Comments on: Report from the Russian (Entrepreneurial) Front http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/ Business + Technology in the Exponential Economy Sat, 11 Feb 2012 01:49:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: Albert Park http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-95420 Albert Park Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:06:00 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-95420 Bill, sounds like you had quite an adventure! I recently visited some of the post-Soviet Balkan states, and the smile thing was the first difference to get to me, as well. But as a French acquaintance told me, we Americans are "stupidly optimistic". Hmmm... I swear I've seen that on a top 10 list somewhere for successful innovators... :P I certainly hope you're right about the future prospects of Russia. A recent WSJ article quoted that "untimely death in jail has become almost an occupational hazard for Russian entrepreneurs". (this is in relation to the Hermitage lawyer's death) While this may be a firebrand statement, Medvedev has made it no secret that corruption and ethics are limiting growth in his nation. Even if the society is educated, how will they succeed if there is no faith in the [legal] system? Even entrepreneurs need their lawyers... Bill, sounds like you had quite an adventure!

I recently visited some of the post-Soviet Balkan states, and the smile thing was the first difference to get to me, as well. But as a French acquaintance told me, we Americans are “stupidly optimistic”. Hmmm… I swear I’ve seen that on a top 10 list somewhere for successful innovators… :P

I certainly hope you’re right about the future prospects of Russia. A recent WSJ article quoted that “untimely death in jail has become almost an occupational hazard for Russian entrepreneurs”. (this is in relation to the Hermitage lawyer’s death) While this may be a firebrand statement, Medvedev has made it no secret that corruption and ethics are limiting growth in his nation. Even if the society is educated, how will they succeed if there is no faith in the [legal] system? Even entrepreneurs need their lawyers…

]]> By: Erdin http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93981 Erdin Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:56:51 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93981 Bill, your excitement about Russia is very similar to the excitement of many Americans who visited Russia in the early 1990s -- they saw a sea of possibilities and were impressed by the ingenuity and resourcefulness of post-Soviet people. Many of the hopes have been dashed since then, despite Russia's advances on the economic front in the early 2000s. I hope your hopes won't follow a similar fate. A prosperous Russia that promotes free enterprise could bring a lot of value to the world at large. Bill, your excitement about Russia is very similar to the excitement of many Americans who visited Russia in the early 1990s — they saw a sea of possibilities and were impressed by the ingenuity and resourcefulness of post-Soviet people. Many of the hopes have been dashed since then, despite Russia’s advances on the economic front in the early 2000s. I hope your hopes won’t follow a similar fate. A prosperous Russia that promotes free enterprise could bring a lot of value to the world at large.

]]> By: Bill Aulet http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93975 Bill Aulet Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:14:39 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93975 Clearly this article has stirred up a lot of passion from the emails I have gotten which is good (like Katya's email). A few comments based on the feedback that I should add: 1. We had limited data from which to deal with. 2. Moscow does not represent all of Russia like NYC represents all of the US. 3. The people we dealt with were primarily less than 30 and there is a whole generation from the USSR where they were forced to be very compliant (i.e., not argumentative) and not show initiative. It had been the opposite problem that we saw. We were told about this but it was not evident in our week long experience. 4. I have no interest to argue politics. I just thought it was very interesting and a different perspective than we see or think sitting in Boston. It was just an observation. 5. At the end of the week, we had a much deeper appreciation and understanding of the new Russian style and psyche. It is also a very interesting business opportunity. So we did get a much more nuanced view than we had before we left (we never expected bears in the streets) and it certainly stoked our curiousity and emotions to learn more in the future. Great week. Clearly this article has stirred up a lot of passion from the emails I have gotten which is good (like Katya’s email). A few comments based on the feedback that I should add:
1. We had limited data from which to deal with.
2. Moscow does not represent all of Russia like NYC represents all of the US.
3. The people we dealt with were primarily less than 30 and there is a whole generation from the USSR where they were forced to be very compliant (i.e., not argumentative) and not show initiative. It had been the opposite problem that we saw. We were told about this but it was not evident in our week long experience.
4. I have no interest to argue politics. I just thought it was very interesting and a different perspective than we see or think sitting in Boston. It was just an observation.
5. At the end of the week, we had a much deeper appreciation and understanding of the new Russian style and psyche. It is also a very interesting business opportunity. So we did get a much more nuanced view than we had before we left (we never expected bears in the streets) and it certainly stoked our curiousity and emotions to learn more in the future. Great week.

