Have asked in an interview of A. Buchelnikova (Vsluh.ru) question to Igor Mann about blogs. I was interested in his PERSONAL opinion: applicability and use of blog-sphere – it is space for personal diaries, opinions, free thoughts or an instrument for promotion of business interests?

How sincere and fully Igor have answered my questions – is for you to judge:

A.B. – Konstantin Yurievich Smolentsev from Moscow is asking: «Dear Igor! How effective are blogs of employees for business promotion? Is it ethical? Is there a substitution of idea of publication of personal opinions, diaries, impressions to direct advertising of business or a product by interested employees?»

 I.M. – I think that blogs are a very effective marketing tool. For the problem, noticed by Konstantin Yurievich, not to occur, it is useful to orient on certain rules and laws, which are, for example, exposed in book….of publisher – «…»

 (Names are censored for unsanctioned advertisement)

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Today I have participated in a mass in Christ the Saviour Orthodox Sobor, parish of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. It is located in the heart of Ottawa and, simultaneously, right in the center of China town of Canada’s capital :) 

It was my first time in an Orthodox church where the mass was carried out in English, French, Russian, Ukrainian and old Slavic languages.

There were many people of various nationalities: Americans, Russians, Ukrainians, Canadians, Moldovans, …of all ages – from little to old, entire families, a lot of young people.

It was atmosphere of openness, spirituality, tolerance, friendliness…

Perhaps then the World has Belief, Hope and Love!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

8th ANNUAL CHARITY AUCTION with Vladislav Tretyak RAISED A RECORD SUM OF $127,000 USD for the benefit of Children's, Social and Family Institutions in Saratov and Russian regions!
(http://www.themoscowtimes.com/arts/2009/02/13/374514.htm)

It’s a pleasure that we also contributed to that :)

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Recently was flying above Greenland. Dazzling white covered in snow peaks of mountains, cutting through snow-white clouds…

Moscow.
State Kremlin Palace.
Grigory Leps.
Voice.
Energy.
Nerve.
Humor.
Inimitableness.
Man.
Thank you!!!

On February 5^th – 8^th Annual Charity Silent Auction Cocktail with hockey legend Vladislav Tretyak has been carried out.

Organizers of the 8^th Annual Charity Silent Auction were Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association (CERBA) together with Vladislav Tretyak Foundation and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Evolution of the auction, since it was first held in 2002, has been outstanding: our first event in 2002 garnered over USD 5,000 and the most recent 2008 event gathered over USD 122,000 for the benefit or several recipient. The many organizations that we have already helped with our sponsors’ generous assistance include: Children’s Hospitals, Social Shelters for Children and Teenagers, Orphanages, Special Olympic Committee, Indigenous Saami community Kildin, and Ronald McDonal House Charities, Saint-Petersburg Amputee Ice Hockey Federation, All-Russia Society of People with Hearing Impairments, senior homes, and social centers in Saratov, Siberia, Tver, Moscow and Saint-Petersburg.  

Auction lots and prizes: Diamond Gold Ring commemorating Russian team winning World Hockey Championship 2008, paintings, autographed hockey jerseys by the Russian team – World Champion 2008, autographed hockey jerseys of Canadian legend Gordie Howe, dinner with Vladislav Tretyak, dinner hosted by Canadian Ambassador, Canadian furs, airline tickets, luxurious hotel stays and exquisite dinners and as well as many items of cultural interest for Canadians and Russians!     

This time, actually, just like always, atmosphere was very warm at the Auction!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Recently had a pleasure to see a spectacle by Kirill Serebrennikov «Fiagro. Events of one day» with Eugene Mironov and Liya Ahedzhakova.

Don’t want to judge the spectacle itself, but Mironov’s and Ahedzhakova’s play impressed me so much, I was in a great mood at least for three days… So talented!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com  

Have finished reading the book by J. M. G. Le Clézio «Diego and Frida». Impression….

What interesting is the story of great love, a strong and wise woman. It is weird that Nobel Prize in 2008 was given to an author, who popularized through main characters communist ideals and odious historical personalities. Didn’t see literature value – ordinary documentary biographical description.

All together – mixed feelings…

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com  

In the beginning of every new year weekly «Important out loud» traditionally have asked experts to make conclusions on development of financial sector of 2008 and state its perspectives for 2009.

Konstantin Smolentsev, Ph.D., Academician of IIA, CMC, Chairman of the Board of Directors of IC «SMOLENTSEV and Partners»:

- Don’t want to repeat many of the macro-economical analytical reviews of last year and prognosis for 2009. Just want to say that for our corporation year of 2008 has become very important due to the reason that together with partners we have released «club» bonds on Russian share market – new financial tool to finance average companies. And now I clearly understand that in developed economic conditions this tool is becoming more in demand than in times of stability. Reason – precise target use of attracted resources and voluntary openness of company-emitter with understandable and negotiable for all parties criteria for development.

