Keith’s role was partly technical but, at least as I perceived it, was mostly concerned with ensuring that I, the customer, got exactly what I wanted from his company.
In my dealing with Keith over the next 12 months, I found him to be a most able and realiable person to deal with, and our system was specified, installed and commissioned with no significant problems.
I believe that the standard of customer service that Keith delivered was truly excellent, and the fact that his customer was in this instance a sister company makes his achievement all the more exemplary.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Keith for any position involving customer service activities, and I suspect that his performance in the sales arena would be equally good.
David J. Howell : General Manager Residential Operations : Telecom Wellington
At this stage we were investigating ways to improve our dispatch function and our communications with our technician field force, and TMR was offering a possible solution.
Keith’s role was partly technical but, at least as I perceived it, was mostly concerned with ensuring that I, the customer, got exactly what I wanted from his company.
In my dealing with Keith over the next 12 months, I found him to be a most able and realiable person to deal with, and our system was specified, installed and commissioned with no significant problems.
I believe that the standard of customer service that Keith delivered was truly excellent, and the fact that his customer was in this instance a sister company makes his achievement all the more exemplary.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Keith for any position involving customer service activities, and I suspect that his performance in the sales arena would be equally good.
David J. Howell : General Manager Residential Operations : Telecom Wellington
I have known Keith Lightfoot for a period of 18 months during which time our Society has conducted a thorough investigation into all aspects of the way in which we handle our data processing.
During those 18 months I have found Keith Lightfoot to be direct, open and thoroughly professional in the way he has presented his Company’s case and products.
Keith’s special forte is his ability to deliver a marketing message clearly and which is pitched at the right level for the particular customer.
All too often people involved in marketing software and hardware in the data processing world speak in unintelligible gobblegook.
Keith Lightfoot is not one of these, he has the ability to present complex concepts and technical data in a clear and intelligible fashion.
I would recommend Keith Lightfoot to any potential employer and would be willing to act as referee should it be requested.
John Wilson : General Manager : Combined Rural Traders
During those 18 months I have found Keith Lightfoot to be direct, open and thoroughly professional in the way he has presented his Company’s case and products.
Keith’s special forte is his ability to deliver a marketing message clearly and which is pitched at the right level for the particular customer.
All too often people involved in marketing software and hardware in the data processing world speak in unintelligible gobblegook.
Keith Lightfoot is not one of these, he has the ability to present complex concepts and technical data in a clear and intelligible fashion.
I would recommend Keith Lightfoot to any potential employer and would be willing to act as referee should it be requested.
John Wilson : General Manager : Combined Rural Traders
Over the past four years Keith has been our advisor for computer software and hardware in a time when we have undergone a complete transition to computerisation.
He has always been totally honest and reliable in his dealing with us.
We have found his expertise in computers to be without question and have never regretted taking his advice, which I might add has not always been what we had in mind initially.
However Keith was never afraid to give his advise and he has gently but firmly lead us in the right direction which has invariably been correct and to our advantage in the long term.
Keith has a very pleasant nature and is able to get along side his clients and understand their needs and requirements very quickly.
We are sad to lose his services in Southland but wish him and his family well in the future.
D N Thompson : Managing Director : D N Thompson Insurances
He has always been totally honest and reliable in his dealing with us.
We have found his expertise in computers to be without question and have never regretted taking his advice, which I might add has not always been what we had in mind initially.
However Keith was never afraid to give his advise and he has gently but firmly lead us in the right direction which has invariably been correct and to our advantage in the long term.
Keith has a very pleasant nature and is able to get along side his clients and understand their needs and requirements very quickly.
We are sad to lose his services in Southland but wish him and his family well in the future.
D N Thompson : Managing Director : D N Thompson Insurances