- By Dan Veaner
- Around Town
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Russians holding Amreican flagsFor three weeks the Ithaca area was invaded by eleven Russian marketing directors. They were sponsored by three local Rotary Clubs, including Lansing's Ithaca Cayuga Rotary. The four businessmen and seven businesswomen, along with a facilitator and an interpreter, visited several local businesses to see how a variety of American companies do business and market their products and services.The delegates came from all over Russia, from Saint Petersburg to Siberia. The visit was under the umbrella of the Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP), a San Francisco-based initiative that supports the development and stabilization of the Russian economy by bringing Russian business people to the US to learn managerial skills. Local families housed them, and businesses, including many in Lansing, welcomed them for special sessions in which American business and marketing practices were discussed.
David PenepentDavid Penepent, manager of Herson's Funeral Home and director of international affairs for the Ithaca Sunrise Rotary club, was the prime mover behind the Ithaca visit. He not only organized the program, but he also presented to the group as a businessman as well as housing one of the delegates. "The whole concept behind the Russian project," he says,"was to have the delegates come in and see the practical application of (marketing) theories in individual businesses. We've chosen a variety of businesses so they can see how variations on the same concept are applied to different markets and different consumers." 
Pete Wadach (enter) of the Carey McKinney Group in Lansing talks about the insurance business.
Variety certainly describes their itinerary. Rotarian Joe McAfee set up visits to over 20 businesses as diverse as banks and spas, a funeral home and insurance company, retail stores, a car dealership, realtor and an Internet business, among others. Local presenters were innovative. Lansing entrepreneur Ann Marie Hautaniemi presented the marketing side of selling on the World Wide Web, while consumer Nancy McAfee told what makes her buy, or not buy products on the Internet.
Ithaca Cayuga Rotary President Ann Marie Hautaniemi presents Rotary banner to Galina Startseva
Cornell was also on their route. A group of Freshmen took a break from studying to learn about Russian culture and what it is like to live there. "The delegates started off by singing Russian songs, and the students really enjoyed being part of this festive and joyful Russian attitude. Then they asked the Russians whether they have computers over there. Some people think these people are in the Dark Ages, but in reality some of these places are just as technologically advanced, or are working towards where we are today."
"The whole concept behind Rotary is to put service above self. What got me interested in this was that this is a kind of diplomatic way of creating unity between two countries," says Mr. Penepent. "Especially after the cold war... for some three decades we feared the Russians. By bringing them into our community and having them experience different businesses, cultural and social activities, we realize they're not so different from us. All of a sudden, when you put that into perspective, the world's a pretty small place."
On the second to last day Peter Brellochs and Mark Haase conducted presentation to tell the delegates about the Rotary Club and talk about how they might join or start Rotary clubs in Russia. "We had heard about these delegations that come to our country to learn about our business practices," explains Mr. Brellochs, "and we thought that fit into what Rotary is proud of doing, which is to promote international good will. It seemed like a natural fit."
Party time! David Penepent and the delegates
The visit wasn't all work and no play. The delegates attended local rotary club meetings (see previous story), and took trips around town and elsewhere in their free time. One weekend trip took the group to Philadelphia, while another brought them to Niagara Falls. "We went on the Maid of the Mist," said Saint Petersburg resident Galina Startseva. "We all got wet," she smiled.
Delegates made genuine Russian borscht
Mr. Penepent says, "The home hosts were some of the most wonderful people you could ever imagine. These people have opened their homes, their lifestyles, and made them a part of their families for three weeks. They're saying, 'We wish they could stay longer, because we're having a great time with them.' It's really going to be sad to see them go."
He cooked grits for Georgiy Atayan, of Voronezh, who stayed with him. "I said, 'George, you're going to try grits!' and he said, 'What is this grits you speak of?' We have talked about everything from the economic structure of the Russian economy to disobedient children in America," he laughed. "It's very interesting to see how their concept of family is different from ours."
Later that day Rotarian Dick Page hosted a farewell party for the delegates, presenters, home hosts and organizers at his lakeside home. Alongside American foods were Russian salads and borscht made by some of the delegates. After dinner it was time for entertainment which included Russian songs, dancing and a skit. The Russians led the festivities, but involved the Americans at every stage. "Eat, drink and be merry" was the order of the evening. Presenting gifts to the delegates, Mr. Penepent told the crowd, "This has been one of the best experiences of my life.
Russians teach Americans a dance with Slava Stepashkin (white shirt, center) interpreting the moves from Russian instructions
"It's interesting how quickly you can establish friendships. They're very accessible, outgoing people," says Mr. Brellochs. "I told them that some of this reflects courage on their part, to say, 'We're willing to look at another part of the world, notwithstanding everything we've ever heard about the United States.' Wonderful program, wonderful idea. We're delighted they're here."
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