Good2Work - News & Blog

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Anton Murad — 2008-05-26T13:28:39+04:00

New Yorker writer Malcolm Gladwell looks at why major changes in our society so often happen suddenly and unexpectedly. Ideas, behavior, messages, and products, he argues, often spread like outbreaks of infectious disease. Just as a single sick person can start an epidemic of the flu, so too can a few fare-beaters and graffiti artists fuel a subway crime wave...

To get rich your child should read

Anton Murad — 2008-05-05T19:25:19+04:00

"Let's suppose your goal is to raise a child who will grow up and make The Forbes 400 list someday. How do you feed her brain and nourish her spirit? What secrets of wealth-building do you pour into his pulsing veins?" Rich Karlgaard, Forbes reporter, composed a list of 53 books whish would help your children achieve outsize success.

Second Acts: Career Paths For Worn-Out Executives

Max Golovanov — 2008-04-15T10:37:00+04:00

As considers Wall Street Journal, golfing and gardening aren't as enticing as they once were. While baby boomers are increasingly becoming eligible for Social Security benefits, so far it seems that few are actually putting their working lives to bed. According to an AARP survey, 79% of baby boomers plan to work in some capacity into their retirement years.

More CEOs Are Saying No to Bonuses

Max Golovanov — 2008-04-07T17:51:44+04:00

According to The Wall Street Journal, some corporate leaders believe 'tis better to give back than receive during tough times. More chief executives are spurning bonuses earned for fiscal 2007. Their voluntary cutbacks, most common among financial companies affected by the mortgage meltdown, don't always assuage demoralized staffers and unhappy investors.

Fortune Published Interview with Chrysler's CEO Nardelli and Top Execs

Max Golovanov — 2008-04-04T17:07:25+04:00

The Fortune published interview with Chrysler's CEO Nardelli and top execs LaSorda and Press on Cerberus and Chrysler's turnaround team. Cerberus Capital Management agreed last May to buy 80% of Chrysler from its German parent, then known as DaimlerChrysler. But by the time the deal closed in early August, global credit markets had convulsed and the U.S. economy was slowing down.

Free Video Lecture Podcasts From Top Universities

Max Golovanov — 2008-04-03T13:04:04+04:00

Free video lectures are a great way to learn more about a particular subject because you don't have to put a lot of effort into the experience. There are currently dozens of top universities that provide free video lectures to self-learners around the world. Here's a list of the best.

Comanies Need To Invest Long Term To Overcome Talent Shortage Blocking Corporate Growth

Yury Barzov — 2008-03-28T12:08:38+03:00

In January 2008 McKinsey Quarterly published an article "Making talent a strategic priority". I found there a couple of rather interesting points. First, a strong argument in favor of long term investments in talent sourcing and development. Second, an interesting point that young talent in emerging markets, especially Russia, China and Brazil requires extra preparation to become internationally competitive.

Can Howard Schultz Turn Starbucks Around?

Max Golovanov — 2008-03-24T19:41:39+03:00

Since Howard Schultz took back the espresso machines at the coffee-slinging company he founded, he has preached returning focus to the customers at Starbucks. Last Thursday, he announced a change to the company's U.S. operations that is intended to do that, but at the cost of 600 jobs. Schultz, who was Starbucks' CEO from 1987 to 2000, said the company's heavy emphasis on growth in recent years has blurred its focus on ways to keep customers happy. He shouldered some of the blame for that. With the company faltering amid a sagging economy and increasingly fierce competition from cheaper rivals, his new job is to turn things around -- slowing growth in the U.S. and closing some shops, ramping up expansion overseas, streamlining management and focusing more on things such as new drinks and other products that will draw customers back.

Forbes published this article in November 2007. I found some interesting points in it on Spitzer’s behavior.

Yury Barzov — 2008-03-18T13:38:08+03:00

And he (Greenberg) has told some people he may file a defamation suit or other legal action against Spitzer, "a man who has abused the rule of law." (There might be a statute of limitations problem here.) "I can't tell you how that's going to play out," Greenberg says, "but I'm not afraid of him."

Magnit February Sales Rise 48% on Russian Supermarket Openings

Yury Barzov — 2008-03-17T15:18:53+03:00

March 17 (Bloomberg) -- OAO Magnit, Russia's second-largest supermarket chain, said sales advanced 48 percent in February after opening more stores.

Capital International Buys $175 Million Stake in Unimilk

Yury Barzov — 2008-03-17T13:24:00+03:00

March 17 (Bloomberg) -- Capital International Inc. bought a stake in OAO Unimilk, Russia's second-biggest dairy company, to benefit from surging demand for milk and baby food in the former Soviet Union, Unimilk said.

Baltika to Sell Asahi Beer in Russia as Incomes Climb

Yury Barzov — 2008-03-13T15:13:00+03:00

March 13 (Bloomberg) -- OAO Baltika Breweries, the largest Russian beer company, agreed to make and sell Asahi Breweries Ltd.'s beer in the country as rising incomes enable more drinkers to afford foreign brands.

VimpelCom announces audited twelve month 2007 financial and operating results

Yury Barzov — 2008-03-12T14:48:00+03:00

Moscow and New York (March 12, 2008) - VimpelCom (NYSE: VIP), a leading provider of telecommunications services in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) today announced its financial and operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2007.

You can watch VimpelCom CEO Alexander Izosimov announcing results by following this link.

Modern Times Sells DTV to CTC Media for $395 Million

Yury Barzov — 2008-03-11T14:05:22+03:00

March 11 (Bloomberg) -- Modern Times Group AB, Sweden's largest publicly traded media company, agreed to sell Russian Television network DTV Group to CTC Media Inc. for about $395 million in cash.

Investors' Favorite Female CEOs

Yury Barzov — 2008-03-07T14:56:58+03:00

Of about 1,000 public companies with at least $1 billion in annual revenue in a Forbes database, there are 30 female chief executives. On an annual basis, half the companies on this list have shown shareholders a greater total return than the Standard & Poor's 500.

Barclays Acquires Russia's Expobank for $745 Million

Yury Barzov — 2008-03-03T15:27:00+03:00

March 3 (Bloomberg) -- Barclays Plc, the U.K.'s third-biggest bank, acquired Russian lender Expobank for $745 million in its first overseas acquisition since losing the bidding contest for ABN Amro Holding NV last year.

Medvedev Win May Aid Gazprom, Transneft, Sberbank, Claim Investment Analysts

Yury Barzov — 2008-03-03T15:18:06+03:00

March 3 (Bloomberg) -- Dmitry Medvedev's victory in Russia's presidential election yesterday will benefit the stocks of state-controlled companies including OAO Gazprom, OAO Rosneft, OAO Transneft, and OAO Sberbank, according to Renaissance Capital investment and securities firm's analysis.

Talent Supply Chain Management

Yury Barzov — 2008-02-29T14:47:49+03:00

In a recent article Peter Cappelli, Wharton Professor of Management, proposes to apply the just-in-time principles of supply chain management to current talent management issues.

Forbes Commentary on Russia Today English Language TV Channel

Yury Barzov — 2008-02-28T15:44:46+03:00

‘This 24-hour, English-language channel is broadcast on cable stations in the U.S. and via satellite to audiences around the world. It's been operating since 2005, but as Russia's widely criticized presidential elections approach (and its image abroad is deteriorating) the government-funded channel is evidently increasing efforts to charm its foreign audience.'

Russian Lagrest Cell Operator to Bid for Stake in Ukraine's National Telephone Company

Yury Barzov — 2008-02-26T12:25:42+03:00

Feb. 25 (Bloomberg) -- OAO Mobile TeleSystems, Russia's largest mobile-phone company, will bid for a stake in VAT Ukrtelecom, Ukraine's national telephone company, to further expand beyond the home market.

Russia Attracted Record Foreign Investment in 2007

Yury Barzov — 2008-02-22T18:05:07+03:00

Feb. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Russian foreign direct investment doubled last year to $27.8 billion as the nation's economic expansion fueled a consumer boom that weathered turbulence in global markets.

YUKOS Funeral Manager to Run Bankruptcy of Russian Leading Mobile Handset Retailer’s Affiliate

Yury Barzov — 2008-02-21T19:08:09+03:00

Eduard Regbun, a well-known arbitral manager who was in charge for the bankruptcy of oil company YUKOS, will be in charge of the bankruptcy of the CJSC Svyaznoy a credit finance vehicle of Svyaznoy Group of Companies one of the largest mobile handset retailers in Russia.

VimpelCom BB+ Rating Confirmed Following Successful Golden Telecom Tender Offer Closing

Yury Barzov — 2008-02-21T18:07:27+03:00

Standard & Poor's has confirmed its 'BB+' long-term corporate credit rating on Russian mobile operator VimpelCom. It also equalized the rating of Golden Telecom with that of VimpelCpm.

Baltika Breweries, the leader in the Russian beer market, announces its annual financial results for 2007

Yury Barzov — 2008-02-21T16:08:28+03:00

Despite increased raw material and delivery costs pressures Baltika secured above 20% net profit growth in 2007. According to the company's management statement this result was facilitated by the effects of scale from sales and market growth, development of the leading brands and premiumisation of the portfolio, as well as the remaining $20 million synergy effect from the merger of Baltika, Vena, Yarpivo and Pikra back in 2006.

Vekselberg and Mamut Agreed to Sell Their Share in Golden Telecom to VimpelCom

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-15T16:24:07+03:00

Now VimpelCom will have the minimum 63.3 percent it requires to proceed with its purchase of Golden Telecom for $4.3 billion.

Lenta Considers Equity Sale to Fund Superstores

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-14T15:21:33+03:00

Lenta, the country's third-biggest food retailer, may sell a stake of as much as 20 percent to raise funds for new superstores.

Arbat Prestige May Leave the Market

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-14T15:03:26+03:00

Vladimir Nekrasov, owner of cosmetics retailer, was placed under arrest last week on suspicion of large-scale tax evasion. The arrest may undermine the business, say market experts.

VimpelCom Launches New Services

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-13T14:07:39+03:00

"Video on the handset and video through the Internet, video-on-demand, will certainly be part of the exercise," CEO Alexander Izosimov said.

Alfa Group Buys 50% of St. Petersburg Development Company

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-12T14:53:27+03:00

"The aim of the shareholders is to create a major, modern developer that will become, at the very least, one of the three leading companies on the St. Petersburg market," Igor Litvak, A1 managing director, said in the statement.

Electronics Retailer Eldorado Plans IPO

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-12T14:34:13+03:00

Eldorado may sell as much as 30 percent of the company in an IPO in 2009 or 2010 and may sell a stake to an investment bank beforehand.

Yandex Installs Network Equipment in Europe

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-11T19:11:58+03:00

Yandex announced that it moved into Europe by placing its networking equipment in Frankfurt at an Internet Exchange Point.

Svyaznoy Retail Chain Declares Bankruptcy

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-11T19:06:36+03:00

The breaking news in the Russian mobile retail market is the statement of bankruptcy of Svyaznoy retail chain. The company assures the given incident is unlikely to affect the activity of its retail outlets.

Golden Telecom May Buy Corbina

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-08T18:07:23+03:00

Golden Telecom, the country's largest independent fixed-line operator, said it is in talks to acquire the 49 percent it doesn't yet own of broadband Internet provider Corbina Telecom.

VimpelCom Helps Israeli startup Modu Launch Tiny Phone

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-08T17:46:21+03:00

VimpelCom will help Israeli startup Modu launch a tiny cell phone that pops into interchangeable "jackets" to become a bigger, smarter phone - or into other gadgets to connect to the Internet.

Google Will Use Russian Payment System Rapida

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-08T17:36:31+03:00

Google will use Russian payment system Rapida to sell more context ads in Russian segment of Internet.

Russian Largest Mobile Handset Retailer Euroset May Withdraw from Over-Regulated Markets in CIS

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-07T18:03:48+03:00

Euroset might soon cease operating in countries with strongly over-regulated business environment meaning Byelorussia and Baltic States in particular. At the same time Euroset management plans to expand to other foreign markets. In February it intends to visit India to explore local business environment.

Veropharm Sales Rise 39%

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-07T17:57:14+03:00

Sales reached $140 million last year, Veropharm said in a statement, without giving the year-earlier figure. Prescription medicines and adhesive bandages generated the most revenue, the company said.

Vimpelcom Board Approves Loan of $4.15 bln to Acquire Golden Telecom

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-07T16:52:25+03:00

Vimpelcom Board of Directors has approved a loan of $4.15 bln for its daughter company Lillian Acquisition to acquire Golden Telecom.

Troika Dialog Won the ‘HR-brand’ Award for the Second Year

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-06T19:02:22+03:00

The award is granted to companies, which have the best employer reputation and launch the most successful projects in corporate culture build-up and reputation management.

IBS Appointed the Head of its HR-consulting Practice

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-06T18:39:20+03:00

Elena Danilova is appointed a Head of HR-consulting practice of Russian leading IT solutions and consulting group IBS. Earlier she performed a similar role in Borlas company, which provides motivation, compensation and organizational consulting services.

Wimm-Bill-Dann Will Make Several Acquisitions

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-05T19:09:30+03:00

Wimm-Bill-Dann plans to make several acquisitions in the nearest half of the year, said David Yakobashvili, company chairman. These can be the deals in the CIS market as well, he said.

Gloria Jeans Has Invited Former Adidas Executive

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-05T17:15:45+03:00

Russian leading jeans manufacturer Gloria Jeans has invited former Adidas executive Jasper Zeelenberg on the position of the company president.

CTC Media Makes Large Purchase in CIS Media Market

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-04T19:40:55+03:00

Entertainment television company CTC Media said Friday that it signed a deal to buy a 20 percent stake in Channel 31, Kazakhstan's fourth-largest television network by audience share.

