Recently I stayed at a hotel belonging to Loews network – a large network of good hotels. In the evening I went to the SPA and in between going in and out of the sauna I was looking through a pretty interesting corporate magazine. Randomly saw an article about the best three writers in the world that are recommended to be read. The first one in the list was J.M.G.Le Clezio, Nobel laureate for literature in 2008. Second place was Lyudmila Ulitskaya with her novel «Medea and Her Children». According to one American expert, Ulitskaya’s works are elegant prose in the best traditions of realism in the Russian literature. It is pleasant to hear that modern Russian writers are one of the best in the world.

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
Dear Boris! What, in your opinion, do Russian entrepreneurs and the government should do to make medium sized business competitive on the world market?

Boris Nemshich, CEO of the group of companies «VimpelCom»
Konstantin, Russian business can easily be competitive on the world market. Undoubtedly, there are administrative barriers in terms of export and import of goods and services. I see great potential in Russia, especially in IT and telecom industries.

Ъ-Online, 04/20/2010

Konstantin Smolentsev Which coordinated actions, in your opinion, the Accounting Chamber has to realize together with other government chambers to increase trust of international business towards the RF, increase investment appeal of the country in the long-term?

Sergey Stepashin What does favorable investment climate consist of? First of all it is defined by simple, understandable, and friendly to business laws, effective government and market institutions, which protect the rights of investors. That, among other things, requires strict control over the implementation of government obligations within government-private projects and simultaneously – reasonable level of control over operators of such projects, using budget money and government resources or preferences. The Accounting Chamber has long been fighting for decrease of control pressure on business. For that, it is necessary to create a united system of financial control, clearly differentiate the powers of external and internal, that is departmental control. This system should be based on uniform criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of budget expenditures, government policies and programs. No less importance have such benchmarks as the quality of state and municipal government, quality of market institutions. The Accounting Chamber is planning to increase in its share of audit the qualitative assessments, including analysis of the views of entrepreneurs as consumers of public services, and business leaders, who are a subject to state regulations. Regulations should support economic growth and development of competition, not corrupt business, decreasing business activity.

Ъ-Online, 04/20/2010

It’s been a while since I flew in the «vomit» of the Soviet aviation industry – YAK-40K.

The level of comfort for passengers (i.e. people) this piece of technology (my tongue does not even want to call it a modern airplane) can be only compared to another masterpiece of the Soviet period – apartments during Khrushchev. Or am I spoiled by Boeings and Airbus?

And what’s interesting is that service reflected the airplane. Even though on other flights of the same company, but using different planes, service is much higher.

Being defines consciousness?

I also did not expect that together with the President of the Russian Federation so many different people would arrive at Khanty-Mansiysk. A lot of people! And very different! In nutshell, I really had no time to pay attention to biathlon. Although I was secretly hoping to take a sneak peek of the international competition and the infamous track for at least 30 minutes. But problem with hotels. I couldn’t even accommodate two colleagues from a famous foreign venture fund who flew in – there was not one available spot. Had to drive at night 120 km into the taiga to a hotel. Exotic for foreigners! :)

Undefined reaction by the business sphere has caused the President’s decision about appointing a project manager in Skolkovo.

There is something to think about after this day…

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

"To photograph is to hold breath, when all our abilities act together before escaping reality. Then capturing an image becomes a big physical and intellectual joy» (Henri Cartier-Bresson)

Konstantin Y. Smolentsev
http://smolentsev.com

A true holiday was given to me by my daughter Daria and her friends Nina and Robert. They invited me to Robert’s studio – Uboat Studio’s, for a rehearsal of his band «Machine Messiah». Amazing vocals on Robert’s behalf! Interesting rock-compositions and ballades! Talented young musicians! Huge amount of positivity, drive and emotions! Long live rock ‘n’ roll!