Wednesday, 18 May 2011 Visit organizations

Today is overcast and drizzling--but not cold or uncomfortable. Our host families did a terrific job of delivering all to our meeting location. Every once in awhile though they cannot do this and our travelers are forced to find their own way in Syktyvkar which is both challenging and engaging. All have made it successfully thus far.

We went to see a "business incubator" and they say that 80% of the entrepreneurial firms they help are in existence 5 years later--that is a pretty amazing success rate (first photo is outside the incubator). We received an excellent briefing from the director of the incubator (second photo is us being attentive!!). They try to help entrepreneurs with training, education and improvement of skills in addition to developing a business plan and finding them sources of funds or venture capitalists (although the private sector investment is pretty weak). The third photo is of the state of Maine seal, framed and on the wall, that we gave to them last year--we are leaving tracks behind where we have been. The fourth photo is us crowded into one of the new start-ups on site. They can stay on the floor where the Incubator is located for three years than they have to leave (but they can rent space in the same building). The fifth shot is us outside the facility getting ready to leave.

We went to a truly local place for lunch and it met our needs perfectly--fast, cheap and good and then we were off to a very successful pulp and paper mill--Mondi. Mondi is owned by Austrians, and it is the largest paper and pulp mill in Europe. They are in an expansion faze (not like in Maine) and have expanded their paper and board production by 20% and their pulp production by 25%. They also supply all the heat and electricity for Syktyvkar. They have four major machines at the facility. The next picture is our arrival followed by a photo of us "suited up" to tour the facility. We received a safety briefing and we were off. They have 4 major machines in the facility and are ISO9001 certified and very ecologically minded--they constantly talked about their social responsibility and sustainability efforts. We only got to see about 10% of the plant. It employs 8500 individuals and it is an important employer in the region. Surprisingly enough you cannot smell anything in the plant area because they have made a major effort to eliminate odors. They have an enormous recovery boiler that can be seen in Syktyvkar 20+ km away. They are moving to a monopoly position in Russia in office and offset paper. They have reduced their use of water and energy and are tough with regards to reseeding and sustainability of forests. The plant used to employ 15,000+ but technology and modernization has both improved productivity and reduced the employment in the plant.

After the tour we were taken to the executive dining room (the next to last picture) where we thought we would get some coffee and tea--instead we were served a three course full lunch (salad, soup and entree). I am pretty sure all were stuffed after this meal.

We then went to a conference room to hear from a member of their board, an HR director and an outside consultant on leadership (in addition to hearing from our guide and the head of external relations).

We then headed back to Syktyvkar and our last evening with families and in Syktyvkar itself. Our flight tomorrow leaves for St. Petersburg at 7 AM (arrival time at airport 5:40 AM) so it will be an early day. We arrive in St. P approximately 90 minutes later and will go to see Peterhof Palace (look it up on line it is an amazing place) then check in to our hotel.
Sadly our hotel does not have internet so I will have to find a spot to continue communications. We have 3 full days left in our Russian experience. I hope you take time to talk with your loved ones about their experiences here. Our last day in St. P involved us checking out of the hotel at 9 AM, touring the Hermitage, St. Peter and Paul Fortress, a canal ride and an 11 PM departure to Moscow, arriving at 7 AM and immediate transfer to airport for 12:55 flight home--arrive at JFK approximately 3 PM on Sunday and have a 6+ hour layover before we get to Portland--if you track the time closely we spend 46+ hours after our check out in St. P transiting to home.

I am sure everyone will be delighted to be at home. It is funny at times when some of our colleagues talk to me and start gesturing and I need to remind them I speak English. You may experience this yourself as well as hear an occasional Russian term or two. You should ask them about the "game" they learned here.

This evening, Andrei Strukov afforded me a unique honor. He is from Syktyvkar, fluent in Russian and a savior on this trip for each and every one of us every day. He invited me to come to his XX high school reunion--they held up choosing a date until they knew he would be here. He had a graduating class of 31 and 17 showed up. The Russian was dizzying, filled with laughter and clear reminiscences of their times together. It was interesting for me to observe this even though my Russian is not that good.

Well, I have packed, it is after midnight and a 4:30 wake-up call will come far too soon.

John F. Mahon

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