Unilever Returns to Russian Ice-cream Market and Buys Inmarko

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-04T17:54:40+03:00

Unilever comes back to Russian ice-cream market, which left it in 2001. Now it has signed a deal to buy 100% of Inmarko, leader of Russian ice-cream market, which has 16,2% share of the market.

36.6 Will Cut Store Openings This Year

Elias Zinenko — 2008-02-01T12:54:04+03:00

36.6 will add fewer than the 350 outlets it opened in 2007, president Jere Calmes said, without specifying a number.

MegaFon Plans to Lead IPO Next Year

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-31T14:11:35+03:00

MegaFon, the country's third-largest mobile phone company, may sell shares next year in an initial public offering, after a conflict between its shareholders is resolved, a company spokeswoman said Wednesday.

Carlos Ghosn Said Russia May Surpass Germany as Europe's Top Car Market in Two Years

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-31T13:44:55+03:00

AvtoVAZ, the country's biggest carmaker, may have an IPO this fall, Troika Dialog chief Ruben Vardanyan said.

Yandex’s Income More Than Doubled Last Year

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-30T16:58:54+03:00

Though Yandex hasn’t unveil absolute amount of its EBITDA for the last year, experts say it has reached $167 mln. It is $27 mln more than the company planned. In 2006 Yandex’s pure income was $29,9 mln.

Mikhail Fridman Quits as Alfa Bank Сhairman

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-30T13:08:57+03:00

Mikhail Fridman, chairman of Alfa Bank board of directors, leaves his post. The official announcement will be issued within the next few days, Kommersant reports.

Evroset Sales Rose Last Year to $5.6Bln

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-29T19:21:54+03:00

Revenue climbed to a record $5.61 billion, from $4.62 billion a year earlier, Yevroset said in an e-mailed statement. That beat the target of about $5.5 billion that the company set in June. Handset sales increased 4.2 percent to 12.6 million at an average price of $201, or 6.1 percent more than in 2006.

VimpelCom Won’t Interfere in the Plans of Golden Telecom, Izosimov Said

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-29T17:20:52+03:00

"The goal of the deal is to optimize investment and speed up lines of business," Izosimov said in an interview in Davos, Switzerland, where he was attending the World Economic Forum.

News: Baltika Hired a New Sales Vice-President

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-29T17:06:39+03:00

Earlier Sehested was a sales chief in Cadbury Schweppes Eastern Europe. Russia was in the sphere of his responsibility. He also worked in Dandy and Coca-Cola.

News: Euroset Owners Will Sell 25% Share of the Company

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-28T11:23:58+03:00

Today the goal is to attract a minor investor who could help Euroset to structure its business and to prepare for IPO or for sell to strategic investor.

News: Carlsberg Gets Full Control of Baltic Beverages Holding

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-25T17:05:25+03:00

Furthermore, growth is projected to continue on the Russian beer market, but at a declining pace.

News: Yandex Enters Top-10 of Largest Search Engines Worldwide

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-24T19:58:26+03:00

The research company ComScore has published the rating of the largest world search engines. For the first time, according to analysts, the Russian search engine Yandex has entered the top-10. According to ComScore, about 566 mln search requests were made through Yandex in December 2007, which corresponds to 0.9% of all requests worldwide. According to Yandex data the number of requests in December amounted to 587 mln.

News: Russian Standard Vodka Launches a New Brand Distribution in India

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-24T19:53:32+03:00

The company already sells there successfully its brand Platinum. Now has come the time for the next one, Imperia luxury brand.

News: Kaspersky Launches Hosted Service in UK

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-23T15:44:56+03:00

Russian infosec developer Kaspersky Lab is to announce the UK launch of a hosted edge security service, the third European market to which it has extended the operation outside of its home country.

News: IBS DataFort Became a First Russian Company to Implement the Integrated Management System

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-23T12:34:09+03:00

Management system of Russian IT services outsourcer IBS DataFort is recognized as one of the best in Europe, the company said.

News: MTS Subscriber Base Grows by 12.5%

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-23T12:18:55+03:00

In Russia the number of MTS subscribers has amounted to 57.43 mln, which is a 6.21% increase as compared to the similar period last year.

News: MegaFon Sees $1.7 bln Investment in 2008 and Appoints a New Executive

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-22T21:05:31+03:00

Unlisted MegaFon, which ranks behind market leaders MTS and Vimpelcom in terms of subscriber numbers, said in a presentation the investment would expand coverage, improve service quality and introduce new value-added services.

News: Russian Companies Hope to Attract Record Funds Through Global IPOs This Year

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-22T19:06:11+03:00

Russian companies are hoping to attract record funds through global initial public offerings this year, but that doesn't mean investors should oblige all comers, WSJ wrote.

News: Troika Dialog Asset Management Entered Ukrainian Market

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-21T16:29:33+03:00

Troika Dialog’s Ukrainian subsidiary Troika Dialog Ukraine asset management company and pension fund administrator is launched, the group of companies said in the statement. Natalia Kovaleva is appointed as a CEO of the company.

News: MySpace Opened its Russian Version

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-21T15:14:08+03:00

Meanwhile, the resource is available only in test mode: the administration promises many Russian groups and artists to appear on the portal soon. In the near future the network official representation office will be opened in Russia. MySpace next destination point is likely to be Turkey, and then Korea.

News: Wal-Mart May Enter Russia within a Year, UBS Research Assume

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-21T13:28:32+03:00

"We believe expansion into Russia rounds out Wal-Mart's 'BRIC' exposure," UBS analyst Neil Currie wrote in a note late last week.

Is U.S. heading to recession? Dean advises MBA students: Prepare to engage in some missionary selling, to help employers discover your talent.

Yury Barzov — 2008-01-21T13:19:08+03:00

Stock markets in Asia plunged on fears of the U.S. heading to recession. Robert F. Bruner, Dean, Darden School of Business advises MBA students: Prepare to engage in some missionary selling, to help employers discover your talent. He also comments on the systemic nature of financial crisis that helps us to predict what we should expect from the current one.

Blog: Leading from Behind and the Magic of Ubuntu

Yury Barzov — 2008-01-21T11:13:43+03:00

In the most recent newsletter of Egon Zehnder International I found an interesting concept of Harvard business school professors who claim that Western business organizations have much to learn from ‘less conventional’ concepts of leadership explored in the fierce war for talent in the emerging economies. They found a couple of concepts in Africa. I wonder if we can find some in Russia?

News: Kellogg Buys United Bakers Group, Russian Biggest Breakfast Cereal Maker

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-18T17:34:15+03:00

Kellogg announced that it had purchased United Bakers Group, Russian biggest breakfast cereal maker, to take almost complete control of the local market.

News: The First Russian Airways Discounter Sky Express Joined 20 Largest Airlines In a Year

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-18T16:57:09+03:00

The company started flights a year ago. During 10 months of 2007 it has joined 20 Russian largest airlines.

News: X5 Retail Group Wants to Buy Karusel Chain

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-17T19:15:12+03:00

X5 Retail Group, the country's largest food retailer, said Wednesday that it would exercise its option to purchase Karusel, a grocery retail chain with outlets in the country's northwest.

Vimpelcom Arranged a $3.5 Billion Syndicated Loan from 8 Western Banks

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-17T19:00:53+03:00

Vimpelcom, Russia's second-biggest mobile phone firm, has mandated eight banks to arrange a $3.5 billion syndicated loan.

Alfa Capital Partners Became a Shareholder in the Yolky-Palky Russian Restaurant Chain

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-16T19:58:04+03:00

The private equity Fund managed by Alfa Capital Partners (ACP) announced that they have acquired a significant interest in the company which manages the Yolky-Palky restaurant chain, a rapidly growing mid-priced restaurant chain that serves Russian national cuisine. Additional financing was provided by the International Moscow Bank.

Russian Fund Finam Bought 10% in the British Social Network Badoo.com

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-16T14:51:56+03:00

In Runet the project will have to fight for users with such networks as ‘Odnoklassniki.ru’ and ‘Vkontakte.ru’.

News: AFK Sistema Wins India Telecoms License

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-16T13:27:32+03:00

The deal would strengthen Sistema's foothold in one of Asia's fastest-growing telecoms markets.

News: Euroset and X5 Retail Group Entered the Top-250 of the Largest Retailers Worldwide

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-15T18:38:01+03:00

The Russian largest mobile retailer Euroset is 229th, while X5 Retail Group (founded through the merger of Pyaterochka and Perekrestok in May 2006) is 191st in the list.

Blog: I Can’t Do It, But I Can Teach You How To

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-14T20:12:52+03:00

In this short video Tom Peters calls us to search true leaders not among those who has a talent to do some job perfect, but among those who have a talent to lead and motivate.

News: Google Became a Second Biggest Player on Russian Search Market

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-14T19:17:50+03:00

Earlier the second position in Russian segment of internet belonged to Rambler search company. Yandex stays a leader with 54,5% market share. Rambler now has only 15,6%. Yandex’s share decreased a little through the last year from 54,6% to 54,5%.

News: Microsoft Will Invest $10 millions in Retail Chains Worldwide, Including Russia

Elias Zinenko — 2008-01-14T12:25:26+03:00

The launch of brand shops is one of the main tasks for the new Microsoft Russia CEO Birger Stan.

News: Rosinter Restaurants Develop Option Program for Managers

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-29T12:46:46+03:00

Analytics say that the managers’ options will make up about 20% of year’s EBITDA and there is a risk that it will have a negative impact on the company’s profitability.

Blog: Unnecessary Charisma

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-29T10:46:38+03:00

Can you become a leader with no charisma? Answers differ. Irina Sinitsyna, a former CEO of ArbatPrestige retail chain, thinks confesses that she doesn’t have charisma qualities and she’s sure that manager does not need it.

News: 36.6 Buys Siberian Pharmacy Chain

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-28T19:14:04+03:00

The acquisition is a part of a plan to continue expanding, the company said Thursday in a statement.

Father’s no More a Leader

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-28T18:54:21+03:00

Financial Times published a review of the book by Michael Maccoby called The Leaders We Need: And What Makes Us Follow. According to the review, the book is of mixed qualities. Though, there is enough curious analysis of the social changes and their impact on leadership model.

News: Nokia and Huawei Won MegaFon’s 3G Contract

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-28T11:28:21+03:00

MegaFon said it would invest $250 million in the network in 2008, while a Nokia Siemens spokesman said Thursday that they had won a multiyear contract.

Blog: New Leader's Voodoo Kit

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-27T21:44:02+03:00

There’s something particularly magic in charisma phenomenon, which is necessary to obtain for every leader. But what if it’s hard to get but you need it eagerly?

Blog: Leadership Video Quotation Book

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-27T21:24:53+03:00

Some British leadership training company created an ad video with a number of fine quotations concerning leadership. Couldn't stand to put it here.

News: Vimpelcom's Izosimov Will Stay CEO Until 2010

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-27T17:25:45+03:00

Alexander Izosimov, the chief executive officer of Russia's No.2 cellphone operator Vimpelcom, will stay in his job for another two years, according to Reuters.

News: Yandex Named a 2008 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-27T17:14:32+03:00

Yandex, Russia's most popular search engine, has been named a 2008 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, which will hold its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in January.

Blog: Watching Clever and Witty

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-26T21:36:10+03:00

Watching clever people we get cleverer, watching witty people we become wittier, and if those people are in addition are good storytellers, what can be more exciting!

Blog: Wake a Freak Inside You

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-25T18:53:40+03:00

Steve Pavlina, former games computer games developer, now writing a blog, dedicated to self-development, found 10 Stupid Mistakes Made by the Newly Self-Employed. Among them there is a mistake called Sacrificing your personality quirks.

Global Brands Want to Go Blogging

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-25T17:40:01+03:00

Writing corporate blogs turn from compulsory but made to appear as voluntary activity of PR-professionals to their official duty, in which other managers and employees are involved.

Jack Welch in Defence of Gen Yers

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-24T20:20:03+03:00

Management guru Jack Welch in his BusinessWeek column defends young generation from accusations in greed and superficiality:

VimpelCom Buys Golden Telecom for $4.3 billion

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-24T12:23:38+03:00

The deal, which had been widely expected, will better position VimpelCom to diversify services and provide new solutions for its clients, capitalizing on Golden Telecom's strong position in the broadband market, analysts said.

Visuals and Audials On the Go

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-23T11:19:00+03:00

If the majority of learners are visual and auditory, it makes sense why learning online works. Learning from a storyteller via online video is not only an effective way to learn, it’s convenient, inexpensive, and its information can be delivered at any time.

Upstairs from a Fat Man

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-21T19:06:51+03:00

Paul Gram, whom I have cited yesterday, cited yesterday, in his another article, proves that you should choose difficulty as a guide not just in selecting the overall aim of your company, but also at decision points along the way.

Pharmacy Chain 36.6 Strengthens its Positions in Southern Russia

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-20T17:46:17+03:00

Over the past year Pharmacy Chain 36.6 has increased its presence in the region by 2.5-fold and raised its market share in the city of Sochi to 30%.

If You're Productive, What’s Your Price?

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-20T17:31:38+03:00

I think few realize the huge spread in the value of 20 year olds. Some, it's true, are not very capable. But others are more capable than all but a handful of 30 year olds.

Leadership Lesson from a Futuristic Rock Climber

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-20T16:49:08+03:00

Here’s a story on how to succeed by changing your frame of mind. In 1978, Jim Collins, the future author of From Good to Great book, became obsessed with a rock climb called Genesis in Colorado. Once, watching another climber’s failed effort to pass it, he noticed it’s not that impossible.