]]> By: katya http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93948 katya Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:56:29 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93948 Bill, it was very interesting to read the impressions of an American's first trip to Russia. This gave me the opportunity to see Russia through your fresh eyes (I've been living in the US for the last 15 years). I am puzzled by some of your impressions: you are surprised to see normal life and normal people on the streets as if you were expecting to see bears roaming the streets of Moscow. I might be biased given my Russian heritage, but the new Russia is much more similar to the US, than it is different. It is also more similar especially as compared to other former USSR countries, Asia and other parts of the world. It is also similar to the US when some of its citizens are trying to justify "strong leadership" that can help them deal with the modern issues of corruption, erosion of values, underdevelopment, etc. These voices exist but do not represent the majority's view: not unlike George W Bush is being revered by certain US circles while considered war criminal and mass murder by the majority of the rest of the world. While the role of Stalin is being discussed in Russia, in Mongolia the authorities are basing the whole new national identify on Gengis Khan, the strong leader uniting Mongolia and creating a Mongolian nation, who is considered by the West as the cruelest and blood thirsty killer of many peoples. In the capital of Mongolia they have a DC Lincoln-like monument for Gengis Khan on the main square, the airport bears his name, and do national vodka and beer. His atrocities are not even mentioned in history book for the next generation. The new Russia is more nuanced than you had the opportunity to experience during your visit and I hope it touched your heart to be curious about it from now on. Bill, it was very interesting to read the impressions of an American’s first trip to Russia. This gave me the opportunity to see Russia through your fresh eyes (I’ve been living in the US for the last 15 years). I am puzzled by some of your impressions: you are surprised to see normal life and normal people on the streets as if you were expecting to see bears roaming the streets of Moscow. I might be biased given my Russian heritage, but the new Russia is much more similar to the US, than it is different. It is also more similar especially as compared to other former USSR countries, Asia and other parts of the world. It is also similar to the US when some of its citizens are trying to justify “strong leadership” that can help them deal with the modern issues of corruption, erosion of values, underdevelopment, etc. These voices exist but do not represent the majority’s view: not unlike George W Bush is being revered by certain US circles while considered war criminal and mass murder by the majority of the rest of the world. While the role of Stalin is being discussed in Russia, in Mongolia the authorities are basing the whole new national identify on Gengis Khan, the strong leader uniting Mongolia and creating a Mongolian nation, who is considered by the West as the cruelest and blood thirsty killer of many peoples. In the capital of Mongolia they have a DC Lincoln-like monument for Gengis Khan on the main square, the airport bears his name, and do national vodka and beer. His atrocities are not even mentioned in history book for the next generation. The new Russia is more nuanced than you had the opportunity to experience during your visit and I hope it touched your heart to be curious about it from now on.

]]> By: Nick Sinilov http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93784 Nick Sinilov Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:50:41 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93784 Bill, thank you. Great article. Probably not the best season to visit Moscow, though. I'm glad you saw my teachers Howard and Peter alive and on their way back to Boston - we missed them in Managing in Adversity class here at MIT Sloan... Regarding "Russians feel compelled to argue" What do you mean?! - just kidding Thanks Nick Bill, thank you. Great article. Probably not the best season to visit Moscow, though.
I’m glad you saw my teachers Howard and Peter alive and on their way back to Boston – we missed them in Managing in Adversity class here at MIT Sloan…
Regarding “Russians feel compelled to argue” What do you mean?! – just kidding

Thanks
Nick

]]> By: Eduard Viladesau http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93778 Eduard Viladesau Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:27:04 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93778 Bill, A brilliant article! This must have been a fascinating experience. The fact that you've been teaching entrepreneurship courses in so many different countries and cultures clearly allows you to have a balanced and integrated perspective! Like Rob, I also hope that you'll be able to bring this perspective to the MIT Entrepreneurship Review when we launch it at the beginning of February. It will be a great addition to the ecosystem to have you on board with us and also writing for Xconomy! Eduard Bill,
A brilliant article! This must have been a fascinating experience. The fact that you’ve been teaching entrepreneurship courses in so many different countries and cultures clearly allows you to have a balanced and integrated perspective!
Like Rob, I also hope that you’ll be able to bring this perspective to the MIT Entrepreneurship Review when we launch it at the beginning of February.
It will be a great addition to the ecosystem to have you on board with us and also writing for Xconomy!
Eduard

