Client Testimonials

Oct 03, 2007

Dear Konstantin Yurievich!

Dear colleagues!

First of all, certainly, addressing to you, I recognize that if you’re reading these lines, than we’re definitely colleagues, maybe unfortunately, maybe because of the position in life, but it is not that important. The important part is that you are searching, you worry, something bothers you, you want to change something. And if that is, most likely, not a one minute necessity to solve any problem, then look deeper – most likely that’s in your character and a position in life. Now that’s hard to change. Another question – do you need to? In my opinion, strategy of company development and strategy on personal life development is the same thing, it is necessary to understand, to admit with honesty to yourself, how are you more comfortable, how do you see your future? That is a first and right step! Of course, that is my opinion, but if you do not agree with it, don’t waste your time on reading my feedback.

Portrait. I am 48. Business – agriculture. Undergraduate studies – Leningrad Agricultural Institute, 1981, agriculturist. 1981-83 – ordinary agriculturist. 1984-93 – main agriculturist. 1994-2000 – General Director of same facilities. Married, 2 sons. Honored worker of agriculture of Russia. Finishing postgraduate studies. In general – similar to others.

I started my own business at the end of 2000 without a penny in my pocket, but there were four of us. I had to feed my family and had no other options. We did everything. In 2004 there were 9 branches of the business, but we still had no money. Bad luck all the way. We decided to get a bit more education and in May 2005 graduated from a MiniMBA program. We were lucky and met with Samoukina Natalya Vasil’evna, Kolantay Michael Michaelovich, Smolentsev Konstantin Yurievich, big thank you to them, long years of life and a low peasant bow.

Then we liquidated six branches, leaving only three. Annual profit of 35 million rubles. We understood that we cannot handle business without help. So we invited Konstantin Yurievich to help us build a development strategy for the company. Back then I did not realize what were we going to face. First of all, you should agree that agriculture is not a very attractive branch and to find a consultant is an issue. But again, we were lucky, he said ‘yes’. We have been working for over 2 years now. During that time, I asked him hundred of times: "Are you going to continue working with us?" Understanding, that he can earn money with no problem and much more, we are "farmers", can’t pay a lot, we never have money, and absolutely equal amount of times I heard in reply: "Yes, if you need me."

We have lived through a really hard time, constant inner resistance of the team and shareholders, nobody’s satisfied with constant changes in work, regalement. On the other hand, everyone is satisfied with everything, calm tranquil life. "Let the general solve all the problems and we’ll be close." But general is more unsatisfied with constant trouble time. A lot of people left, including two good guys shareholders. I don’t blame them, they did a right thing I guess, at least they acted honestly.

To help I have to tell you all of this, for you, my colleague, if u haven’t yet got into the "strategy", to understand at least a bit what you will be dealing with when making organizational changes in your company, and that is unavoidable. Maybe my advice to you will help save your time, time of your consultant and of course, money.

"An now – poetry.." – that’s from an anecdote. Kidding.

About a consultant. Honestly speaking, the word "consultant" does not sound right for me, at least not for such business. Helper, adviser? Also not very precise. More like a directing vector, or better – a teacher. You have to make all decisions yourself, and obviously you cant know everything, especially if you have your own company. Every day it lives, moves, it is necessary to make small and big decisions. Using the same instruments, that you know, and agree – they’re not effective all the time. And here is where we need a professional. He is the one helping to save time, eliminate wrong ways, accumulate resources and forces of company, unite them, put them in order, concentrate to solve serious problems.

To see your own competitive advantages is hard, but nine out of ten companies has them. And it doesn’t matter if its small, I am sure of that a hundred percent. Every business is unique, just like every person has his right to shine. There’s only a problem – 99% of people have one more step to achieve their goal, but not reaching it, fall back into daily routine, problems, details.

How much is that vision??? I think every one of you is able to count, all you have to do is isolate yourself from the daily hectic life, sit down and calmly dream. And everything will turn out!

Our company today:

9 enterprises, one in Canada.

In 2005 work on development and realization of a plan for strategic development has started.

In 2006 two bill loans have been realized, divided by two tranches in a total sum of 54 million rubles. Cleared profit for the first time 29 million rubles.

In 2007 investments were attracted in a total sum of 10 million dollars US to build a modern factory. I couldn’t even dream about that two years ago, didn’t have enough imagination. Expected profit in 2007 – 150 million rubles.

In 2008 our little "candle factory" J is supposed to start working. Minimum volume of profit – 300 million rubles per year. And that’s definitely going to happen.

Today there is a preparation for the bonded loan of 150 million rubles. Further – IPO. No other variants. In 2009 our company will be the leader in its branch in Russia and maybe elsewhere.

Obviously, nothing is simple, but we have goals and clear actions, and most importantly confident understanding that our choice was right and that we will be lucky anyways. Life goes on. "Smile, people..smile! "

Colleagues, you have read this monologue – thank you for your patience. I will be very happy if I could help you at least somehow.

I am very grateful to You, Konstantin Yurievich.

With a hope on our further cooperation, with honest respect for You,

Andrey Chalkov,
General Director of GC "AgroIntel".

Jun 17, 2005

"In May 2005 a work on development and implementing the system of Balanced Scorecard has begun in "AgroIntel" Ltd.

In spite of the fact that the company is at the intermediate stage of system engineering, changes from the process are already rather visible.

The greatest effect was achieved from working with the shareholders on the stage of prioritizing personal life goals, which in the future will help avoid cardinal changes in the strategy of the company. "

(V.A. Kalyagin, The Chairman of the Council for Strategic development of the Group of Companies "AgroIntel")

Strategic development and formation of investment attraction of GC "AgroIntel". Development and implementation of management system on the basis of Balanced Score Card – BSC.

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