My strong belief: 2009 is providing thinking businessmen with lots of opportunities. Especially to those heads and shareholders who in times of economical rise have actively worked on corporate construction. In other words, thought not only about invasion of new regional markets and increasing volume of production and sales, but also about the fact that organizational part of business – its management, structure, team, unique market positioning, clear view of future – has to be coordinated with shareholders’ expectations and set goals. By the way, favorable times are coming for shareholders to repay own shares and increase shares in companies. Other side – for raiders it has become easier to capture enterprises, especially, I will repeat myself, those which are not able to work effectively in critical situations and didn’t generate necessary resources to protect their business. 

Without a doubt, in tough conditions of crediting, «second breath» will open on bill market. With one clause: such way of attracting finances will be available only to large companies or for companies, that in previous years consciously have been forming their PUBLIC credit history.

In process of strengthening appeal of cost of actives (moment when investors having significant means cannot resist fallen market prices) dynamics will increase in market of merges and absorption. Other aspect: if before deals were based on strategic thinking, now another reason will be processes of restructuring and consolidation, connected with the crisis situation.

It is expected that approach of investors to strategic investment will be more weighed. From our experience and estimations, sizes of limits and actual presence of financial resources investors have, has insignificantly changed in comparison to last year. What has changed is approach to making a decision on investing. And that change of positions is giving new opportunities to many companies to actively develop their businesses.

Summarizing all said above, I can make a conclusion that in 2009 those will be «riding a horse», who found time and forces to perfection their business.

Conclusion for all (or for those who learn on their mistakes) – only healthy business-organism is capable to resist market epidemics and be competitive.

Author: Alyona Bouchelnikova

Internet-newspaper «Vsluh.ru»

January 23^rd, 2009

http://www.vsluh.ru/news/economics/161162.html

As I have promised, I am sharing my analysis of 2008 and prognosis for business for 2009.

You can take a look at it on my blog or on our website http://en.smolentsev.com/corp/interviews/256.htm

We’ll see what happens in a year…:)

Ouf! For some reason end of last year – beginning of this one – is all about work. Some have voluntary or compelled vacation, but all I have is intense labor watch L. It maybe a good thing though J.

Today I wrote my vision on results of last year and prognosis for business for following year under request of one of respected by me mass media.

If they publish – I will share.

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

In Soviet times in St-Petersburg at Baskin Robbins café maple syrup was poured on ice cream. It was delicious and unusual! It was one of a kind delicacy in USSR! And every time I was in St-Petersburg, I always went to that café. Many years have passed and surprisingly it is rare to find maple syrup in Russian stores or restaurants. I think we have underestimated it. I’m saying this as a fan of this product :).

Maple syrup is made from maple juice. Technology of extracting maple juice is extremely simple, it’s same as the birch one. To produce maple syrup only several kinds of maple trees can be used, grown in Canada and in the North of USA: black, red, silvery and sugar. First written mention of maple syrup was in 1760. In a diet of North American aboriginals maple syrup took a very important place: it was added to porridges, meat and vegetable meals, soups.

Technologies of producing maple syrup are still traditional up until this day: a diagonal cut is made on a maple, insert chute from stainless steel. Collected juice is transferred to «transfer stations», which are located right in the forest, where its then boiled on open fire to evaporate superfluous moisture. Cleanest maple syrup is the result. 

Maple syrup is unique for its qualities: instead of harmful saccharine it contains developed by trees sweet glucose and lots of other good microelements: potassium, calcium, iron and others. Besides that it doesn’t contain fats. The most popular maple syrup is dark-amber color with bright maple taste and aroma.

How to use it?

Maple syrup is a universal product, which can be added to any dish.

More often maple syrup is used:

• when preparing salmon / pork on grill
• pour on ice cream
• added to milkshakes
• added to porridges and muesli
• baked with apples
• used instead of sugar in coffee and tea
• and obviously it is poured on pancakes and crepes

There’s one restaurant in Moscow, where they serve cocktail «London» – yoghurt with Canadian maple syrup. It is not on the menu, it’s only for constant costumers. Why «London»? I don’t know but strongly recommend!!!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

I adore composition by Louis Armstrong & Ella Fitzgerald «SUMMERTIME»! There is something in that music, voices that hypnotize my soul…

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com   

Have you tried «Ice wine»?

"ICE WINE " (German’s call this wine "eiswein") – very expensive, extraordinarily balanced sweet-sour white wine.

