Our March networking meeting 'The British- How to do Business with them was another success.
With more than 90 people attending our 'standing only' meeting was a bit more social than usual and our members and guests told me they liked it.
Our speakers were: Derek Mansfield - President of Bold Endeavours, who gave a super presentation on the ENGLISH. I think this was one of the best short presentations I have seen from one of our members.
Alex Frishberg - Managing Partner, Frishberg & Partners shared some of his experiences of working with British expats in Kyiv from the early days.
Olga Revina - Management Consultant described her experiences of the different understandings between British and Ukrainian people. (Sometimes we Brits are not serious enough)
Jim Hydzik - Editor & Writer, talked about his work with London based media owners and how it pays off to be 'polite' when dealing with the British.
Our own Tony Wood, then gaves us his personal opinion on the future of how the British are going to do business in the UK. He tolds us about his THREE P's -Purpose, People, Partnership approach to doing business.
This month we had a few more members join the BBCU but we still need many more and a lot more effort is being placed on this. I am sure the Radisson Hotel were happy to get our business again, but its getting more expensive. I just hope the new web site is ready for launching early next month.
Our next meeting will be very soon - Tuesday 7th April and will be a joint meeting with the British Ukrainian Society.
27 March 2009
12 March 2009
The British - How to do business with them?
The global financial crisis continues to create new and everyday challenges for the government in Ukraine. The big question is 'Will Ukraine default"?
There are many western banks that cannot afford for Ukraine to default. Sometimes it appears that external interests are more concerned about the situation in Ukraine, than the leadership in Ukraine.
The crisis has really caught up with Ukraine and many businesses are in trouble. Many people have lost their jobs. The frustrating bit, is that the countrys leaders still appear to be more interested in fighting each other than with finding solutions to economic problems.
We will see what unfolds in the next few days.
How ever bad things are, we must always try to be positive and think towards the future with fresh hope. (Even if we cannot get our money out of the bank). Business will continue for those who can manage and implement a survival plan. We all know that in times of hardship, there will always be opportunities for some. So, the next BBCU meeting will be about how to do business with the British. We have some interesting speakers lined up to share their views on this subject.
If you can make it we hope to see you there: Thursday 26 March 2009 - Radisson SAS Hotel, Kyiv - 1900
There are many western banks that cannot afford for Ukraine to default. Sometimes it appears that external interests are more concerned about the situation in Ukraine, than the leadership in Ukraine.
The crisis has really caught up with Ukraine and many businesses are in trouble. Many people have lost their jobs. The frustrating bit, is that the countrys leaders still appear to be more interested in fighting each other than with finding solutions to economic problems.
We will see what unfolds in the next few days.
How ever bad things are, we must always try to be positive and think towards the future with fresh hope. (Even if we cannot get our money out of the bank). Business will continue for those who can manage and implement a survival plan. We all know that in times of hardship, there will always be opportunities for some. So, the next BBCU meeting will be about how to do business with the British. We have some interesting speakers lined up to share their views on this subject.
If you can make it we hope to see you there: Thursday 26 March 2009 - Radisson SAS Hotel, Kyiv - 1900
27 February 2009
Three Way Meeting a great success
Our February meeting last night was another great success. Over 100 people attended our joint BBCU, BUS & EU-Ukraine Business Council meeting - The Rule of Law in Ukraine.
Our two main guest speakers were John Grogan MP (Member for Selby) and Sir Brian Neill.
John inspired people with a positive speech about the relationships between the UK and Ukraine, but reminded everyone that the 2012 Euro football events must be a success, or it will prove a disappointment for Ukraines image abroad.
Sir Brian Neill gave an outstanding presentation on the findings from his first visit last year along with Sir Henry Brooke. He gave an interested account of where Ukraine currently stands in legal process terms. (Copies of the report were made available at the meeting in both English and Ukrainian). I must say I admire him the way he just stands up and without any notes and remembers names and places and dates and gives an accurate account of things. He is a very professional man and a fine example of a former senior British judge. They dont make them like him anymore. He makes me proud to be British.