Rolf Group’s President and COO Matt Donnelli Leaves the Company

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-20T15:28:10+03:00

From the beginning of the next year Nick Hoskins, the senior managing director of the Group, will take his position. Mr Hoskins will be responsible for the company strategy and shareholders relationships.

Today You’re a Mediocrity, Tomorrow – a Leader?

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-19T20:07:35+03:00

Now, research at the London School of Economics may show that leaders are very rarely born. Instead, they are the ones who are willing to make the decision to lead in situations when it is most expected of them.

In a Pool with an Employer

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-19T19:54:51+03:00

Informational interviews are a back-door way of letting employers know you want to work for them when something opens up.

Abraham Linkoln as a Talk-Show Star

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-18T19:28:57+03:00

hose people who lived with him at time said that once he began speaking, got a smile on his face and told stories, this whole vitality came to his face.

Simple Techiques to Inspire and Motivate

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-18T00:16:00+03:00

Only 10% of U.S. Employees look forward to going to work and most point to a lack of leadership as the reason why.

Do You Categorize Your Followers?

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-17T23:18:10+03:00

Here are the types according to Barbara Kellerman as she states it in the HBR article What Every Leader Needs to Know About Followers.

One of Simple Secrets of Leadership from Young Sam Walton

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-17T17:14:44+03:00

Sam Walton, Wal-Mart founder, in his book Made in America. My Story shows an example of an uncommon leadership lesson.

The Four Truths of Storytelling

Yury Barzov — 2007-12-17T15:30:20+03:00

Peter Guber is a business leader and a film producer. In his view storytelling is a key component of success for both leadership and in moviemaking.

To Stick and Inspire

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-14T17:06:00+03:00

We all tell stories every day. Why? “Research shows that mentally rehearsing a situation helps us perform better when we encounter that situation,” Heath writes. “Stories act as a kind of mental flight simulator, preparing us to respond more quickly and effectively.”

I Watched, I Learned, I Managed

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-13T17:05:09+03:00

Online coaching and mentoring wins by one to nil: HBR has published scientific evidence of our ability to develop leadership skills by imitating other people’s actions.

Rosinter and Whitbread Will Open 200 Costa Coffee Stores in Russia Next Year

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-13T10:08:04+03:00

The plan will give Whitbread its first presence in Russia. Starbucks opened its first outlet there in September.

Yandex Will Spend Millions to Create Network Infrastructure in the Russian Regions

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-11T17:49:58+03:00

The move is supposed to help Yandex raise profits from its relevant ads network.

36.6 Pharmacy Chain Will Launch a Hospital

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-11T17:25:56+03:00

Total investments in the projects will be approximately $65 millions. The hospital is to launch its services in a year.

VimpelCom Bids for Volga Region Mobile Provider Smarts

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-10T15:54:54+03:00

SMARTS has 4 million users in Russia and several assets in CIS countries.

Russian Leading Auto Dealer Rolf Group to Enter India in 2008

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-10T13:26:56+03:00

Matt Donnelli, Rolf’s chairman and chief operational officer, said that starting from 2008, the company will sell cars in India in price segment from $25,000 to $40,000.

Russian Cell Operators VimpelCom and MTS Stock Is Traded With a Premium Against Foreign Competitors

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-07T12:37:32+03:00

Russian telecom companies have a large growth potential. In addition, Russian cell companies can grow by foreign acquisitions.

Altimo Starts a Foundation to Invest in Telecom Research and Education Projects in Southeast Asia

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-07T12:29:48+03:00

It is aimed to help promote its image and business in the region.

STS Media Is to Buy Several Film-Production Companies

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-06T17:02:01+03:00

Earlier the STS management said that it is not interested in production business, because the profitability of the production companies is much less than of broadcasting ones.

Four Leading Russian Online Gaming Companies Join into a Holding, Creating Largest Player in the Market

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-06T15:37:06+03:00

The move will allow the participants to formalize a united strategy in regards to their activities and also utilize their combined experience and infrastructure in order to perfect their businesses.

Morgan Stanley Bought 13.33% of Russian Retail Chain Dixy for $114,4 mln

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-06T14:04:40+03:00

The stake is worth $114.4 million based on the shares' closing price of $14.30 on the RTS index.

‘Russian Standard’ Bank Secured Funding During the Crisis

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-06T13:43:43+03:00

The bank is closing a $500 mln secutirization deal ABN Amro and Unicredit to finance its further growth.

Only Resource-Oriented Companies Represent Russia in the BCG’s List of 100 Emerging Giants

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-05T18:07:32+03:00

Chinese and Indian companies range from resource and food to aerospace, automakers and pharmaceutical companies. In Brazil this industry spread is not so rich, but in Mexico and Russia the growing global business is represented only by one or two industries. While in Mexico there are mainly companies producing food products, in Russia they represent only oil&gas, energy and metallurgical sectors.

Euroset Plans to Capture the Market of Mobile Content

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-05T15:12:09+03:00

The retail outlet initiative might encourage not only the other large mobile retailers to enter the given market but the mobile communication operators as well.

VimpelCom Confirms Bid for Golden Telecom, Offers $105 Per Share

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-04T18:43:42+03:00

Industry sources said earlier that VimpelCom had offered to fully acquire Golden Telecom for $100 per share.

Peter Aven Estimated Financial Business of Alfa Group for $10 bn

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-04T16:33:48+03:00

Aven said that Alfa Bank's value is $6,4-7 bn. He estimated AlfaStrakhovanie for $0,7-1 bn. Alfa Capital, assets-managing business, is estimated for $100 mln. Alfa Bank Ukrain has a capital of $375 mln. Total value is $10 bn, concluded Mr Aven.

Troika Dialog Appointed a New Financial Director

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-04T15:33:01+03:00

During the 3 previous years Ekaterina was a financial director of Deloitte & Touche, where she managed the financial department in CIS countries.

X5 Retail Group, Russia's Biggest Supermarket Company, Wants to Buy Ramstore

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-04T13:23:09+03:00

X5 spokeswoman declined to comment on the report, saying that the company is considering all opportunities to acquire Russian food retailers.

Jere Calmes named President at Pharmacy Chain 36.6

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-03T18:49:32+03:00

“My key goals are to maintain and improve the exceptional customer service provided to millions of 36.6 clients and to fulfill our ambitious plans with regard to expanding the retail chain and increasing shareholder value,” said Calmes.

"Russian Standard" Consolidates its Assets

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-03T16:58:15+03:00

The deal is conducted among the moves to consolidate the financial business of the group under the control of the "Russian Standard" bank.

Six Apart Sells LiveJournal to Russian Media-company SUP

Elias Zinenko — 2007-12-03T13:29:27+03:00

This agreement builds on the established relationship between Six Apart and SUP, which entered into a licensing agreement in October 2006 permitting SUP to manage LiveJournal in Russia. The Russian LiveJournal community is second only to the U.S. in number of accounts, and has been influential enough in that country to make "LiveJournal" synonymous with "blogging" in Russian.

Russia's No. 3 Mobile-phone Company MegaFon Starts Using Nokia Software

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-30T19:33:00+03:00

"Nokia Intellisync Wireless Email offers MegaFon a highly scalable platform, allowing them to keep pace with the demands of its fast expanding customer base," says Scott Cooper, senior vice president, Mobility Solutions, Enterprise Solutions, Nokia.

VimpelCom Net Profit Soared 70% in the 3d Quarter

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-30T18:39:44+03:00

In the Russian market quarterly net profit reached $423 mln usd, up from $280 mln.

Pharmacy Chain 36.6 Announced 9 Month Financial Results

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-29T19:30:49+03:00

The Company’s net losses in 9M 2007 totaled US$41.9 million. Net profit of US$41.5 mln in 9M 2006 was primarily attributed to Veropharm’s IPO.

Russian Internet Portal Mail.ru Is Valued at $1 bn - so far the Highest Valuation for a Russian Web Asset

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-29T15:34:03+03:00

The market analysts say Naspers paid a fair price.

Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods, One of the Russia’s Leading Producers of Milk Products and Beverages, Today Announced the Launch of Production of Its Brands in Canada.

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-29T12:22:28+03:00

In partnership with Canadian juice company Wonder Berry, Wimm-Bill-Dann is initiating the making of mors, a traditional Russian juice-based beverage made from fresh berries, in Canada.

5 Russian IT-companies Plan to Launch Social Network for Innovators

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-29T10:58:53+03:00

The project will be named kulibin.org and it is supposed to help 200.000 users and 1.300 Association of Innovations members to communicate with each other.

Vimpelcom Bids for Golden Telecom, Offering $4 bln

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-28T19:45:21+03:00

The analysts say that benefits for Vimpelcom are obvious: the deal could create the largest country’s operator providing communication services of all kinds.

Russian Mobile Operators Will Launch Blackberry Sales Soon

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-27T20:21:38+03:00

Both mobile operators are sure that the demand for Blackberry in Russia will be huge.

Ruben Vardanian, Troika Dialog: “I Value My Company’s Managers’ Ambitions to Become Extra Successful”

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-26T17:42:01+03:00

If you build a partnership where all the partners can influence the decisions, you should create the mechanisms that allow them to become the owners.

Rustam Tariko Plans to Make Russian Standard One of the Leading Global Brands

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-22T19:53:40+03:00

In 2006, the company sold 1,5 mln 9-litre boxes ouside Russia, and plans to raise abroad sales up many times in the coming years.

Troika Dialog President Promised Employees $100 mln in 2012 if the Company Meets the Goals

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-21T18:41:42+03:00

In case if the company succeeds, all Troika employees will receive the money. He suggested that 10% of the workers could become millionaires.

MTS Third-Quarter Profits Are Up 35%

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-21T18:13:20+03:00

The firm said revenues were up 23 percent from a year ago to $2.22 billion, in line with an average forecast of $2.21 billion in a poll of analysts.

Kaspersky Lab and Yandex Are the only Two Russian Technology Ventures among the "Red Herring 100 Global" Finalists

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-21T17:59:23+03:00

Among the finalists there are only 2 technology ventures from Russia: the leading Russian online search company Yandex and Kaspersky Lab, a leading provider of Internet threat management solutions.

Russia's Pharmacy Chain 36.6 Sales Rose by 70.6 Percent Year-on-Year to $592 mln

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-20T19:32:22+03:00

The company also said like-for-like sales were up 28.9 percent in dollar terms from a year ago, helped by higher average receipt at its regional pharmacies.

Richard Branson and Other Business Leaders & Entrepreneurs Support Gen Y Focused Start-up

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-20T14:41:01+03:00

At the launch of ‘Brave New Enterprises’, UK business leaders will engage with successful young entrepreneurs to ask: Why should we care about Generation Y? How will the next generation impact the face of global enterprise and how will businesses cope with this demanding generation entering the workplace?

Top Knowledge Economies Worldwide Are Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-19T17:53:19+03:00

Russia is at the 47th position, India is ranked 101st of 140 countries.

Asia-Pacific Region Is the New Battleground in the Global War for Management Talent

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-19T14:51:40+03:00

Asia’s economic expansion is increasing the demand for experienced executives.

Gen Yers’ Familiarity with the Technology Enables them to be Proactive in Job Search

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-19T14:38:17+03:00

The study found that Generation Y (those aged under 30) are completely comfortable using new methods of communication to research and apply for jobs.

General Electric Leads in the Top Companies for Leaders 2007 Global Ranking

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-16T18:29:55+03:00

Fortune magazine and human resources consultants Hewitt Associates with RBL Group issued a ranking of the world's companies that do the best job of developing strong leaders.

Wealth of India's 40 Richest Doubled During the Last Year, Making Them the Wealthiest Group in Asia

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-16T18:04:56+03:00

Together, the leading foursome of the rank is worth more than the 40 richest Chinese combined.

Google's Plans for Mobile Phone Business Include Running its Own Mobile Network

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-16T13:51:04+03:00

The behind-the-scenes moves illustrate just how serious the Internet giant is about trying to reshape the wireless world.

Veteran Internet Executives Will Coach Early Stage Digital Entrepreneurs and Invest in Their Start-Ups

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-15T18:20:11+03:00

Winners of the next year’s LaunchBox08 contest will tap expertise of the founders and advisers of the prominent companies in the market and receive funding of $25,000 to $30,000.

Growth in Starbucks Sales Revenue has Slowed

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-15T17:27:31+03:00

The concern is that the company has been adding locations so quickly that the new stores are cannibalizing the old ones to the point where the chain can't increase its same-store sales at the rapid pace to which investors have grown accustomed. In the past year, shares of Starbucks have fallen about 37%.

Google: Making the World a Better Place Can Be a Good Way to Earn

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-11-14T19:07:01+03:00

In 2007 Fortune named Google the “Best Company to Work For”. Its rivals say that when they are lucky to find an excellent professional, they certainly found that he or she has been already made a job offer...

During the Last Decade Britain Emerged as a World Leader in the Knowledge Economy

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-14T17:33:24+03:00

Why is Britain doing so well? The Work Foundation’s answer (we are engaging in Europe’s largest-ever knowledge economy inquiry) is that the knowledge economy is a sophisticated supply response to high and growing levels of educated, discerning demand – and that Britain has enjoyed 15 years’ growth of just such demand.

Eco-Friendly Policies Help Companies Attract Young Talent and Increase Productivity

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-14T17:30:33+03:00

"At the end of the day, we are competing with everyone else for the best talent, and this is a generation that is very concerned with the environment," NewPage Chief Executive Mark Suwyn says.

Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Michael Dell Top List of IT Influencers

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-13T14:07:06+03:00

Gates was named by 84% of the participants, Jobs by 73%, and Dell by 53% of CompTIA voters.