]]> By: Bill Aulet http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93766 Bill Aulet Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:14 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93766 Sergey Nikolenko, I think the students that will be here in August have a strong understanding of the Russian market and what will work there and how. In addition, they will be MBA students so understand the fundamentals of business. Many of them are entrepreneurs already in their careers but have not scaled the companies to more than 10 (with one exception). They are very strong on the technical side and not as strong on the sales and marketing. They are on the young side for MBAs but all have some work experience. They have a terrific work ethic. I know however from the emails I have gotten that they are checking this over in Russia so I will let them respond and tell you more specifically and directly what skills they have. Dmitry and crew, would you please respond directly? Bill Sergey Nikolenko,
I think the students that will be here in August have a strong understanding of the Russian market and what will work there and how. In addition, they will be MBA students so understand the fundamentals of business. Many of them are entrepreneurs already in their careers but have not scaled the companies to more than 10 (with one exception). They are very strong on the technical side and not as strong on the sales and marketing. They are on the young side for MBAs but all have some work experience. They have a terrific work ethic.

I know however from the emails I have gotten that they are checking this over in Russia so I will let them respond and tell you more specifically and directly what skills they have.

Dmitry and crew, would you please respond directly?

Bill

]]> By: Howard Anderson http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93762 Howard Anderson Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:43:41 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93762 Accurate Bill but would add "Imagine a country where Sergey and Brin would be cool guys".... "Imagine a country where they tell you that your are full of crap BEFORE you speak"..."Imagine a country where you have a line item for "payoffs, bribery, influence" in your business plan". All in all, good week and enjoyed it. Accurate Bill but would add “Imagine a country where Sergey and Brin would be cool guys”…. “Imagine a country where they tell you that your are full of crap BEFORE you speak”…”Imagine a country where you have a line item for “payoffs, bribery, influence” in your business plan”. All in all, good week and enjoyed it.

]]> By: Sergey Nikolenko http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93755 Sergey Nikolenko Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:44:48 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93755 Bill, Thank you for verifying Russia has a lot of business opportunities. How attractive do you think the students will be for local businesses in August 2010? Which industries do they reprsent or what kind of interests might they support? Bill,

Thank you for verifying Russia has a lot of business opportunities. How attractive do you think the students will be for local businesses in August 2010?

Which industries do they reprsent or what kind of interests might they support?

]]> By: Irina Starikova http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93744 Irina Starikova Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:44:48 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93744 Bill, Your comment about Russians being argumentative was the biggest surprise for me and naturally (being a Russian myself) I first wanted to disagree. Yet, after some thought, I can see why your students debated so much in class. They are the young business elite who all should have had very successful careers and developed well-founded beliefs about how businesses and startups should work. It is only natural for them to critically evaluate everything you had to share when teaching and argue whenever they felt it was not matching with their prior experiences. Irina Bill, Your comment about Russians being argumentative was the biggest surprise for me and naturally (being a Russian myself) I first wanted to disagree. Yet, after some thought, I can see why your students debated so much in class. They are the young business elite who all should have had very successful careers and developed well-founded beliefs about how businesses and startups should work. It is only natural for them to critically evaluate everything you had to share when teaching and argue whenever they felt it was not matching with their prior experiences.
Irina

]]> By: Bill Aulet http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93739 Bill Aulet Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:04:14 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93739 Uri, Great to hear from you. It is a great market opportunity for sure but somethings do need to change -- like not requiring a special line on your P&L for bribes. But it will. Bill Uri,
Great to hear from you. It is a great market opportunity for sure but somethings do need to change — like not requiring a special line on your P&L for bribes.
But it will.
Bill

]]> By: Bill Aulet http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93738 Bill Aulet Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:02:42 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93738 David, Will take you up on your offer. Vinit, Thanks for the perspective. There are a lot of smart people over there and it is changing very, very rapidly from what everyone said. Soon it will be like any other European city for business (or very close). For business it is great that things are converging but it is sad in many ways for tourists. Bill David,
Will take you up on your offer.

Vinit,
Thanks for the perspective. There are a lot of smart people over there and it is changing very, very rapidly from what everyone said. Soon it will be like any other European city for business (or very close). For business it is great that things are converging but it is sad in many ways for tourists.