Many people from the audience shared my views also and came to express how impressed they were. One young woman asked me why we dont form a road show and tour around the country inspring young people inlaw schools and universities. A great idea, but a full time job also.
So, another successful event and many people stayed on later as usual to 'celebrate'.
I would like to thank James Wilson of the EU-Ukraine Business Council and Vera Kravchanko from the British Ukrainian Society for helping to organis this three way event.
Our two main guest speakers were John Grogan MP (Member for Selby) and Sir Brian Neill.
John inspired people with a positive speech about the relationships between the UK and Ukraine, but reminded everyone that the 2012 Euro football events must be a success, or it will prove a disappointment for Ukraines image abroad.
Sir Brian Neill gave an outstanding presentation on the findings from his first visit last year along with Sir Henry Brooke. He gave an interested account of where Ukraine currently stands in legal process terms. (Copies of the report were made available at the meeting in both English and Ukrainian). I must say I admire him the way he just stands up and without any notes and remembers names and places and dates and gives an accurate account of things. He is a very professional man and a fine example of a former senior British judge. They dont make them like him anymore. He makes me proud to be British.
Many people from the audience shared my views also and came to express how impressed they were. One young woman asked me why we dont form a road show and tour around the country inspring young people inlaw schools and universities. A great idea, but a full time job also.
So, another successful event and many people stayed on later as usual to 'celebrate'.
I would like to thank James Wilson of the EU-Ukraine Business Council and Vera Kravchanko from the British Ukrainian Society for helping to organis this three way event.
22 February 2009
Ukraine cannot afford to default
Many European banks will be hit hard if Ukraine defaults as a country.
The Austrian banks have a significant level of exposure in Ukraine so do the Hungarians and Germans and many others.
Times of recession bring people back down to reality. But I still think we have a long way to go in Kyiv. Anyone visiting a shop, bar, restaurant or cafe in Kyiv city centre will see that prices are still very high when compared to other European cities. Many visitors still find this hard to understand about Ukraine.
Property prices have now reduced. Although the evidence is weak as very few transactions are taking place. Many people have lost jobs and companies are going to the wall in Ukraine, but the ones that survive still hold onto a unique system that is only practiced in former soveit states.
That practice is; they just DO NOT PAY STAFF.
Ukrainian employees will continue to turn up for work everyday knowing they will not get paid and living in the hope that they will get paid 'one day'. The mentality is that its better to have a job than no job. I still find this hard to understand and smile when I think about what would happen if you told your employees in the UK that they can continue working without pay!!!!
Lets see what happens in the country this week.
The Austrian banks have a significant level of exposure in Ukraine so do the Hungarians and Germans and many others.
Times of recession bring people back down to reality. But I still think we have a long way to go in Kyiv. Anyone visiting a shop, bar, restaurant or cafe in Kyiv city centre will see that prices are still very high when compared to other European cities. Many visitors still find this hard to understand about Ukraine.
Property prices have now reduced. Although the evidence is weak as very few transactions are taking place. Many people have lost jobs and companies are going to the wall in Ukraine, but the ones that survive still hold onto a unique system that is only practiced in former soveit states.
That practice is; they just DO NOT PAY STAFF.
Ukrainian employees will continue to turn up for work everyday knowing they will not get paid and living in the hope that they will get paid 'one day'. The mentality is that its better to have a job than no job. I still find this hard to understand and smile when I think about what would happen if you told your employees in the UK that they can continue working without pay!!!!
Lets see what happens in the country this week.
18 February 2009
February Event - The Rule of Law
I am sat in a hotel lobby in Athens reading my emails.
Cannot help but notice the big difference between Athens and Kyiv right now.
Everyone seems to be forecasting more doom and gloom for Ukraine. "On the brink of collapse" etc etc. Maybe they will prove to be right. BUT, life will go on. Things may get pretty bad this year in Ukraine. But we must all continue to remain optimistic about the long term future.
So optimistic, that our next meeting on 26th February will be about the RULE OF LAW in Ukraine. This will be a joint meeting with the British Ukrainian Society and the EU-Ukraine Business Council.
