Center for Citizen Initiatives
Productivity Enhancement Program
PEP's mission is to encourage increased
production of goods and services
in Russia by training groups of non-English-
speaking Russian manufacturers and enterprise
owners in American businesses and manufacturing
sites.
The Program:
- PEP conducts Pre-Travel Training with
carefully screened non-English-speaking Russian
business managers in Russia before they come to
the United States for industry sector training. The
training focuses on business topics, business plan
development, documentation skills, and US
cultural norms. Training is conducted by in-country staff, volunteer consultants, and Russian
CCI Fellows (graduates of PEP and the EDP
Internship Project).
- The US Training consists of a three- to four-week
intensive program. Training is carried out via
modules in approximately a dozen business sites
within a specific industry sector. Each group
completes all modules together with two
interpreters. Modules include: types of ownership,
organizational development, business planning,
cost accounting, advertising, marketing, product
innovation, inventory control, organization of
labor, profit management, workforce management,
equipment and machinery, and other industry-
specific subjects.
- PEP has a built-in "Train-the-Trainers"
component. While in the US, Russian delegates
are trained to become industry-sector presenters
when they return to Russia. Each is required to
document their daily learnings in a carefully
organized Workbook to capture data for future
retrieval. Photos, contracts, organizational charts,
industry statistics, and contacts are gathered and
placed in designated Workbook spaces for easy
access. Prior to their return, CCI offices arrange from one
to three presentations at business colleges, industry
worksites, to new PEP applicants, high school
classes, or for radio audiences.
- Once having completed the training, the
delegate becomes a part of the CCI Fellowship. This
assures long-term continuity and helps
entrepreneurs to develop new business relations.
CCI Fellows are invited to participate in the EDP
Consulting Project, regular networking meetings,
and annual trade shows.
Target Market/Beneficiaries:
A PEP participant must be an owner, manager, or
top decision maker in a private, wholly Russian-owned
small or medium sized business. The
company must provide either products or services
primarily for the Russian market. Participants
must undergo intensive pre-travel training and
orientation during which time the intensity and
seriousness of the US component is stressed.
Contracts regarding behaviors and activities while
in the US are signed by the Russians. Participants
must agree to methodical documentation of the US
experience and be ready to make presentations upon
return home.
Upcoming Delegations of the Productivity Enhancement Program
Funding:
PEP began in 1996. It is made possible through
substantial donations of time, expertise, housing and
transportation on the part of US consultants,
training coordinators, home hosts, and professional
associations; civic clubs such as Rotary, Kiwanis, & Sister-City
organizations; participant
contributions; and a grant from the United States
Information Agency.
If you would like more information about hosting a group of Russian
entrepreneurs in your community, please click here to request
more info.
PEP's Funders and Supporters:
United States Information Agency
Rotary International
Kiwanis Clubs
Contact:
Pola Shornik - Manager of Outreach Department
ccipep@igc.apc.org
[Return to CCI Home Page]
[Request more information about PEP]
Rotarians and Kiwanians are invited...
to show off their communities & businesses, and help Russian entrepreneurs at the same time.
Small Business Legal Delegation to arrive US Oct. 28, 1998.
What the papers are saying about this highly-successful program.