Bill

]]> By: Bill Aulet http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93737 Bill Aulet Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:59:00 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93737 Rob, No worries. I will continue to write for Xconomy and also write for the MIT Entrepreneurship Review. They really address two different markets with different rythmns and different material. Xconomy is a daily rythmn and the MIT Entrepreneurship Review, as I understand it, will be more of a weekly rythmn with an ability to dive deeper into issues. Both have valuable roles in promoting the ecosystem. While people may well read both, the topics and content will be different. Good question. Looking forward to MIT Entrepreneurship Review. When do you plan to launch? Rob,
No worries. I will continue to write for Xconomy and also write for the MIT Entrepreneurship Review. They really address two different markets with different rythmns and different material. Xconomy is a daily rythmn and the MIT Entrepreneurship Review, as I understand it, will be more of a weekly rythmn with an ability to dive deeper into issues. Both have valuable roles in promoting the ecosystem. While people may well read both, the topics and content will be different. Good question. Looking forward to MIT Entrepreneurship Review. When do you plan to launch?

]]> By: Uri Mariash http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93731 Uri Mariash Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:25:37 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93731 Bill, Great stuff. It was really interesting to read your impressions on Russia. I agree with you about the culture in Russia and feel that it might be challenging for international companies to operate in Russia without the right guidance. I've been traveling to Russia recently for work and found the business environment to be very different from the U.S but at the same time it's a huge market that can't be overlooked. Bill,

Great stuff.

It was really interesting to read your impressions on Russia. I agree with you about the culture in Russia and feel that it might be challenging for international companies to operate in Russia without the right guidance.

I’ve been traveling to Russia recently for work and found the business environment to be very different from the U.S but at the same time it’s a huge market that can’t be overlooked.

]]> By: Rob Lemos http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93728 Rob Lemos Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:56:34 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93728 Bill, Great insight and perspective on Russian B-school education as well as the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Perhaps their quarrelsome nature will indeed produce a more creative commercial model. By the way, do you intend to write for the MIT Entrepreneurship Review when it launches this spring? MITER has some outstanding support around Boston and is looking to do something that might complement Xconomy. Bill,
Great insight and perspective on Russian B-school education as well as the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Perhaps their quarrelsome nature will indeed produce a more creative commercial model.

By the way, do you intend to write for the MIT Entrepreneurship Review when it launches this spring? MITER has some outstanding support around Boston and is looking to do something that might complement Xconomy.

]]> By: Vinit Nijhawan http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93716 Vinit Nijhawan Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:34:42 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93716 Bill, reminded me of my several trips to the Soviet Union and then Russia from 1988-2001 when I was at Payload Systems and we negotiated a program to conduct protein crystal growth research on their space station. I have heard that Moscow has completely changed but from your description, not that much! It was clear back then that people from the Baltics would become entrepreneurial since they spent only one generation under communism. People in Russia were two generations away from mercantile thinking and my feeling was that it would take them a while. I did pick up one idea from them and that was to mutually sign-off on meeting minutes. It really made communication much better. Bill, reminded me of my several trips to the Soviet Union and then Russia from 1988-2001 when I was at Payload Systems and we negotiated a program to conduct protein crystal growth research on their space station. I have heard that Moscow has completely changed but from your description, not that much! It was clear back then that people from the Baltics would become entrepreneurial since they spent only one generation under communism. People in Russia were two generations away from mercantile thinking and my feeling was that it would take them a while.

I did pick up one idea from them and that was to mutually sign-off on meeting minutes. It really made communication much better.

]]> By: Dave Gowel http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/11/23/report-from-the-russian-entrepreneurial-front/comment-page-1/#comment-93711 Dave Gowel Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:20:40 +0000 http://www.xconomy.com/?p=51899#comment-93711 Bill: Loved your article. I’ve taught LinkedIn to over a thousand people, and of those, only one guy tried to go toe-to-toe with me in front of 70 biz leaders on why he thought LinkedIn was going to be a dot com bust and why I was wasting my time teaching it: a Russian (and a friend!) named Anton. Sign Clearly Creative up for the reciprocal visit next year. Bill: Loved your article. I’ve taught LinkedIn to over a thousand people, and of those, only one guy tried to go toe-to-toe with me in front of 70 biz leaders on why he thought LinkedIn was going to be a dot com bust and why I was wasting my time teaching it: a Russian (and a friend!) named Anton. Sign Clearly Creative up for the reciprocal visit next year.

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