Facebook’s New “Social” Ad Technology Has Drawn Mixed Reviews from Internet-Watchers

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-13T13:39:00+03:00

While some analysts have welcomed Facebook’s attempt to develop a revenue model that can justify the hype around social networking, other observers are lamenting the company’s move to transform its users into “fan-sumers” who are encouraged to engage in word-of-mouth marketing on behalf of the site’s advertisers.

Visa Plans $10 Billion IPO

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-12T20:09:17+03:00

While that number is viewed as a placeholder that could change as the event, expected early next year, gets closer, it would still make it the second-largest public offering by a U.S. company.

Many of Those Who Build Plans on Online Ads May Be Disappointed, CEO of Publicis Warned

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-12T18:38:29+03:00

Too many new media companies are chasing too few advertising dollars, one of the advertising industry’s most senior executives has warned, as fresh questions were raised about the fast-rising valuations of prominent online groups.

Monster.com Study: Employers Undervalue Work/Life Balance Initiatives' Impact on Recruitment

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-12T13:30:49+03:00

Study Indicates That Only Half of HR Professionals Believe Work/Life Balance Will Improve Over Next Five Years.

Richard Branson Plans to Float His Virgin Active to Attract £1bn

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-10T21:49:40+03:00

The business, 85 per cent owned by Sir Richard, has been highly successful.

Gary Hamel: We Are on the Threshold of a Post-Managerial Society

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-10T20:55:28+03:00

The outlines of the 21st-century management model are already clear. Decision-making will be more peer-based; and the tools of creativity will be widely distributed in organizations.

Newly released book Millennial Leaders Tells Success Stories from Today's Most Brilliant Generation Y Leaders

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-08T15:10:45+03:00

Newly released book shows people how to communicate and lead across generations, while offering valuable insights into the emerging force that is Gen Y.

MySpace Launches Self-Serve Ad Service

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-07T17:02:21+03:00

MySpace plans to launch a self-serve advertising service targeted to small-business owners, musicians, politicians and others looking to reach MySpace users.

Yahoo Criticized of Cooperating with China Government

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-07T16:49:45+03:00

Mr. Callahan could not say whether there were outstanding demands from the Chinese government for information from Yahoo, or whether Yahoo would react the same today to a demand for information from the Chinese government.

Facebook Announced Behavioral Advertising System

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-07T15:54:57+03:00

A new advertising system allows marketers to target their messages based on the interests of the social-networking site's millions of users, confirming weeks of speculation.

Pharmacy Chain 36.6 Raises $115 mln in Share Issue

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-06T11:21:17+03:00

The firm, which runs more than 1,000 health and drug stores and also owns generic drug maker Veropharm, said it had placed 1.5 million shares, equal to 15.8 percent of its enlarged capital, at 1,889 roubles ($76.60) each.

Perform-or-Die Culture Led to Lack of Talent and Leadership in U.S. Financial Sector

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-06T11:14:59+03:00

"It's a weird state of affairs that these phenomenal global companies can't self-reproduce executives," says Glenn Schorr, a financial services analyst at UBS AG. "It is a function of the culture and the leadership or lack of leadership" at each firm, he says.

Employees’ Loyalty to an Organization Has Loosened Last Years, Survey Revealed

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-02T17:43:06+03:00

Business leaders and their leadership style remain incredibly important to employees--even though it seems workers complain more about benefits, salary and vacation time. People just want a boss and management team who are interested in the well-being of the individual and the company, according to the 2007 Global Workforce Study by management consulting group Towers Perrin.

Leadership Development in Companies Moved from Training "Just in Case" to Focused Learning

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-02T17:23:26+03:00

Leadership development has moved from training "just in case" someone needed to know the key concepts or tools in management to focused learning and development "just in time" to apply them to achieve specific strategic objectives. Today's leadership development is much more likely to include an application opportunity and to support specific strategic initiatives.

Many of the Young, Talented Russians Who Left Their Home Country in the Late 90s Are Coming Home

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-01T15:34:14+03:00

Despite Moscow’s international reputation as one of the most expensive cities in the world, most professionals will find their money goes much further in the Russian capital than, for example, in London.

Google Releases OpenSocial, Seeking Bigger Role in Social Networking

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-01T14:30:25+03:00

By creating a set of technical specifications for broader adoption, Google could potentially undermine the early lead that MySpace and Facebook have in terms of the application offerings to consumers and usage.

Pepeliaev, Goltsblat & Partners Are Recognized as the Best Employer in Russia

Elias Zinenko — 2007-11-01T13:04:20+03:00

By combining a western pragmatic approach to running business with a virtually family atmosphere of a united company, Pepeliaev, Goltsblat & Partners creates excellent conditions for professional and career growth.

Silicon Valley Start-up and MySpace Try to Move the "User-Generated Content" Revolution into the Physical World

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-31T14:47:25+03:00

The Zazzle "widget" will take fans to an online store the band has set up, with a gallery of approved artwork and a range of products to put it on.

Facebook's Microsoft Deal May Boost Options Prices, Hurting Ability to Lure Top Talent

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-31T12:00:21+03:00

There is a little-noticed downside to Microsoft Corp.'s investment in Facebook Inc., according to WSJ. The deal will likely raise the price of stock options issued by the social-networking company and could make it more difficult to hire talented employees.

"Some Leaders are Born, Others Are Made," Says Karlin Sloan, Executive Coach

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-30T12:43:30+03:00

Sloan's new book, Smarter, Faster, Better: Strategies for Effective, Enduring, and Fulfilled Leadership is a thought-provoking handbook for anyone who wants to kick a management career up a notch to the leadership level.

500 Largest US Companies Will Lose 50% of Their Senior Management in 5 Years

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-30T12:27:56+03:00

The nation is in the middle of a talent crisis. The U.S. is estimated to face a 10 million worker shortage in 2010; and the average tenure at one employer for U.S. employees is only three years.

Tata Group’s Talent Development Keeps MBAs from Leaving India

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-29T15:47:49+03:00

Tata gains the admiration of potential leaders through the strength of their 12-month intensive management-training program, called TAS, which has been in place for more than fifty years.

Employers Implement New Policies to Accommodate Gen Y Workers

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-26T14:55:31+04:00

"Generation Y workers grew up in a technology-driven world where standards and norms have changed and often operate under different perspectives than older co-workers," Ms. Haefner said.

Pharmacy Chain 36.6 Launched a New Line of Private Label Cosmetics

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-26T14:40:32+04:00

Dobraya Zabota 36.6 is a baby care line designed to treat delicate skin and formulated with extracts of medicinal plants and herbal oils.

PepsiCo’s Leadership Development Approach Includes Career-Growth and Talent-Management Models

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-25T13:53:30+04:00

PepsiCo’s leadership-development strategy is grounded in the belief that strong leaders are needed to be successful in the marketplace.

Microsoft Buys 1.6% Stake In Facebook for $240 million, Betting on Web Ad Boom

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-25T13:10:24+04:00

The deal represents a huge bet that the online advertising boom will continue and the popular social networking site will be among the biggest beneficiaries.

Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic Brings Space Tourism to India

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-24T19:51:40+04:00

Already four Indians - two US-based and one each in UK and India - are among the 200 space tourists who have already bought the $200,000 ticket.

A Generation Y Leader Inspires by Enabling Others to Be Leaders

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-24T19:31:41+04:00

A Gen-Y leader delegates to help the worker achieve their goals. They are motivated by relationships and have an obsession with seeing others succeed.

In Spite of Major Labels Laments, Everything in the Music Industry is Up, Except CDs Sales

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-24T19:07:28+04:00

The problem with the music labels is not that music is an industry in decline, but that they have a too-narrow view of what business they’re in.

SAP's Sales Volume in Russia and CIS Gained the 3d Place After Company’s Sales in U.S. and Germany

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-23T19:52:34+04:00

“We are the one of the most fast-growing and profitable local departments of SAP,” says Volpe. “The 3d quarter was one of the most successful during all 15 years of company’s work in CIS.”

Esther Dyson Is Surprised at People's Carelessness with Their Personal Information

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-23T18:13:58+04:00

Esther Dyson, a prominent start-up investor, said she expected that people would care more about issues of privacy and personal information online.

Chinese Investment Bank Starts an Aggressive Recruitment Campaign in U.S.

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-23T13:15:21+04:00

Traditionally, Chinese financial institutions had no trouble staffing up at home. Now, however -- amid a spate of major Chinese-company IPOs both at home and abroad, and increased cross-border deal-making -- the banks are looking to bring in more international experience.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz Invests in Yogurt Chain

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-22T16:24:47+04:00

Schultz in a press release called Pinkberry founders Shelly Hwang and Young Lee "visionary entrepreneurs" and labeled their brand "a cultural phenomenon."

Jack Welch Shared His Message of Leadership, Globalization and Values on AFP Conference

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-22T13:07:56+04:00

Welch said that good leaders must have three key characteristics: authenticity, resilience and "the ability to see around corners."

Open Communication is a Must-Do for Every Business-Leader, Boris Scherbakov Says

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-19T19:50:06+04:00

Many of top-executives underestimate or don’t like public events, explaining they are often unimportant and too far from serious business issues. Anyway, insists Mr Scherbakov, it’s very useful to take part in such events.

Companies Worldwide Face Leadership Crisis - IBM Study

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-19T19:41:44+04:00

The study suggests companies are putting growth strategies at risk if they cannot identify and develop the next generation of leaders.

Gen Y'ers Are Conservative in Their Lifestyle

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-18T15:49:50+04:00

Generation Y is the most conservative generation since the Great Generation that fought World War II, Penelope Trunk says.

Deloitte and Other Big 4 Companies Are at the Top of The Best Places to Work for Graduates

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-18T14:45:58+04:00

Across industries, there is a mad scramble to recruit the best and brightest of a new generation, the much-maligned, heavily scrutinized Gen Y. Nowhere is the pressure more intense than in the Big Four. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act has so greatly increased the need for their services that the firms are facing an epic talent shortage.

MySpace Will Launch its Local Versions in Russia, Brasil, India and Poland

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-17T18:57:44+04:00

Earlier this month MySpace HR professionals placed a vacation ad for a marketing director in Russia on the LinkedIn web-service.

eBay: Built on the Belief in People’s Basic Goodness

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-10-17T18:25:29+04:00

The very first item sold on future eBay was a broken laser pointer for $14.83. Astonished, Pierre Omidyar contacted the winning bidder and asked if he understood that the pointer was broken. In his responding email, the buyer explained: "I am a collector of broken laser pointers".

Russia's Leading Network of Pharmacies 36.6 Is to Raise $111 mln in October SPO

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-17T12:56:22+04:00

The additional source of financing the needs of the company is found. It will not raise its debt load, which is important, taking into account the company’s high debt level.

Maritz Poll Identified Six Leader-Supervisor Personality Profiles

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-16T19:54:29+04:00

The Survey also Reveals Their Impact on Employee Engagement and Customer Satisfaction.

Alfa Group’s Profit Grew to $1,66 bln Last Year. Alfa Capital Partners Became a Leader among Direct Investment Funds

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-15T19:08:35+04:00

According to the company’s IAS report, published yesterday, its revenue rose 2.8 times to $2,8 billions. The income rose 16,9% to $1,66 billion.

Apple Inc.: Made of Passion, Style and Innovation

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-10-15T14:55:34+04:00

From the very beginning, Apple’s culture has always been remarkable for two distinguish features: innovations and passion. It has employed the integrator approach - the model with both...

Troika Dialog Renews its Business Model

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-15T13:38:16+04:00

Troika Dialog now bets on the new companies, wealthy and mass clients.

IBM Launches Center for CIO Leadership

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-15T12:47:17+04:00

The Center will bring together executive leaders, academics and other experts from around the world to build practical research and executive development initiatives focused on advancing the CIO profession.

Nau: Welcome to Retail 2.0

Maria Pikalova — 2007-10-14T18:06:01+04:00

The members of the Nau team share conviction that, in addition to generating profit, companies have an equal responsibility to create positive social and environmental change. They use storytelling as a marketing tool and started with a retail concept that combines the efficiencies of the Web with the intimacy of the boutique.

The Container Store Tries to Make Employees Want to Come to Work in the Morning

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-10-14T14:05:22+04:00

Since the very beginning management has been operating under the belief that a happy workforce will translate into happy customers. Perks for employees include free yoga classes three times a week...

Facebook: the Most Widely Available Product of Harvard

Maria Pikalova — 2007-10-14T09:37:14+04:00

Facebook was founded by Harvard “supersmart kid” Mark Zuckerberg when he was 19 years old. The idea of a social networking website for students took its origins in the fact that Harvard did not provide a student directory with photos and personal information, known at most colleges as a face book...

Wegmans Food Markets, a Grocery Chain Where Employees Will Teach You Choosing Wine and Cooking Fish

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-10-13T09:34:01+04:00

The senior management sets the tone at Wegmans Food Markets with leaders who are informative and accessible. All new employees meet Danny Wegman at the "Welcome to Wegmans" party – an event that is never held without him. Three days a week you can see key executives...

UK Entrepreneurs Voted for Richard Branson and Alan Sugar as the Business Leaders They Most Admire

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-12T19:07:56+04:00

95 per cent of UK entrepreneurs say other UK entrepreneurs inspire their creative thinking, with Sir Richard Branson and Sir Alan Sugar voted as the business leaders they most admire.

70% of Business Leaders Say They Think Most Creatively Away from Their Workplace

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-12T18:51:37+04:00

Only 29 per cent of entrepreneurs say they think most creatively in the workplace, with over two thirds (71 per cent) coming up with their big ideas away from their desks.

