My next teaching assignment here in Saratov is somewhat different in nature than my experience last month with the International Business Administration Program.
I am now teaching a one month seminar on entrepreneurship and business planning in what is called a "Presidential Program". My students are all Russian and are all mid-level management types from industry, government, and government associated entities in the Saratov area. Most are in their late 20s and early to mid 30s. They are a sharp, inquisitive bunch, very motivated. Most have been encouraged by their respective employers to participate in the program and many also have their tuition covered by their employer. Professional development Russian style. They have somewhat more limited English language skills and also participate in English for Business classes taught by Professor Ufaeva in the English department at the Institute. For that reason, it has been determined that Masha from the International Office should spend her Saturday mornings interpreting for me and the class.We meet every other Saturday for 2.5 hours at 9am. My first class was this previous Saturday.
I spent the previous week first outlining and then expanding on a lecture outline so that Masha knows what to expect. So the plan is basically to go through the steps one should take in generating entrepreneurial ideas, developing success strategies in research and marketing, briefly touch on some financial exercises, and cover some human resource related tactics.
The students I meet and talk to in the first class come from banking, engineering, energy, logistics, transportation, business incubation, and rural social work. Language is a bit of an issue, but we communicate pretty well. I ask a lot of questions about barriers to entrepreneurial success, ease of acquiring capital etc., I have some particularly enlightening conversations with Dmitry and Alexander, both bankers and a really sharp fellow, Sergei, who is in Natural Gas engineering. I am especially forthright regarding the prospect of developing consulting firms in Russia that can assist foreign entities in navigating the Russian business landscape. The more I look at the world, the more I am convinced that folks who have the ability to speak English and another language(like Russian) are going to be highly desirable employees for global companies. These people are on their way and I go out of my way to encourage them to continue. This is such a "deep" place culturally, like India, and the conceptual skills one has being native, coupled with English is, going to give people like them immense competitive advantage.
We talk a lot about the difficulties of upward mobility in Russia, that the barrier of not having any "contacts" is stifling. It is very much "who you know" here and I find many very motivated people who are starving for opportunity. This network of "connections" here is intertwined with financial well being on such a complex level---it fascinates me. This population is extremely resilient. They are highly educated. They have a global perspective. They are excellent problem solvers. It can only a matter of a few months or years before the world of commerce and investment transforms this society in a positive way----putting aside of course the typical geo-political posturing taking place on both sides of the world.
I go through my standard pep talk on the importance of creativity, on how essential curiosity is, how observational and brainstorming skills are priceless. I implore them to do self audits, to write down ideas, to find their passion. I discuss the infinitely creative outlets that marketing can provide and how enjoyable it is to "dig deep" culturally. I think we have a good class. As happens almost every time I teach, I walk away with the feeling that I am so lucky to do something that I love.
I walk home, my day not yet over. I have been invited by Stepan Orlov, the potential NOVA student for the fall, along with two colleagues in Public Admin, Maxim and Kamiel, to attend a concert that evening that will cover the Sinatra and Edith Piaf songbooks. Description of this excursion to follow soon.
I am now teaching a one month seminar on entrepreneurship and business planning in what is called a "Presidential Program". My students are all Russian and are all mid-level management types from industry, government, and government associated entities in the Saratov area. Most are in their late 20s and early to mid 30s. They are a sharp, inquisitive bunch, very motivated. Most have been encouraged by their respective employers to participate in the program and many also have their tuition covered by their employer. Professional development Russian style. They have somewhat more limited English language skills and also participate in English for Business classes taught by Professor Ufaeva in the English department at the Institute. For that reason, it has been determined that Masha from the International Office should spend her Saturday mornings interpreting for me and the class.We meet every other Saturday for 2.5 hours at 9am. My first class was this previous Saturday.
I spent the previous week first outlining and then expanding on a lecture outline so that Masha knows what to expect. So the plan is basically to go through the steps one should take in generating entrepreneurial ideas, developing success strategies in research and marketing, briefly touch on some financial exercises, and cover some human resource related tactics.
The students I meet and talk to in the first class come from banking, engineering, energy, logistics, transportation, business incubation, and rural social work. Language is a bit of an issue, but we communicate pretty well. I ask a lot of questions about barriers to entrepreneurial success, ease of acquiring capital etc., I have some particularly enlightening conversations with Dmitry and Alexander, both bankers and a really sharp fellow, Sergei, who is in Natural Gas engineering. I am especially forthright regarding the prospect of developing consulting firms in Russia that can assist foreign entities in navigating the Russian business landscape. The more I look at the world, the more I am convinced that folks who have the ability to speak English and another language(like Russian) are going to be highly desirable employees for global companies. These people are on their way and I go out of my way to encourage them to continue. This is such a "deep" place culturally, like India, and the conceptual skills one has being native, coupled with English is, going to give people like them immense competitive advantage.
We talk a lot about the difficulties of upward mobility in Russia, that the barrier of not having any "contacts" is stifling. It is very much "who you know" here and I find many very motivated people who are starving for opportunity. This network of "connections" here is intertwined with financial well being on such a complex level---it fascinates me. This population is extremely resilient. They are highly educated. They have a global perspective. They are excellent problem solvers. It can only a matter of a few months or years before the world of commerce and investment transforms this society in a positive way----putting aside of course the typical geo-political posturing taking place on both sides of the world.
I go through my standard pep talk on the importance of creativity, on how essential curiosity is, how observational and brainstorming skills are priceless. I implore them to do self audits, to write down ideas, to find their passion. I discuss the infinitely creative outlets that marketing can provide and how enjoyable it is to "dig deep" culturally. I think we have a good class. As happens almost every time I teach, I walk away with the feeling that I am so lucky to do something that I love.
I walk home, my day not yet over. I have been invited by Stepan Orlov, the potential NOVA student for the fall, along with two colleagues in Public Admin, Maxim and Kamiel, to attend a concert that evening that will cover the Sinatra and Edith Piaf songbooks. Description of this excursion to follow soon.