Quality ice wine is produced only in Germany, Austria and Canada. They say that pretty good ice wine is also produced in Moldova.

Ice wine is one of a kind wine in the world, which is made of grapes, which naturally freezes on a rod after first winter frosts, no less than sever degrees below zero.

It is necessary to collect and wring out grapes very quickly, literally a couple of hours before sunrise, otherwise accumulated in grapes ice will melt; water component won’t stay in pressing machine, and will dilute viscous, sweet juice – a syrup which "does" ice wine. Speaking of which, it’s rich with mineral substances, acids, vitamins, glucose and fructose.

Ice wine consists of an average amount of alcohol (9-12%), significant maintenance of sugar (150-25 grams per liter) and high acidity (10-14 g/l).

Many find that it smells like frosty freshness, but it tastes like honey.

Uniqueness of this wine is in its taste. The extraordinary manufacturing techniques make it possible to produce wine with the best balance between thin fruit taste with fresh sourness and sated sweetness.
To produce 350 ml of such wine it takes 13-15 kg of grapes. From 50 tons of grapes only 2 tons of wines are produced.

Usually ice wine is produced from Riesling or Vidal grades.

And I have tried several grades of Canadian ice wine! It’s deliiccoouusssss! :)

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Dear Friend!

Certain moments in life one wants to remember. Precisely – one’s view on certain moments. Perhaps, share them with close people. Although… through my view some unknown to me people become close and well-known.

I shall not elaborate anymore,
I will just share…  http://en.smolentsev.com/corp/hobby/  

Always yours,

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com   

New Year has finally come!

Main traditional topic of following two-three weeks is who, where and how have celebrated the holiday? I wanted to go to Niagara Falls. Even though I’ve been there before. Been there in the summer. Incredible beauty, hypnotizing. Niagara Falls is a pretty small town on its own, obviously wanting to be called Las Vegas’ little brother. M-yeah… but they are so different! It’s a pleasure to notice that you can hear much more of Russian speech on streets. And the falls are grandiose in the summer and winter. Sound, tons of falling water, power! Rainbow in the fog of water drops…. Smoke above the water, suddenly becoming a huge fog with freezing rain and so suddenly disappearing… Iced handrails, branches of trees… And I don’t even know, if it is necessary to light the falls at night or the impression is stronger from the moon light on the water? I’m closer to the natural way. It seems like sitting at the hotel window with a glass of champagne I could do not for couple of new year’s minutes and hours, but for a really-really long time… Infinity has no holidays…  And it’s such a holiday – infinity!  

P.S. Photos will be placed in my photo gallery very soon – http://en.smolentsev.com/corp/hobby/. So pop in!

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

Dear friends!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Following year will be interesting, a lot of things are going to change – priorities, views, leaders… I want to wish you to notice and realize all those opportunities that Life gives us. Wish for us to be more open, more positive, in harmony with ourselves. For us to SEE and HEAR each other. For our faith to guide us through life! Kindness to all of us and love!

Till we meet again!

Always yours,

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev

Friends, employees and colleagues congratulate Chairman of the Board of Directors of IC «SMOLENTSEV and Partners», Ph.D., Academician of IIA, CMC, Konstantin SMOLENTSEV with accession into Association of Independent Directors (AID)!

Association of Independent Directors (AID) is a professional organization, uniting Russian and International corporate directors and experts in sphere of corporate management.

Mission of AID: assistance to Russian joint-stock companies to increase efficiency of their activity by implementing advanced work experience of corporate directors. 

Members of AID are independent directors from companies like: Mechel, AKB «Megprombank», «Norilsk Nickel», Wimm-Bill-Dann, JSC «SUEK», Apteka Holding, JSC «TMK», JSC «LUKOIL», JSC «Baltika», JSC «Russian Railways», JSC «TGK 10», JSC «VimpelCom», JSC «Severstal», JSFC «Sistema» and others.

«Institute of independent directors has really been developed in Russia, and has taken a worthy place in a system of corporate management. Not accidentally, government this year decided to implement independent directors in government owned companies, companies with government’s participation. And the fact that these directors vote without instructions, at own discretion, means that institute has been recognized». (Aleksandr Shohin, independent director of JSC «TMK», JSC «LUKOIL», JSC «Baltika», JSC «Russian Railways», JSC «TGK 10») 

«Independent directors play the most important role today. In conditions of uncertainty companies expect, that independent directors will take an active position and will become leaders in the process of overcoming hard period. Independent directors have to actively work in boards of directors and help management chose right development direction of the company, to successfully overcome financial crisis.» (Aleksandr Ikonnikov, Chairman of supervisory council of Association of Independent Directors)

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com