Zappos: Try Walking in Their Shoes

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-10-12T17:32:06+04:00

Zappos’ corporate culture is centered on a near-fanatical devotion to customer service. The company provides overnight shipping for each purchase. The warehouse is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so customers can order shoes as late as 11 p.m. and still get...

EBay Launches "Neighborhoods" Social Network

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-12T14:19:49+04:00

Building a sense of community should keep buyers and sellers at eBay longer, experts said Tuesday.

Hewitt Associates Conducted the ‘Top Companies for Leaders’ Study

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-11T15:44:28+04:00

The Top Companies for Leaders were selected and ranked by an esteemed panel of judges based on criteria including leadership practices, company reputation, leadership culture and values, and business performance.

Top5 in Russia’s Best Employer Ranking Consists of Foreign Companies. McDonalds Is №1

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-11T13:52:38+04:00

Only 50% of Russian employees agree that companies in Russia are successful in motivating, retaining and attracting talent in organizations today.

W.L. Gore & Associates: an Unusual Fast Growing Company with Culture That Enables Employees to Innovate

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-10-11T11:52:20+04:00

There is one business legend often told at W.L. Gore & Associates. In 1965 Bill Gore was passing around a new plant and suddenly realized that he didn’t recognize every employee anymore. It motivated him to state a principle...

London Is Affirmed as a Center for Global Wealth

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-10T17:24:50+04:00

Of the U.K.'s 10 richest people, just three are originally from here, according to the Sunday Times newspaper's annual list.

New Social Networking Sites Aim at Older Generations

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-10T16:12:38+04:00

Social networking has thus far largely focused on executives in the business world and young people, because they are tech-savvy and treasured by Madison Avenue.

Only 7% of Business Leaders Are Willing to Pay for Online Business News

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-10T13:39:25+04:00

Business Leaders Seek Information from Both New and Traditional Forms of Media, Study Shows.

Private Bankers Are Forced to Recruit From Outside of Conventional Circles Due to Talent Competition

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-09T13:16:46+04:00

Boris Collardi, chief operating officer of Julius Baer's private banking division, said the Swiss bank had targeted students at Lausanne's prestigious hotel management training academy, due to their smart appearance and customer service skills.

New Global Leaders Must Be Multilingual and Have Several Years of Living Abroad, the Study Suggests

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-09T12:21:04+04:00

Heidrick & Struggles has put together a Global Talent Index that highlights some of the weaknesses of the top-ranked U.S. market when it comes to developing talent. The survey, conducted with the Economist Intelligence Unit, points to tough visa restrictions and the largely unilingual nature of U.S. workers as two factors that could hurt U.S. competitiveness down the road.

India Will Be Human Capital Mine for the Next 50 Years, KPMG Partner Argues

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-08T12:20:12+04:00

India is at a one-in-a-100 year peak in the context of number of people entering the workforce.

IBM and Google Start a Program on College Campuses to Promote Cloud Computing

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-07T13:44:03+04:00

IBM and Google will start by providing some 400 computers, with plans to expand to 4,000, at a number of locations.

BT Group Tries to Create the World’s Largest Wi-Fi Network

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-05T19:11:42+04:00

The move could create blanket urban wi-fi coverage, and allow the fixed-line operator to compete at least partially with mobile phone operators in offering internet services on the go.

GE Shrinks its 128-year-old Light-bulb Business in Response to Global Green Pressure

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-05T19:03:28+04:00

The downsizing or sale of the lighting business has been expected for several years as the market has changed. The lighting business contributed about $2.5 billion in sales in 2006, or less than 2% of GE's $163 billion in revenue.

Yahoo Improves its Search Engine to Boost Sagging Morale

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-04T18:43:53+04:00

The Silicon Valley company trails rivals Google, Microsoft and Ask in launching major search upgrades this year and the improvements come as a new executive team is trying to boost sagging morale.

Google Is Closing Gap with Rival Baidu in China

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-04T17:32:23+04:00

Google has gained more market share in China after it announced its partnership with Sina Corp, a major Chinese Internet portal. It has also recently formed another partnership with popular Web site Tianya.cn.

MySpace Is Looking for a Marketing Executive in Russia

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-04T15:50:11+04:00

MySpace representative Dany Dudeck refused to comment on this vacancy, but said that the company is prepared to enter 10 new countries till 2008, in addition to 22 countries where it already has the offices.

Product Placement Moves Online

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-04T13:42:31+04:00

Online properties are finding ways to leverage intense consumer interest in product placements.

Starbucks: a “Third Place” to Spend Time after Home and Work

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-10-03T18:35:58+04:00

Coffee shops and bars existed long before Starbucks, but the quality of both the coffee and the customer service were questionable. Having bought the original Starbucks brand, Howard Schultz started its transformation with offering better experience for the coffee fans. The company began to brew coffee of the uniform quality and became first in the development of premium-priced drinks...

Monster.com Launches First Service Designed to Promote Availability of Green Jobs

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-03T18:25:21+04:00

GreenCareers by MonsterTRAK serves as a place that connects young people and employers with the emerging sustainable economy in a concrete way, making the environment more personally relevant for both parties.

Starbucks and Pepsi Jointly Expand Bottled Coffee Business Overseas

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-03T17:11:03+04:00

"Even in countries where we don't have stores, people know the brand," Gerry Lopez, president of Starbucks' Global Consumer Products Group, said in an interview.

Google Buys Mobile Social Networking Start-up Zingku

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-03T13:17:35+04:00

Google expects the acquisition will help it "provide people worldwide with direct access to Google applications, and ultimately the information they want and need, right from their mobile devices."

IBM and O2 Teams Are Among Finalists for the Personnel Today Magazine’s Talent Management Award

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-03T13:03:32+04:00

This award recognises organisations with a proactive approach to talent management and succession planning. The judge looked for imaginative organisational talent reviews by the HR team, working in conjunction with others.

UK Insurers Face a Recruitment Crisis, Failing to Sell the Industry to Students and Talented Managers

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-03T12:35:34+04:00

Insurers say much of the trouble has come from a failure to sell the industry to students and talented managers, many of whom end up seduced by high investment banking salaries -- though few of those careers will last a lifetime.

Companies Like Google Embrace Online Games at Workplace, Others Forbid Them

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-02T19:49:08+04:00

Some companies forbid game-playing. Others have not taken a firm stance or have decided to allow some games but not others, using Internet filters to block access to some sites.

US Leads in a Global Talent Index, China and India Are at the Top 10, Russia Will Fall from 6th to 11th Place by 2012

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-01T18:19:21+04:00

Asia Pacific countries are giving a tough competition to the US and Europe when it comes to attracting and nurturing talent, says the Index developed by executive search firm Heidrick and Struggles and the Economist Intelligence Unit covering thirty countries chosen for the survey based on a representative geographical spread.

Microsoft and Adobe Develop Web-Based Data Services

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-01T13:05:03+04:00

Microsoft is rolling out a free service that lets users of its Office software create and share documents over the Internet in new ways. The move comes as Google Inc., Microsoft's nemesis in Internet search, has been trying to popularize Web services that handle key functions of Office.

Jack Welch: Gen Yers are Driven, Thoughtful, Open-Minded and Candid

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-01T12:40:39+04:00

"Overwhelmingly, we've found Gen Yers to be hardworking, entrepreneurial, startlingly authentic, refreshingly candid, and wonderfully upbeat."

Dell Opens Retail Store in Moscow and Appoints Head of the Company's Russian Office

Elias Zinenko — 2007-10-01T11:01:07+04:00

The company said the store will be in Moscow's new Gorbuskin Dvor retail center. Dell said the store will address the rapid growth of Internet use in Russia and plans to sell other products and services for the country's technology market.

3Com Corp. Has Been Acquired by Bain Capital Partners for $2.2 bln

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-28T20:02:51+04:00

The purchase allowed 3Com to fully tap into the bustling Chinese market demand for network equipment.

Private Equity Industry Is in a Slowdown, Tending to Talent May Help, Researchers Say

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-28T19:58:47+04:00

Europe's biggest private-equity firms have experienced exponential growth over the past five to 10 years, with scaling up of funds enabling them to build their organizations from the bottom and reward top performers to partner level. This is causing a logjam of talent in the lower echelons of Europe's firms.

Google Plans to Expand Staff in Europe to Avoid an Image of Aggressive American Multinational

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-28T15:52:34+04:00

Google plans to hire several thousand engineers in Europe to create a research and development team in the region as big as the one it has in the US.

Nucor: Decentralized Authority and Sense of Individual Responsibility

Maria Pikalova — 2007-09-27T19:37:50+04:00

Leadership at Nucor started from its legendary leader F. Kenneth Iverson's core philosophy: that employees, even hourly clock-punchers, will make an extraordinary effort if you reward them richly, treat them with respect, and give them real power.

Blyk Launched World's First Service to Offer Free Calls in Exchange for Sending Ads to Users' Phones

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-27T18:03:06+04:00

The brands will be charged between 2p and 20p for each text message sent to one of Blyk's members.

Rosinter Joined up With Belgravia and Immo Industry to Develop Business Parks across Russia

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-26T11:57:24+04:00

The partners, including Immo Industry Group, a Belgium-based industrial property company, are together investing $1bn which – with gearing – means investment of $2bn in more than 2m sq m of buildings on 15 sites.

Microsoft is in Talks to Buy a Minority Stake in the Facebook

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-25T19:51:06+04:00

This move could value Facebook at $10 billion or more, according to people familiar with the matter. Google has also expressed strong interest in a possible Facebook investment, and the talks could set up a face-off between the tech titans.

Organizations Not Adequately Prepared for Impending Employee ''Brain Drain''

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-25T19:34:18+04:00

Baby Boomer Retirements Threaten to Significantly Decrease Organizational Knowledge, Yet Only 20 Percent of Companies Have a Formal Knowledge-Retention Strategy in Place

Online Ads Spending Will Grow Even if a Downturn Squeezes the Ad Sector

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-25T19:20:30+04:00

Indeed, pressure on companies to cut costs if the economy softens could even hasten the switch in spending from traditional media to more targeted and measurable digital forms.

Companies Tend to Use Mentoring Programs to Develop Future Leaders

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-25T15:14:26+04:00

The research shows that companies that have had a high-potential employee-development program in place for five years or more tend to rank several development methods above mentoring.

Gen Yers Are Starting Businesses Earlier and at a Faster Rate than 35 to 44-year-olds

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-24T13:47:11+04:00

This has to reflect each generation's attitude to risk: 72% of Gen Y business owners surveyed said they thrived on risk. A smaller 53% of baby boomer entrepreneurs consider themselves risk junkies.

Oracle’s Expanding through Acquisitions Proves Success: Company Posted 25% Rise in Profit

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-21T20:01:37+04:00

The gains were driven by steady customer purchases of Oracle's cash-cow database and middleware software and by the company's recent acquisitions of several makers of so-called business applications.

MTV Launches Social Network to Encourage Youth Activism

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-21T12:52:55+04:00

It will let users create pages, as on other online social networks Facebook and MySpace, and upload photos and videos, some of which may be aired on MTV's online or cable network.

The New York Times Stops Charging for Access to its Web Site

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-20T16:44:34+04:00

Many more readers started coming to the site from search engines and links on other sites instead of coming directly to NYTimes.com. These indirect readers, unable to get access to articles behind the pay wall and less likely to pay subscription fees than the more loyal direct users, were seen as opportunities for more page views and increased advertising revenue.

IBM Staff Plan to Hold First Virtual Strike in Second Life

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-20T15:28:34+04:00

Instead of turning up outside IBM's offices and “do a bit of picketing or throw stones at the windows, like in the good old days, these pampered sons and daughters of 21st century sloth plan to hold their protest online, in virtual world Second Life”.

Recalls of Chinese Goods Inspired a Full-Scale Restructuring of the Economy in China

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-19T11:57:26+04:00

The Chinese government started to reform the country’s export manufacturing industry. It is supposed that the action should lead to gradual change of the export structure. Even the geographical redistribution of manufacture is planned.

Google Expands the Volume of Mobile Ads

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-19T10:19:50+04:00

Google and its major rivals, Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corp., are now trying to extend their ad platforms as mobile devices make it easier to roam the Web without relying on PCs.

Monster.com Launches Video Profile Service, Enabling Employers to Integrate Video in Job Postings

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-18T17:15:26+04:00

The new offering will allow employers to extend their brand via employment videos, and help target and attract the best candidates.

U.S. Online B2B Ad Spending Rose 1.4% to $14.39 billion in 2006

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-17T19:20:06+04:00

Online display ads made up nearly 10% of B2B ad spending, or $1.4 billion, according to TNS. That figure is 17% up from 2005 levels.

Most Companies Treat Talent Issues Separately, Which Is a Critical Error, Researchers Say

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-17T13:40:47+04:00

Here are some excerpts from their look and suggestions of what companies can do to weather the storm.

Transformation of Luxury Industry: It Increasingly Becomes the Domain of the Global Middle Class

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-17T12:27:20+04:00

Call it the age of McLuxury. The $220 billion global industry is racing to the top and the bottom at the same time.

Salesforce.com’s New Initiative Helps Companies Develop Web-Based Services

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-17T12:10:02+04:00

The new initiative, Force.com, is expected to be launched on Monday at Salesforce.com's annual conference for developers.

Patagonia: the Company That Limits Its Growth and Fights for Protection of Nature

Maria Pikalova — 2007-09-15T18:57:08+04:00

Patagonia, Inc. is one of the brightest companies in the outdoor industry. Barefoot employees, cavorting pets and organic chefs - in many ways Patagonia looks like an Internet startup, but as a matter of fact it is a thirty-plus-year-old clothing and equipment company. The place is all business, but it's business conducted upside down and inside out.

