The session ‘Things You Won’t Find in Business Textbooks’ was organized by the All Russia Public Organization Delovaya Rossiya (Business Russia) as part of Youth Enterprise Day at the Russian Investment Forum. It was an informal conversation between successful businessmen, members of the investment community and beginning entrepreneurs. The more experienced colleagues spoke about their approach to doing business.

According to Alexander Elinson, General Director of the Electron research and production company, what distinguishes successful entrepreneurs in the first place is their strong motivation and ability to take risks without being satisfied with what has already been achieved.

For his part, Andrey Pavlov, Founder and President of the Zenden Group, believes it is much more difficult and interesting to work in Russia than in many other countries and often it is entrepreneurs themselves who stand in the way of Russian business. “One has to look for niches without excessive competition,” the businessman recommended.

Having pointed out certain problems faced by the Russian economy recently, Mr. Pavlov stressed the need to develop “an economy of consumer patriotism”, that is, to buy domestic products that are no worse than similar products made abroad.  

Alexander Rudik, Head of the Committee for Professional Education and Training at Delovaya Rossiya (Business Russia), urged young businessmen “not to fear the authorities”. Though at first glance it might seem that representatives of the authorities “speak their own language”, in fact you “have to be friends and work with them”.

The final part of the debate was devoted specific successful business cases and opportunities for further cooperation.