Global Connect

R.Epstein

When I left San Diego in 1992 for Prague, it was a very different place than it is today. In 1992, San Diego was “enjoying” the peace dividend which caused the virtual destruction of the defense industry there and less military spending in a town very dependent economically on the presence of the Navy and Marines. The recession of the early ’90’s caused the tourist industry to slow and the exodus of the defense industry workers caused a demographic shift which caused real estate to lose 30 to 50% of its value by around 1995. And that was about all there was. But that was then.

Now, San Diego enjoys a very diverse ecomony that simply did not exist in 1992. There is a vibrant telecom segment which has spilled over into sofware development and internet companies. There is the second or third most important biotech cluster in the world. And then the military presence, the comeback of the defense industry as a result of 9/11 and tourism is stronger than ever. But where did all of this come from?

UCSD Connect, now known as simply Connect, with its offshoot of Global Connect. For more information about the current organization, go to www.connect.org. Historically, UCSD Connect, with its ability to tap into the creative genius of the faculty of UCSD and bring professional service providers and venture capital around them, it was able to become a catalyst for the growth of both of the technology communities. Through Global Connect, www.globalconnect.ucsd.edu, the Connect concept is being successfully spread around the world. A very good thing in the author’s humble opinion.

Networking in Central/Eastern Europe

R.Epstein

As in most places, your rolladex often proves the difference between success and failure. The old adage, “It’s not what you know but who you know” is as true in CEE as it is anywhere else in the world. Perhaps even more so. So buliding a network in CEE is one of the keys to success here.

I’ve been blessed with a relatively outgoing personality which allows me to go out and meet people without too much trouble. Everyone gets tired of this eventually, even me! Bu the critical aspect of this is to do it in an efficient way so that you put yourself in the best position possible to make the kinds of contacts that can really add value to whatever you’re doing. Again, this is true universally and I dare say I’d be surprised if anyone were to disagree.

So in CEE, where to do you go even if you happen to be an outgoing dynamo. This was the problem back in the early 90’s because there simply wasn’t anywhere. Today there are many organizations that hold regular mixers and other educational events that are great places to network. The commerical sections of the many embassies, the chambers of commerce of many countries and the local Lions Clubs or Rotary Clubs exist and usually welcome foreigners. Socially, one of the best way to get to know the funnest group of people in a city is the Hash House Harriers, better known as a drinkers club with a running problem. Check out www.gthhh.com and have fun!

American Bar & Grill in Prague – Part 5

R.Epstein

During our first 9 months in Prague, we had and lost at least three different groups who had committed to finance the project. The last group was led by a Czech who owned an import/export company and convinced us he was prepared to put up the 300,000 USD we thought would get the reconstruction done and six months into the business. Sounds crazy now, but this was my partners project and I was following his lead. Such were the fast times in Prague in 1993.

The truth was never made clear to us. Either he didn’t have the money or just got cold feet when it came time to pay. These many years later I am still convinced that it was a winning concept. Whether or not we could have executed is another story entirely. To a certain level I’m sure, but given how my partner conducted himself in our telecom business, we definitely would have reached a limit if we didn’t bring in other talent. But now we’ll never know.

By the summer of 1993, we had gotten under construction, expended the little money we had saved before coming to Europe and reached a decision point. We could afford to give the bar and grill concept another four months or so, and if nothing broke, we would be and probably would have had to return to the US. We decided to put the project on hold indefinitely and begin seeking out clients to consult with and interestingly found a few rather quickly. My partners hotel experience came in very handy as he landed a few hotel consulting jobs. By September the telecom business began to hit so suddenly things didn’t look so dire. At least not for a while!