So, back to the airport. Ukraine still offers opportunity. Many still waiting to be discovered.
Cannot help but notice the big difference between Athens and Kyiv right now.
Everyone seems to be forecasting more doom and gloom for Ukraine. "On the brink of collapse" etc etc. Maybe they will prove to be right. BUT, life will go on. Things may get pretty bad this year in Ukraine. But we must all continue to remain optimistic about the long term future.
So optimistic, that our next meeting on 26th February will be about the RULE OF LAW in Ukraine. This will be a joint meeting with the British Ukrainian Society and the EU-Ukraine Business Council.
So, back to the airport. Ukraine still offers opportunity. Many still waiting to be discovered.
31 January 2009
January - Off to a great start
The BBCU had its first monthly meeting on 30 January and we had a very good turnout from members and guests. It was a good opportunity to find out what is going on in the local business community. Our speakers were: Terry Pickard (Current situation in the property market),
Richard Brady (The rule of law in Ukraine , update on the project), Stuart McKenzie (Burns night event), Clive Hunter-Dunne (economic crisis), Peter Burningham (Some positives on the current situation), Tony Wood (Whats happening in Banks).
We will be moving to our new office on 2 February and will make sure we inform all our members, clients and friends about our new contact details.
The BBCU web site will be re-designed and we will have a new look thanks to the work of our new members " Bold Endeavours". I can certainly recommend this company. Visit to their web site: www.boldendeavours.com
Richard Brady (The rule of law in Ukraine , update on the project), Stuart McKenzie (Burns night event), Clive Hunter-Dunne (economic crisis), Peter Burningham (Some positives on the current situation), Tony Wood (Whats happening in Banks).
We will be moving to our new office on 2 February and will make sure we inform all our members, clients and friends about our new contact details.
The BBCU web site will be re-designed and we will have a new look thanks to the work of our new members " Bold Endeavours". I can certainly recommend this company. Visit to their web site: www.boldendeavours.com
15 January 2009
BBCU Plans for 2009
2009 will be a very interesting year in Ukraine.
We have already kicked off with the usual dispute over gas supplies with the Russian Federation.
Towards the end of the year we will see political campaigns developing for the Presidential Elections in January 2010.
The economic situation will be challenging this year for all businesses in Ukraine.
Perhaps the first quarter will be a trying time for survival of the strongest.
During 2009 the BBCU will grow into a stronger business organisation. We have structured the BBCU into three parts: BBCU Business Club, BBCU Business Centre, and BBCU Teaching and Training Centre. We have already developed a strong reputation in our teaching and training courses and we have many clients throughout the Kyiv business community.
We intend to continue increasing our Business Club membership and our monthly meetings will see a high turnout from the business community. We are encouraged by the feedback from our members that they actually 'enjoy' our meetings and find them interesting, entertaining and a place to meet really interesting people.
We will get the web site update soon and promote the full range of services we offer.
We are also preparing to move office to the heart of the city centre.
This is going to be a GREAT year in Ukraine.
We have already kicked off with the usual dispute over gas supplies with the Russian Federation.
Towards the end of the year we will see political campaigns developing for the Presidential Elections in January 2010.
The economic situation will be challenging this year for all businesses in Ukraine.
Perhaps the first quarter will be a trying time for survival of the strongest.
During 2009 the BBCU will grow into a stronger business organisation. We have structured the BBCU into three parts: BBCU Business Club, BBCU Business Centre, and BBCU Teaching and Training Centre. We have already developed a strong reputation in our teaching and training courses and we have many clients throughout the Kyiv business community.
We intend to continue increasing our Business Club membership and our monthly meetings will see a high turnout from the business community. We are encouraged by the feedback from our members that they actually 'enjoy' our meetings and find them interesting, entertaining and a place to meet really interesting people.
We will get the web site update soon and promote the full range of services we offer.
We are also preparing to move office to the heart of the city centre.
This is going to be a GREAT year in Ukraine.
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