ОАО RZHD along with FinExpertiza held a two-day conference in Yaroslavl for financiers of the Holding

On 11 September, there was a final day of a two-day field conference in Yaroslavl organized by FinExpertiza for the managers on financial and economic issues of RZHD. The event was dedicated to formation of the consolidated financial plan of the Holding for 2016-2018 in the context of challenges and prospects under conditions of current economics and foreign policies.

The conference started with the report of Roman Polikin, First Deputy Head of Department for Corporate Finances of ОАО RZHD, who declared the agenda of the event. Based on the extensive actual statistics on the key macroeconomic indicators in the country, he spoke about the main directions in actualization of the financial strategy of the Holding in the context of the current situation. The report included the risk assessment for achieving the financial plan parameters of the Holding for 2015, and the perspectives of improving the financial management and payment & settlement policy.

Afterwards, Vladimir Maksimushkin, First Deputy Head of Department for Economic Conditions and Strategic Development of ОАО RZHD, spoke about details of the Strategy implementation based on control parameters of the target state of RZHD and its subsidiaries and dependent companies.

Aleksander Ananyev, Deputy Head of Department for Economics of ОАО RZHD, spoke about preparation for 2016 budget campaign and implementation of the project for the balance between production and economic parameters of RZHD activities.

At the end of the first day of the conference, the economists Aleksander Isakov from VTB Capital and Artem Zaigrin from Deutsche Bank familiarized the participants with a detailed overview of the macroeconomic situation in Russia and the world and stated the key vectors of development for actualization of strategic plans.

The second day of the conference was busy as well. The day started with the report of Ilgiz Baymuratov, Deputy General Director of FinExpertiza. Based on the extensive experience of the company, Ilgiz gave an overview of integrated solutions for the transport industry under recession.

Afterwards, Alexander Romanov, Deputy Head of Department for Corporate Finances of ОАО RZHD spoke about common principles and approaches to the management of financial risks in the Holding.

Margarita Fedoseeva, Director for Finances of PAO TransContainer, shared her experience in risk management in the company.

The report of Aleksey Vinnikov, Director for Economics of JSC Federal Freight, was dedicated to improvement of decision-making processes through increasing the efficiency of management accounting system of the company.

Grigoriy Rubin, Partner and Managing Executive of BСG Moscow, spoke about the RZHD's transformation from the carrier into the transport and logistics company. His report disclosed the experience and issues in implementation of this strategy in Gefco and OTLK that were the first to participate in this process.

The final part of the event included the discussion of the key topics at the conference, and the participants were able to ask actual questions again and get feedback from the managers on financial and economic issues of the holding RZHD.

In addition to the busy schedule of business events, the conference program implied informal communication of participants during exploring the historic sites of Yaroslavl, the ancient Russian city, and travel to the historical and cultural complex "Vyatskoye".

Here's the feedback from the key speakers of the event in regard to the first field conference organized by FinExpertiza for RZHD:

Roman Polikin, First Deputy Head, Department for Corporate Finances of ОАО RZHD:

- It is important for the central apparatus to inform other subdivisions and companies of the Holding about the actions and policies we are implementing. As I think, field conferences are the effective instrument to address such issues as the full immersion with no distraction caused by current affairs and meetings makes it possible for us to convey directly to our convenience the strategic goals and objectives, develop a common vector to understand and achieve them, propose work models and explain the methodology. At the same time, we get information from our subsidiaries on problems arising in the course of work, and have the opportunity to correct something quickly. In addition, informal communication with colleagues allows us to discuss many important issues that normally could remain unnoticed.

Vladimir Maksimushkin, First Deputy Head, Department for Economic Conditions and Strategic Development of ОАО RZHD:
- Such conferences solve several problems. i.e. first of all, informing certain subdivisions, subsidiaries, branches about techniques, approaches, ideologies in the management of the holding. Another equally important task being solved in scope of our activities is the formation of feedback. The free exchange of views and information in a vivid dialogue between the managers of the subsidiaries and the parent company in the Holding allows us to remove many issues quickly at the discussion stage. At the conference in Yaroslavl, we had very productive discussions with colleagues about linkage between medium-term & annual planning and long-term strategy of the Holding. This matter provokes many discussions and more than one discussion lie ahead for us. Thanks to such activities, we develop common approaches and solutions.

Aleksander Ananyev, Deputy Head, Department for Economics of ОАО RZHD:
- Events organized by FinExpertiza become regular. However, this field conference was held for the first time. Advantages of this format are obvious, namely efficient close work: at the first day we clarify strategic goals of the Holding for the subsidiaries, share information, spend much time on methodology, and then we discuss specific issues actual for subsidiaries and dependent companies in a free mode. It is important that the conference in Yaroslavl took place on the eve of the budget campaign, and I hope that branch offices and subsidiaries will get a lot of important information in terms of the overall strategy, and it will allow them to successfully cope with the tasks in forming the budget for the next year.

Aleksey Vinnikov, Director for Economics of JSC Federal Freight:
- I think, this format is the very effective instrument for interaction with the management of the central apparatus and for exchange of experience with colleagues from other subsidiaries and branches. Live communication allows for getting a first-hand detailed explanation of strategy, methodology, and many other practical issues.