Google Sponsors $30 Million Moon Challenge Contest

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-14T04:48:45+04:00

The search company is bankrolling a $30 million contest “that could significantly boost the commercial space industry and spur the first non-governmental flight to the moon”, BusinessWeek noted.

Virgin Group May Soon Come to Russia, Selling Franchise for Virgin Megastore to Ritzio Group

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-13T18:49:09+04:00

Ritzio stockholders revealed an interest in non-gambling projects about half a year ago, when Russian government signed a gambling business regulating low. Now they are looking for promising projects to invest.

Investment-Advisory Firms Face a Talent Shortage along with an Inflow of Clients

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-13T13:06:42+04:00

If firms have a hard time replacing advisers who retire, the quality of firms may deteriorate and damage the industry's reputation.

Web Users’ Preferences Differ from Mainstream Sites Agenda

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-12T21:29:29+04:00

Few of the top stories selected by editors on mainstream sites appeared on the user-generated sites.

While Many Developed European Countries Lose Population, UK’s Scotland Resists This Trend by Luring Talents

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-12T20:57:00+04:00

Its population has been growing over the past five years, mostly due to immigration. This is due in part to the Fresh Talent Initiative, a program that has helped thousands of overseas students to study at Scottish universities and introduces them to the opportunities that exist after graduation.

Amazon Promotes its Web Services With Contest for Startups

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-12T12:56:26+04:00

Contest is targeted at start-ups and software developers who might need the online retailer's Web services to get their companies off the ground.

Richard Branson Launches Virgin Radio in Middle East

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-12T12:32:11+04:00

English music station called Virgin Radio Dubai joins a number of other overseas Virgin Radio stations in Italy, France, Thailand and India.

Monster and Bank of America Join to Help High School Students Develop Smart Money Management Skills

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-12T01:08:15+04:00

Monster's Making It Count "Making Your Money Count" program provides high school students with smart money management skills to empower them to achieve financial independence.

Monster.com Hired Two New Executives to its Management Team

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-11T14:07:43+04:00

According to the company’s press-release, ‘the addition of Art O'Donnell and Lise Poulos, both of whom bring extensive experience in large global organizations, is consistent with the Company's initiatives to drive growth through a focus on superior customer service and product innovation.”

Anita Roddick, Founder of Body Shop Cosmetics Chain, Dies at 64

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-11T13:39:26+04:00

"She campaigned for green issues for many years before it became fashionable to do so and inspired millions to the cause by bringing sustainable products to a mass market," Prime Minister Gordon Brown said.

Google Hires a Consulting Firm to Help Companies Use its Google Apps Service

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-11T12:59:49+04:00

“The partnership eliminates the biggest excuse companies had for not using Google Apps,” says WSJ author Ben Worthen in his blog.

Braun Challenges Business School Talents to 'Create A Buzz' For its Brand

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-11T12:47:02+04:00

Case study competition offers MBA students face time with P&G executives and the chance to win $40,000.

The Home Depot: the Combination of Entrepreneurial Spirit and GE-Style Discipline

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-09-11T12:11:14+04:00

The founders also strongly believed in the "upside down pyramid". A right side up pyramid means that the workers’ importance to the company is at the bottom, with one executive at the top. But Marcus and Blank claimed that the most important persons for the company were the associates in the stores...

To Bridge the Generation Gap, Employment Agency Randstad Teams Y-ers With Older Staff

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-10T21:57:18+04:00

This unconventional pairing is a part of Randstad's effort to ensure that its twentysomething employees – Generation Y – fit in to their working places and will be retained.

Steve Jobs Apologized to Consumers for iPhone Price Cut and Offers $100 Credit

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-07T17:11:54+04:00

In the letter, Mr. Jobs insisted the price cut was necessary to broaden the market for the product, but he acknowledged that Apple needed to assuage disappointed early purchasers.

Wegman Family Starts New Venture, The Wegmans Organic Research Farm

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-07T15:28:18+04:00

The farm's mission, according to Wegman, is to provide locally grown fruits, vegetables and honey to nearby Wegmans stores and, eventually, to serve as an educational model for local growers, employees and consumers who want to learn about organic food production.

Rite Aid Pharmacy Hired New COO

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-07T14:22:47+04:00

Rite Aid's current chief operating officer James P. Mastrian will become the pharmacy chain's special adviser on corporate strategy. Both Easley and Mastrian will report directly to Rite Aid's chairman, president and CEO Mary Sammons.

Microsoft and Siemens Will Develop In-Car Infotainment Products

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-07T13:54:47+04:00

The market for automotive infotainment products is set to grow to about $54 billion by 2012 from $38 billion currently, according to research group iSuppli.

Amazon.com and Google Unveil New E-Books Services

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-06T19:42:36+04:00

Technology evangelists have predicted the emergence of electronic books for as long as they have envisioned flying cars and video phones. It is an idea that has never caught on with mainstream book buyers. Amazon.com and Google give it another try.

Toyota's COO Jim Press Joins Chrysler as President

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-06T19:20:19+04:00

Chrysler spokesman Jason Vines said that the move to name Mr. Press co-president comes as Mr. Nardelli looks to strengthen his management team.

Silicon Valley’s Investors are in Rush for the Next Big Thing

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-06T18:36:53+04:00

Most of them are formed around hot trends such as web search, social networking and online video. The eagerly expected autumn events include presentations of about 150 new companies and products.

iPhone Sales Outperformed BlackBerry’s and Other's Leading Smartphone Brands

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-06T18:11:26+04:00

But “the real proof of success will come in the coming months as demand patterns stabilise,” iSuppli, a market research group, said.

“Put employees before customers,” Container Store CEO Kip Tindell Advises

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-05T18:00:05+04:00

If you take care of your employees, they'll take care of the customers - and that will take care of your shareholders. To myopically focus on the shareholders is wrong. So we invest heavily in our employees.

CEOs Keep More Literature and Poetry Books than Business Bestsellers in Their Private Libraries

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-05T17:22:55+04:00

Serious leaders who are serious readers build personal libraries dedicated to how to think, not how to compete, an article in the New York Times argues.

Virgin Group Sees Opportunities for Expansion into China and Russia

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-05T16:50:53+04:00

In the forefront of the expansion will be the AirAsia company which was founded by Tony Fernandes, a former executive at Virgin Group and Warner Music, who has been hailed as Asia's answer to easyJet's Stelios Haji-Ioannou.

AMD Loses Second Sales&Marketing Star in a Month

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-05T13:37:49+04:00

The loss of executives comes as AMD plans to release its much-anticipated and delayed Barcelona microprocessor for use in server systems. A launch is planned for Monday.

Yahoo Buys Online Advertising Network BlueLithium for $300 million

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-05T12:10:47+04:00

The deal is the latest Yahoo's step in attempt to regain some of the ground that it has lost during the past three years to Google Inc., whose Internet-leading search engine propels the most lucrative online ad network.

Sony Ericsson's President Steps Down

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-04T18:38:45+04:00

Analysts said Flint had in no sense had been forced out, as the company's owners were pleased with what he had achieved.

Apple and Volkswagen Discuss the Possibility of Building an "iCar"

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-04T12:19:51+04:00

Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs and Volkswagen's chief Martin Winterkorn met several days ago in California and plan to meet for further discussions.

Newspapers Continue to Lose Print Ads, But Gain Online

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-04T11:59:02+04:00

A study released by the media-investment firm Veronis Suhler Stevenson in early August predicted that Internet-advertising spending, including the ads on Web sites of traditional media outlets, will overtake print-newspaper advertising in 2010 as the largest advertising category.

In the International War for Talent, Cities Will Combat to Attract the Best Talent from Generation Y

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-03T20:02:27+04:00

"Generation Y will not think twice and the danger is that when they get to vibrant, funky cities like London, New York or Mumbai or Dubai, 95 per cent of them will not come back."

Former AOL and Fox Interactive Executives Are Starting Internet Investment Firm

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-03T19:17:40+04:00

The two executives are considering buying Internet companies in several niches, including online video, according to people close to the situation. The idea would be to buy up several companies in a related area, then possibly spin off the consolidated entity into a public offering or a sale.

Global Car Makers Redefine the Meaning of "Low Cost" Cars

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-03T18:58:57+04:00

They aregoing to sell it not just to emerging markets but to the developed world as well. French automotive group Renault SA and Japanese partner Nissan Motor Co. plan to build a joint assembly plant in this North African port city.

YouTube Will Pay Royalties to UK Performers and Songwriters

Elias Zinenko — 2007-09-03T13:49:28+04:00

Chad Hurley, CEO and Co-Founder of YouTube said the deal was an example of the Web site's efforts to "explore new and creative ways to compensate music creators."

Yahoo Reshuffles its Management Team

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-31T19:08:16+04:00

Coleman's departure follows the recent departure of chief sales officer and comes as the company grapples with changes to the online advertising market and tries to retool itself under new Chief Executive Jerry Yang to better compete with rivals including Google Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

Michael Dell's Return Starts to Pay Off: Dell Inc. Is Showing Signs of Turnaround

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-31T17:31:25+04:00

The signs of a turnaround signal to investors that Michael Dell's return to the computer maker is beginning to pay off, despite stiff competition. Sales of servers and storage products both notched double-digit increases.

CNN Stops Using Reuters News Service, Changing Content Gathering Strategy

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-31T16:56:10+04:00

The global television news network intends to contain costs and invest in its own news gathering operations.

Nokia Shifts into Music and Gaming Services Market

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-31T03:16:19+04:00

"Nokia is seeking to become a gatekeeper to services to increase brand loyalty -- one brand with several hooks," said Glitnir analyst Jussi Hyoty. Nokia said it aimed to introduce the brand to consumers on a step-by-step basis, combined with its other advertising campaigns.

Police in China's Capital Launch Web Patrols

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-30T18:36:37+04:00

The animated police appeared designed to fright Web surfers and remind them that authorities closely monitor Web activity.

Intel Studies Russian Middle Class, Aiming to Customize its Products for Russian Country-Homes

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-30T18:15:31+04:00

By studying the behavior of the middle class, and how they use information technologies at their dachas, Intel hopes to come up with solutions and products customized for Russian country-homes.

Indian Company Wipro Outsourced 500 Jobs to Atlanta in the U.S.

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-30T17:41:26+04:00

Apparently Wipro is being hit by the rising cost of engineers in Bangalore and no longer benefits from a cheap rupee. Instead it is cheaper to buy US firms and establish manufacturing and research centres across the country.

Chinese Company Is Going to Buy Seagate, U.S. Disk Drive Manufacturer

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-30T17:28:38+04:00

The prospect has raised the potential of US National Security concerns.

Apple Launches iTunes TV Service in Britain

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-30T17:25:18+04:00

The launch of on-demand services, billed by some television executives as the biggest change in the way viewers watch TV since the switch to colour television, comes in response to viewers who are turning away from the traditional TV schedule.

The Silicon Valley Phenomenon Lunch 2.0 is Spreading its Popularity

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-29T20:29:06+04:00

Today the lunches have begun to draw larger crowds, and companies are inviting in the Lunch 2.0-goers as a way to woo potential hires and push their products to influential bloggers who attend.

Wages Rise in China, Which will Lead to Higher Prices in the U.S.

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-29T17:19:17+04:00

Despite the forecasts, sporadic labor shortages started to appear in 2003 at factories of southeastern China. Now those shortages have spread to factories up and down the Chinese coast, specialists say.

George Reyes to Retire as Google CFO

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-29T12:43:21+04:00

Reyes indicated that he will remain to assist in the search for a new CFO and to assure an orderly transition, which Google expects will occur by the end of the year.

HP Launches Web-based Printing Services

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-29T10:35:56+04:00

The move comes as the company strives to keep its printing division’s sales growing as its customers increasingly gravitate to the Web.

Home Depot Sells its Wholesale Distribution Business for $8.5 Billion

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-28T19:34:14+04:00

In addition, Home Depot will pay $325 million for a 12.5% stake in HD Supply and guarantee a $1 billion loan issued by the banks to finance the acquisition.

Starbucks’ Record Label Hear Music Succeeds Due to Coffee Chain’s Distribution Network

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-28T19:22:20+04:00

Hear Music has made a hot start, with McCartney’s Memory Almost Full album, released in June, already boasting global sales of more than 1m. About half of its 500,000 US sales have been in Starbucks stores.

Taiwan-based Personal-Computer Maker Acer Buys Gateway for $710 million

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-28T16:15:33+04:00

Acer's latest push into the U.S. also marks a new stage in one of the PC industry's biggest turnaround stories.

Dell and Home Depot Strengthen Training for Front-Line Managers

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-27T17:50:20+04:00

The moves come as many firms seek to better motivate and engage workers in an increasingly global and fast-paced environment.

Pano Logic, Silicon Valley start-up, Uses Virtualization Technology to Replace Personal Computers

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-27T17:24:49+04:00

Many companies have begun considering ways to use virtualization software to run desktop programs on servers.

Web-Based Software Helps Parents and Schools Check the Kids' Homework over the Internet

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-27T15:49:19+04:00

Homework has become the top reason that teenagers are using the Internet on a monthly basis.

Yahoo Buys Actionality, a German Mobile Ad Technology Company

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-27T13:42:54+04:00

Yahoo is being very ambitious and will face strong competition in the mobile advertising market, which is still very much up for grabs.

Wal-Mart’s Executive in Hollywood Resigned to Join DreamWorks

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-24T19:50:31+04:00

His departure comes amid Wal-Mart's overhaul of its product-selection and -presentation efforts. Porter is expected to take a job overseeing world-wide product distribution for DreamWorks.

