Academic Apec visitor met with the future

Oleg Vikhanski

Director

School of Business, Moscow State University, Russia

What did last nonth's Apec CEO Summit mean to you?


For me, it was a really great chance to meet famous and very important business leaders. Leaders who not only come from different countries, but also from different cultures.

It was, to some extent, "meeting with the future".

How did you stay in contact with your organisation while in New Zealand?


I brought with me from Russia a cellular telephone with a roaming system. My colleagues in Moscow could dial my Moscow phone number and talk to me in Auckland very easily. I could do the same, of course, to them.

I could also contact my colleagues by e-mail, using my notebook computer, but I didn't do so as I prefer to talk by phone.

What makes your day at work?


Just dividing up my day efficiently.

If I am not abroad for teaching or for participating in a conference, I usually stay in my office, working at my desk.

From time to time I visit corporate customers whom I consult with on issues of strategy. But mainly managers from those companies come and visit me for consulting in my office at the university.

In addition to that, unfortunately, I have to spend a lot of time participating in different social events and receptions.

How did you get where you are today?


By hard work and a readiness to help people that I work with to solve their problems.

What was the most important lesson you learned on your way up?


The most valuable resource is trust within yourself and a positive attitude towards the people who you work with.

What advice would you give to a young person starting out in your field of work?


To be committed to the obligations that they take on themselves.

First of all they must be committed to the organisation they belong to and then I would advise them to be very optimistic, even in the very saddest situations.

And smile a lot.

What is the biggest challenge to your organisation in the present economy?


In the case of Russia, in the absence of real competition in the field of our activity, I would say that it is difficult to aim and reach for high international standards in teaching of managers.

According to Russian standards the quality of our teaching and consultation with business organisations is very high. But we know that we need to improve dramatically in order to provide really high-quality services.

What ambitions do you have?


To be recognised in Russia as a person who is playing a key role in the development of business education.

How do you relax?



By listening to music. I like both jazz and classical music. I also like to visit Russian saunas.

* Professor Vikhanski talked with Susan Jennison.