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