Indian IT Companies Create ‘Shadow Talent Pool’

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-24T19:47:50+04:00

This trend is unique to India, says Nirupama V G, managing director of HR consultancy AdAstra. “Almost every employee has two or more job offers. In the past few months, we have seen many more companies asking for shadow arrangements. Consultants are asked to keep this ready-to-hire shadow warm, through occasional phone calls, short messages or e-mails,” she says.

MySpace & MTV will Host Dialogue for Presidential Candidates and Voters

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-24T19:15:30+04:00

Voters can instant-message, e-mail or text their questions in real-time during the events, which will be webcast live on MTV.com and MySpaceTV.com.

New Facebook Tool Helps to Build New Friendship Networks via Bluetooth

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-24T18:34:10+04:00

Bath University scientists have created a tool which can use the unique ID of Bluetooth devices, like a mobile phone, to build new friendship networks.

Asia, the World's Most Populous Region, Faces the Biggest Talent Shortage

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-24T18:06:59+04:00

Despite its booming economies and huge numbers of people, Asia is suffering a big shortage of skills. And it is about to get worse.

Facebook Is Working on a New Advertising System

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-23T20:57:01+04:00

Eventually, it hopes to refine the system to allow it to predict what products and services users might be interested in even before they have specifically mentioned an area.

India and Japan Become Economic Allies to Hedge Against China’s Growth

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-23T20:49:23+04:00

Implicit in the discussion of cooperation is the notion that an allied India and Japan could help hedge against China’s growth.

Internet Venture Entrepreneurs Launched a Reality Show ‘The Next Internet Millionaire’

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-23T20:39:43+04:00

The winner will get $1 million and the advantage to establish close links with venture capitalists.

Generation Yers Refuse to Work for Employers Who Engage in Unethical Business Practices

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-23T18:48:34+04:00

Members of Generation Y are refusing to work for employers who engage in unethical business practices, forcing companies to clean up their act or struggle to find a workforce, Australian newspaper News.com.au writes.

Google Shuts its Video Service and Gives Full Refunds to its Customers

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-23T15:39:16+04:00

The move lets Google focus its energies on making money from video advertising.

Companies Are Used to Edit Wikipedia to Mend Their Online Reputation

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-22T19:38:43+04:00

The magazine highlights the cases which illustrate a real struggle to control reputations on the Web, as well as the public relations misses that result from failed attempts to hide controversy.

YouTube Starts to Sell Ads in Videos

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-22T19:22:12+04:00

Resembling a popular ad model cropping up on a number of other video sites, YouTube's new format is a semitransparent ad that appears on the bottom 20% of the video.

Maritz Poll Issued a New Research on Generation Y Buying Behavior

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-22T19:02:21+04:00

Most (69%) of the poll's Generation Y shoppers said they send 1 - 10 text messages per day. However, while texting seems like a perfect channel for retailers to reach these shoppers, it is not actually the best.

Google Acquired a Stake in Chinese Сommunity Web site Tianya.cn

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-22T17:02:52+04:00

The purchase indicates a foray by the global search leader into social networking in the world's second-largest Internet market.

Japan Aims to Replace the Internet with a New Network Technology

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-22T13:35:07+04:00

This new technology is supposed to be faster and more reliable than the current Internet, which is too liable to viruses and breakdowns.

Investors' Online Communities Grow In Popularity: TradeKing, Zecco, Thinkorswim.com

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-21T21:39:38+04:00

Like many other parts of the Internet, online trading sites are more and more turning into collaborative experiences. Innovations that Zecco and TradeKing are working on will allow investors to form groups centered around common stock interests or trading trategies.

Wal-Mart, Amazon, Universal, MTV, Rhapsody Challenge Apple's iTunes Domination

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-21T18:48:29+04:00

iTunes has maintained its 80 per cent share of the legal online music market in spite of competition from a variety of companies. Steve Jobs' plea in February this year to drop DRM has had unexpected consequences. А growing number of the Apple iTunes' formidable rivals have opened or are about to open their online music download services without the DRM protection.

Virgin Media CEO Steve Burch Resigned Unexpectedly 'For Family Reasons'

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-21T14:44:55+04:00

Family and personal reasons were mentioned. A search for Steve's replacement will begin shortly. In the meantime, Neil Berkett, Virgin Media's COO, will assume the role of Acting CEO with responsibility for driving forward the company's strategy and operational development.

comScore Launches Second Generation Search Measurement Tool qSearch 2.0

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-21T10:41:24+04:00

Previously, the search universe was defined as searches occurring at the major Web search engines. With search becoming a more ubiquitous activity across the Web, comScore is expanding the market view of the search universe to encompass other searches that occur on the Internet.

16% Of All US Adult Internet Users Influence Others By Word-Of-Mouth Online

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-20T12:11:21+04:00

By 2011 the number of adult internet users in USA who influence others by sharing their advice online will reach 34.4 mln or 20% of all adult web users. All in all, 64 mln US adults regularly share advice on products and services.

Skype: Service Shutdown Was Caused By Massive Restarts After Windows Update

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-20T10:23:10+04:00

A routine update and rebooting caused a flood of log-in requests, which, combined with the lack of peer-to-peer network resources, prompted a chain reaction that had a critical impact. Normally Skype's peer-to-peer network has an inbuilt ability to self-heal, however, this event revealed a previously unseen software bug which prevented the self-healing function from working quickly.

Google Launches Local Business Referrals Program

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-17T23:56:39+04:00

A Google business referral representative can earn up to $10 for each approved, verified referral he submits. This includes $2 when a business referral is approved by Google and $8 when an approved business verifies that the information is accurate. As long as he earns at least $25 a month, he'll receive a monthly check. Representatives will be local contractors and not Google employees.

Lenovo, Chinese Computer Maker, To Build New Plants In Mexico And India

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-17T18:25:39+04:00

The world's third-biggest producer of computers plans to build its largest factory outside China in Monterrey, Mexico. It is expected to be operational by mid-2008 and make computers for the North and South American markets. In India, Lenovo will build a smaller factory in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It expects the plant to be operational in the third quarter this year.

Sun's StarOffice Software Suite To Be Distributed By Google

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-16T11:33:02+04:00

Under the arrangement - one element of an alliance announced in 2005 - Google is offering free downloads of the Sun software as part of Google Pack, a set of products that Google selects and distributes through its Web site. Sun also announced that it has added web search functionality to all StarOffice products, enabling online search capabilities directly from its productivity suite.

Number of Mobile Social Networks Users To Reach 600m By 2012, User Generated Revenues To Rise Tenfold

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-16T10:00:42+04:00

According to Juniper Research, globally, end-user generated revenues from social networking, dating and personal content delivery services will increase from $572m in 2007 to more than $5.7bn in 2012. The number of active users of mobile social networking sites is expected to rise from 14m in 2007 to nearly 600m in 2012.

Amgen Cuts Staff By 12-14%, Capital Expenditures By $ 1.9 Bln In Company's 27-year History First Restructuring

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-15T14:13:57+04:00

Plans announced by the company to improve its cost structure include reducing headcount by 12-14 percent, or approximately 2,200-2,600 staff; reducing planned capital expenditures by approximately $1.9 billion during the period 2007-2008; closing certain production operations; and making choices about the highest priorities in research and development and operations.

VMware Raises $957m – The Most Important Tech IPO Since Google In 2004

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-15T13:40:59+04:00

Shares of VMware, the software company founded in 1998 and specializing in a process known as "virtualization", soared 76 per cent on their first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on August 14, 2007 as investors rushed to the most hotly anticipated initial public offering in the technology sector since Google went public nearly three years ago. The offering raised $957 million.

Yahoo Introduces Smart Ads - Online Advertisement Instruments Of The New Generation

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-15T10:09:04+04:00

The ads, which Yahoo began offering to travel-industry advertisers a month ago, change colors, images and messages in response to what Yahoo knows about the Web surfer viewing them. Using SmartAds, advertisers provide Yahoo with sets of backgrounds, images and text that can be mixed and matched on the fly to create many different ads.

Online Groups And Blogs Better To Reach Gen Y Shoppers Than Text Messaging

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-14T20:02:00+04:00

Gen Y respondents welcome other interactive marketing. Nearly half of Generation Y respondents said they belong to an online group hosted by a retailer. More than one-quarter of Gen Y respondents had posted an online review for a product or specific retailer. More than two-thirds used online reviews as a source when making purchasing decisions

Google Looses To Yahoo In Customer Satisfaction According To ACSI Index

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-14T18:55:48+04:00

According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index Yahoo! improves 4% to 79 to take the lead over Google for portals and search engines. Google falls by 4% from a year ago to a score of 78, but it is still the most popular search engine. Ask.com is up by 6% to a score of 75, still well behind Google. AOL is down 10% to the lowest score in the industry (67).

Social Networks Ad Spending To Reach $1.38 Bln This Year, $3.63 Bln In 2011

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-14T16:16:51+04:00

eMarketer projects that marketers will spend $900 million advertising on social networks in the US this year. eMarketer has projected that MySpace would generate $525 million in US ad revenue in calendar 2007 and $820 million in 2008. Tital worldwide spending in social networks may reach $3.63 bln by 2011.

US Per Capita Media Usage Drops For The First Time Since 1997, The Web To Become Biggest Ad Medium in 2011

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-14T11:18:34+04:00

Consumers are more efficient with their time, thanks to growing web use. Iternet advertising, which includes pure-play websites and digital extensions of traditional media, will reach about $62 billion in the next five years and replace newspapers as the largest ad medium in 2011.

Web Users Now Spend Half Their Time Visiting Content, Far Outpacing Search, Communications And Commerce

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-14T10:36:31+04:00

A very significant and sustained trend in consumers spending their time online was identified: over the last four years the primary role of the Internet has shifted from communications to content. Four-year analysis of Online Publishers Association Internet Activity Index shows sustained growth for online content. Search improved, so users spend less time with it.

Wal-Mart, Facebook Team Up To Go After College Students Money In Back-to-school Shopping Season-2007

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-13T12:03:09+04:00

The world’s largest retailer has launched the ”Roommate Style Match” group on Facebook in the hopes of getting the bigger portion of back-to-school shopping dollars. Facebook users who join the Wal-Mart group will be able to take a quiz to determine their decorating style and get a list of "recommended products" they can buy at Wal-Mart to mesh their style with their roommate's.

Murdoch Plans To Make WSJ.com Content Free Hoping To Earn Much More From Online Ad

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-08-10T19:21:31+04:00

The Wall Street Journal has nearly 1 million Web subscribers who pay $79 a year for access to its online content. So some analysts estimate that WSJ will get more than $65 million this year from its online services. But...

Trend: From MySpace And Friendster To Smaller Targeted Social Networking Sites

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-08-10T18:27:56+04:00

News Corp.'s MySpace has gained familiarity due to its focus on the mass-oriented model. But today we can watch a trend among new social networks to provide their users with communication with smaller, more targeted, groups.

Google Becomes First End-User Licensee of Open Invention Network Extending The Linux Ecosystem

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-09T23:00:37+04:00

By becoming a licensee, Google has joined the growing list of companies that are leveraging the Open Invention Network to share Linux–based intellectual property.

Kaspersky Lab’s Antivirus Has Become One Of 10 The Most Popular Softwares Sold Through Amazon.com

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-08-09T11:39:59+04:00

Yesterday (08.08.2007) antivirus Kaspersky Internet Security took the 6th place on the Amazon’s website in the segment of software, and just a day earlier it listed on the 3d place, letting go first only two versions of Microsoft Office.

Semco SA: Brazilian Miracle Where Employees Set Their Salaries and Sleep in Hammocks

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-08-08T21:24:56+04:00

Semco is often called one of the most interesting companies in the world. And it is actually so. There are no job titles, no written policies, no HR department, or even, the present time, no headquarters. There is still a CEO, but half a dozen senior executives pass the title every...

Russian Alfa Bank Sponsors Livejournal To Promote Its Services Among Young Web Users

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-07T20:53:17+04:00

Alfa Bank became a sponsor of Livejournal.ru. Alfa Bank entered an agreement with Sup Fabrik, the operator of the Russian part of Livejournal to develop joint projects for the Russian-speaking audience of the blog service. The partnership will include a special sponsored Money section and specific theme communities in the Livejournal.

Mobile Business Data Services to Generate over $100 Billion by 2012 - ABI Research

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-08-06T21:02:43+04:00

Business applications and services for the handset include communications, information access, computing, integrated information access/computing, and business process solutions. The communications category includes real-time communications and messaging. Combined revenues from all mobile business categories (including voice services) will grow from $242 billion in 2007 to $389 billion by 2012.

Major Social Networking Sites Substantially Expanded Their Global Presence

Elias Zinenko — 2007-08-02T11:38:14+04:00

“During the past year, social networking has really taken off globally,” said Bob Ivins, executive vice president of international markets. “It would appear that social networking is not a fad but rather an activity that is being woven into the very fabric of the global Internet.”

After Shareholders’ Conflict, Eugeny Kaspersky Becomes Kaspersky Lab’s CEO

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-31T17:01:59+04:00

Natalia Kasperskaya may become a head of the board, but will not obtain a direct control of the company’s operational activities, a company insider told the reporters. Experts say that her role at the new position might be rather nominal.

Wikia Buys Grub, a Search Engine Technology to Create an Open Alternative to Google's Engine

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-31T11:43:00+04:00

Basically, Grub adds to Wikia's search project--at least in concept--the heavy computational lifting needed to crawl the Web.

Bill Gates Sees no Threat from Google in Phone Software

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-31T11:38:08+04:00

Gates told the Times it was unlikely that Google would be able to make inroads into Microsoft's share of the market for mobile phone software.

Xerox Invented a Cheap Environmentally Friendly Paper

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-30T17:27:52+04:00

The product will be initially targeted at commercial printers and large businesses, not consumers.

