Moscow first visits

First Round of meetings on Thursday in Moscow brought some interesting insight. Our first meeting was with the Economic, Political and Commercial directors from Dept of Commerce and Dept of State at the US Embassy. Once again due to the heavy security of embassy's, especially in Russia due to the "bug" incident years back, we were not allowed to take cameras or phones in. Bu here is a quick shot from outside. It was interesting to hear the various different takes on the US situation currently with Russia in relation to the WTO, our current war as well as other issues such as North Korea etc... What was most interesting was to hear how many opinions from within the Dept of State differed on the Political and Economic sides--Especially in relation to Putin and Medvedev. They did provide quite a bit of insight into doing business in Russia, doubt I'm bringing a start up here anytime soon.

In between meetings, we did seven loops around Moscow trying to get to lunch. (Not for sightseeing, they just don't have stoplights and you can't make left turns...Kids...BIG BEN, Parliament). The restaurant prepared some traditional beef stroganoff and potatoes that was really good except the portions were small, looks like a panini snack before dinner.

The second meeting was at Aurora Capital with James Cook. This was very interesting as he is a VTech Alum and has been living and doing business in Russia since the early 90's. As a successful private equity firm he had alot of insight into the in's and out's of truly doing business in Russia. I think that he was much more straight forward and honest about the methods of marketing, sales, labor, corruption etc. in comparison to the Embassy. Much of this may have to do with the fact that he is truly on the "front lines" in his own business as they say, as opposed to working for the US govt. James was a very motivational and driven leader easily seen through his tremendous success.