YouTube Will Use Video Recognition Technology to Stop Copyright Infringement on the Site

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-30T15:54:12+04:00

It will allow those holding copyrights on videos to provide a digital fingerprint so that if anyone tries to share a copyrighted video, the system will shut it down within a minute or so.

Veteran Telecommunications Executive Maggie Wilderotter Joins Yahoo's Board

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-30T14:42:10+04:00

This is the first addition to the Yahoo's board since co-founder Jerry Yang took over as chief executive last month.

Coca-Cola Appoints Joe Tripodi As its New Chief Marketing Officer

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-30T12:40:00+04:00

The decision to give Mr Tripodi overall responsiblity for Coca-Cola’s customer and commercial group - currently headed by Robert Leechman - as well as for marketing reflects a broader drive by the company to enhance the presentation and handling of its products at the point of sale.

New Market of Video-Game Ads To Reach $800 mln in Five Years

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-27T18:40:44+04:00

As online gaming -- including on consoles -- becomes more pervasive, game publishers see a lucrative opportunity to deliver in-game ads dynamically over the Internet, changing the ads at regular intervals.

The Need for Qualified IT Staff Is Greater Than Ever, But the Talent Pool Is Thinnest

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-27T14:18:29+04:00

Channel executives complained that even though they often get plenty of applicants for advertised positions, job seekers typically lack the requisite skills and often have unrealistic expectations about compensation and job responsibilities.

Businesses Learn How to Close the Generation Gap in the Workplace

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-27T14:08:23+04:00

Summer is the season of culture shock in the working world, when the old guard comes face to face with a next wave of newcomers, and the result is something like lost tribes encountering explorers for the first time.

Google Has 53% Share of the Today’s Search Market, Yahoo 20%, Microsoft 13%

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-26T18:38:38+04:00

Google had 3.91 billion searches, a 46% jump from a year earlier.

Washington Post Launched a Web Project Focusing on Local Content

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-24T19:35:24+04:00

The idea for Washington Post Co. is to offer so-called “hyperlocal” content, such as school test results and special needs facilities, restaurant locations and menus local information that no other source can match, and then sell advertising against it.

Indian Bank ICICI Ties Up With Colleges and Universities to Create a Talent Pool

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-24T16:32:36+04:00

The group has launched several educational and training courses to create the talent pool and may recruit around 20-25 per cent of the total pool.

Search Services Compete Over How They Protect Consumers' Private Information

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-23T18:57:34+04:00

Microsoft and Ask.com call on industry to evolve privacy protections for consumers. Companies announce commitment to develop privacy principles that will enhance protections and provide more control for consumers.

Google Is Trying to Become an Operator of a Wireless Communications Network

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-21T12:26:57+04:00

Google announced that should the Federal Communications Commission adopt a framework requiring greater competition and consumer choice, Google intends to participate in the federal government’s upcoming auction of wireless spectrum in the 700 megahertz (MHz) band.

As Gen Y Continues to Enter the Workforce, Their Day Jobs Will No Longer Define Who They Are

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-20T11:43:05+04:00

Ryan Healy, 26-year old co-founder of Employee Evolution web-site covering the subject of Y-generation, asserts at his blog posting What does Gen Y want from work? defines some key differences Y-gens make between today’s work environment and the old one.

Google Introduces Hosted Site Search for Small Businesses

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-07-18T15:00:00+04:00

Google Inc. announced Google Custom Search™ Business Edition, a simple and inexpensive way for small businesses to add Google search to their websites. In three simple steps, businesses can sign up online for the hosted service, and in less than 10 minutes customers and visitors are able to search their site using the power of Google's search technology, for more relevant results.

Russia's Leading Pharmacy 36.6 Acquired 4 Local Chains, Opens Its 1000th Store

Ivan Sukhiy — 2007-07-18T13:58:17+04:00

Pharmacy Chain 36.6 announced the completion of four acquisitions of regional pharmacy chains. As a result of these acquisitions Pharmacy Chain 36.6 has expanded by 78 pharmacies situated in four regions of the Russian Federation.The total turnover of the acquired chains is estimated to have reached approximately $35.2 million in 2006.

Moscow Alfa Group Buys Major Russian Auto Dealer Nezavisimost for $170 mln

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-12T15:50:00+04:00

Analytics predict that the auto retailers market will grow 50-70% annually for several years and Alfa will benefit of it.

Manufacturing Has a Negative Image for Generation Y. Attracting Workers Becomes Difficult

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-12T13:51:59+04:00

Progressive companies have already begun to engage this Generation Y, rethinking their talent management model to address their specific needs in a way from which the entire organization can benefit.

Google Lags Behind its Competitors in Asia-Pacific Region

Elias Zinenko — 2007-07-11T13:28:21+04:00

According to First Comprehensive Review of Asia-Pacific by comScore Networks Inc., Google failed to attract the most visitors in any of the 10 Asian countries.

Amazon.com: Earth's Biggest Anything Store Driven by “Two-Pizza Teams”

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-07-10T13:00:00+04:00

Amazon is striving to attract the most talented and creative people because innovation is the part of what the company is. Jeff Bezos has promoted innovative efforts among his employees through the Just Do It program, which rewards those who come up with and execute ideas that help the company without first obtaining permission from their bosses...

Competencies Frameworks of Jack Welch

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-07-10T11:03:00+04:00

... The question I often get: "How can I manage quarterly results and still do what's right for my business five years out?" My answer is, "Welcome to the job!"

... Anyone can manage for the short term - just keep squeezing the lemon. And anyone can manage for the long - just keep dreaming.

...Performing balancing acts every day is leadership.

Competencies Framework of Rudolf Giuliani

Maria Pikalova — 2007-07-04T00:00:02+04:00

When taking a leadership role, try to achieve a clear, decisive victory as early as possible. Aim to solve a problem small enough that it’s easily understood and yields an unambiguous solution...

Next Economy Monitor and Digest

Elias Zinenko — 2007-05-19T10:57:00+04:00

Next Economy Monitor is a section where you can find news about people, businesses and trends of the next economy defined as global, entrepreneurial and knowledge-based. Soon we'll introduce Next Economy Digest. It will cover the most important events and will be e-mailed to subscribers every week.

Google Buys DoubleClick for $3.1 Billion and Thus Prevents Microsoft’s Expansion in Online Search Market

Elias Zinenko — 2007-04-14T18:50:04+04:00

“Keeping Microsoft away from DoubleClick is worth billions to Google,” analysts say. The sale offers Google access to DoubleClick’s advertisement software and, more importantly, its relationships with Web publishers, advertisers and advertising agencies.

Russian Mobile Operator VimpelCom Has Accepted New Strategy And Now Is Aiming to Buy Its Rivals Abroad

Maria Pikalova — 2007-04-13T20:15:47+04:00

Earlier company strategy assumed acquisitions only in those regional markets where it didn’t run its business, but now the second largest in Russia mobile operator is ready to consider consolidated purchases.

Sara Lee Downsizes Management Positions in International Division to Transform to an Integrated Operating Company

Elias Zinenko — 2007-04-13T11:33:34+04:00

Sara Lee’s Chairman and CEO Brenda C Barnes said, "Simplifying our international management structure will keep the focus of our businesses as close to the customer as possible".

John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, Started His Own Blog on Zaadz.com

Elias Zinenko — 2007-04-12T19:00:06+04:00

Zaadz.com, the online social networking site for people passionate about improving their lives and changing the world. In his blog entries he mainly reflects his vision for a more conscious business.

Competencies Framework of Peter Senge

Maria Pikalova — 2007-04-03T15:15:00+04:00

Leaders are people who “walk ahead”, people genuinely committed to deep changes, in themselves and in their organizations. They naturally influence others through credibility, capability, and commitment. And they come in many shapes, sizes and positions.

Jack Welch: Leaders get into everyone's skin, exuding positive energy and optimism

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-03-29T19:48:22+04:00

You know that old saying "The fish rots from the head." The leader's mood is, for lack of a better word, catching...

Oracle and Adobe Systems Report Sharp Rise of Quarter Profit

Elias Zinenko — 2007-03-20T19:38:00+03:00

Two Silicon Valley software giants reported quarterly profit that was up sharply from a year earlier.

Genentech Lets Its People Earn with Passion and Joy

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2007-03-17T22:39:59+03:00

The corporate culture has been Genentech’s competitive advantage since the day the company was founded. There are too many things to say about it, but some bright facts can help to make precise impression. Employees...

Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. Offers Its Customers Unique Retail Entertainment Experience

Maria Pikalova — 2007-03-11T06:00:00+03:00

Build-A-Bear Workshop, an American company providing a “make your own stuffed animal” interactive retail-entertainment experience, was founded in September 1997 by Maxine Clark. It offers approximately...

Peter Senge: Ask your partners questions you can’t answer

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-04-03T04:42:27+04:00

Peter Senge: Create organizational environment for profound change

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-04-03T04:39:17+04:00

Peter Senge: Lead by example

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-04-03T04:37:43+04:00

Peter Senge: Share leader’s role with leadership community

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-04-03T04:35:14+04:00

Peter Senge: Hold creative tension

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-04-03T04:33:51+04:00

Rudolf Giuliani: Communication

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-04-03T03:18:09+04:00

You have to explain to people what you want and what you expect of them. If you’re going to lead, you have to take the ideas that are in your head...

Rudolf Giuliani: Teamwork

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-04-03T03:17:06+04:00

Teamwork is the act of surrounding yourself with people who have strengths where you have weaknesses. When I became mayor, I hired people who knew more than...

Rudolf Giuliani: Prepare Relentlessly

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-04-03T03:15:57+04:00

My first boss was a federal judge named Lloyd MacMahon. He would frequently repeat a phrase that his first boss had drilled into him: don’t assume a damn thing. One of the most...

Rudolf Giuliani: Be an Optimist

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-04-03T03:14:55+04:00

If you want to be a leader you have to be an optimist. Nobody follows a pessimist except very sick people. I found inspiration in reading about Winston Churchill...

Rudolf Giuliani: Have Courage

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-04-03T03:13:47+04:00

A leader has to have courage, and courage is very much misunderstood. Courage is often thought about as beyond the scope of most people. Then we’re always...

Rudolf Giuliani: Develop and Communicate Strong Beliefs

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-04-03T03:12:56+04:00

Great leaders lead by ideas. Ideology is enormously important when running any large organization. That’s especially true when the organization in question is a big...

Rudolf Giuliani: Start Small With Success

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-04-03T03:10:40+04:00

When taking a leadership role, try to achieve a clear, decisive victory as early as possible. Aim to solve a problem small enough that it’s easily understood and yields...

Jack Welch: Leaders make sure people not only see the vision, they live and breathe it

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-30T15:11:00+04:00

As a leader, you have to make the vision come alive. First of all, no jargon. Goals cannot sound noble but vague. Targets cannot be so blurry they can't be hit. Your direction...

Jack Welch: Heavy-duty resilience

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-29T20:11:59+04:00

Every leader makes mistakes, every leader stumbles and falls. The question with senior-level leaders is, do they learn from their mistakes, regroup, and then get going again with renewed speed...

Jack Welch: Ability to see around corners

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-29T20:10:29+04:00

Every leader has to have a vision and the ability to predict the future, but good leaders must have a special capacity to anticipate the radically unexpected...

Jack Welch: Authenticity

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-29T20:09:41+04:00

A person cannot make hard decisions, hold unpopular positions, or stand tall for what he believes unless he knows who he is and feels comfortable...

Jack Welch: If a candidate has the four Es, then you look for that final P - passion

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-29T20:08:54+04:00

By passion, I mean a heartfelt, deep, and authentic excitement about work. People with passion...

Jack Welch: Execute (the ability to get the job done)

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-29T20:07:43+04:00

For a few years, there were just the first three Es. Thinking these traits were more than sufficient, we evaluated hundreds of people and labeled...

Jack Welch: Edge (the courage to make tough yes-or-no decisions)

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-29T20:06:14+04:00

Effective people know when to stop assessing and make a tough call, even without...

Jack Welch: Energize (the ability to energize others)

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-29T20:05:23+04:00

Positive energy is the ability to get other people revved up. People who energize...

Jack Welch: Energy (positive energy)

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-29T20:03:35+04:00

It means the ability to go go go — to thrive on action and relish change. People with positive energy...

Jack Welch: Leaders celebrate

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-29T19:52:35+04:00

Whatever the reason, there is just not enough celebrating going on at work - anywhere. I'm not talking about...

Jack Welch: Leaders inspire risk taking and learning by setting the example

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-29T19:51:53+04:00

Winning companies embrace risk taking and learning. But in reality, these two concepts often get lip service - and little else. Too many managers...

Jack Welch: Leaders probe and push with a curiosity that borders on skepticism, making sure their questions are answered with action

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-29T19:51:11+04:00

When you are a leader, your job is to have all the questions. You have to be incredibly comfortable looking like the dumbest person in the room. Every conversation...

Jack Welch: Leaders have the courage to make unpopular decisions and gut calls

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-29T19:50:15+04:00

No matter where you work or what you do, there are times you have to make hard decisions—let people go, cut funding to a project, or close a plant. Your job is to listen...

Jack Welch: Leaders establish trust with candor, transparency, and credit

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-29T19:49:27+04:00

For some people, becoming a leader can be a real power trip. They relish the feeling of control over both people and information. And so they keep secrets...

Jack Welch: Leaders relentlessly upgrade their team, using every encounter as an opportunity to evaluate, coach, and build self-confidence

Kate Zakomurnaya — 2006-03-29T19:05:45+04:00

There are lucky breaks and bad calls in any season, but the team with the best players usually does win. And that is why...