Dmitry Potapenko- not just a charismatic Russian entrepreneur, in last years he grew into a politician known for his sharp criticism of the economic policy of the state. Also Dmitry Potapenko became known for its introduction to clean water those who are behind such a phenomenon as , which our hero quite rightly considers an illegal mechanism for taking away real estate from the townspeople.

Dmitry Potapenko, not being the creator of really large retail chains for the mass sector, is known as a kind of consulting guru in the development of this area of ​​domestic business and as an interesting speaker, a bright public figure loved by the press.

Biography of a charismatic businessman Dmitry Potapenko

The trading networks led by the hero of our story feel quite confident even amid the storms of the crisis and sanctions, but the largest networks that he led in the past are still not his property, states our business news portal.

Potapenko Dmitry
Industry - Trade, retail
Company - Management Development Group Inc.
Position - managing partner
Place of birth - Moscow

Dmitry Potapenko- Managing Partner of Management Development Group Inc, this charismatic businessman is known for his harsh words. For example, at an industry conference of retailers, he said: "Each of you will be offered to" sit on the track "as soon as the business becomes interesting to any particular kid in uniform" (see the full text of the speech). In an interview, our speaker also honestly admits that he does not eat at his establishments and does not buy products in his stores: "If you start adding an emotional component, you stop seeing the nuances," explains Mr. Potapenko.

In the 1990s, Dmitry Potapenko was a security guard for a year and a half, guarding the president of the Russian Credit Bank. Dmitry Potapenko founded his first trading network in 1992 with Natashkyang Korotia Systems - these were Tusar electronics stores.

Career Dmitry Potapenko

1995-2000 Dmitry Potapenko- Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Grundic GmbH in the Baltic States
1998-2001 Dmitry Potapenko - CEO JSC "MEZ DSP", Vice-President for Investment Development of PBK "CreditImpexBank"
2001-2003 Dmitry Potapenko- Deputy Managing Director of the Logos group of companies, General Director of LLC Centers wholesale sales"
2003-2005 - manager sales network"Pyaterochka" (Moscow and Moscow region)

2005 - present temp. - Managing Partner of Management Development Group Inc.

Education Dmitry Potapenko

Moscow Institute of Radio Engineering and Automation, MBA (Economics)
BABT at the Ministry of Economic Development, MBA (Business & Economic Option) California State University (Hay Ward)

And that's what Dmitry Potapenko writes about himself:
Native Muscovite in the 4th generation, of which there are no more in Moscow ... I studied a lot and still study .... MBA, California Heyward State University, Economic Option MBA, Economics, VAVT under the Ministry economic development and trade
Certificate of the Moscow Regional Audit Chamber, " International Standards accounting and reporting» IAS/GAAP
Certificate of the center "Det Norske Veritas", "Internal audit of quality systems". ISO 9000:2000 standards, Moscow Institute of Radio Engineering, Electronics and Automation; Diploma "Engineer-designer-technologist".

Business proposals of Dmitry Potapenko

How to spend my money... I'll decide for myself... no need to write or call...
Have worked. A lot of. And I will work. For life is work ... every time on a different one. Rest is the same work. Unless, of course, you do it professionally.
Grundig. "Pyaterochka", "Carousel", "Skhodnya-Mebel", GC "Logos", etc.
Now he is the founder and managing partner of Management Development Group Inc. www.7MD.EU Further, like an official summary, so as not to explain: “What did you do “Before now”?” Pyaterochka, Karusel, Retail chain
JSC General Director. Network Manager for the Central Federal District. Supermarket chain with more than 150 objects. Retail, Development
What did he do? Operational management and development of the Pyaterochka network in Moscow and the Moscow Region, in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region
Development of business processes and procedures for the Karusel hypermarket
Launch of the Karusel hypermarket

Work with the Mayor’s Office, Prefectures and Administrations of Moscow, the Government of Moscow and the Moscow Region, the Administration of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region
Search and purchase of objects and land plots for construction and rent
Preparation of company documents and access to IPO
Creation of construction projects and their coordination in the Civil Defense and Epidemiological Service, Sanepidnadzor, the Consumer Market Administration, GLAVAPU.
External architectural solutions and advertising companies
Creation of shopping complexes with a single concept
Creation of layouts and calculations.
Planning and control of the work of merchandising companies.
Sales and pricing policy
Financial flow management
Credit policy, attracting investment resources from the Government of Moscow and the Moscow Region, international investment banks and companies
Preparing a company for an IPO
Organization and control, work of companies in the field of procurement, sales, logistics, warehouse complex, 10,000 people.

GC "Logos", LLC "Wholesale Sales Centers"

Deputy Managing Director of the Group of Companies, General Director of the company. A group of companies from 7 directions of wholesale and retail channels in Moscow and the CIS for the sale of printed materials. Dealer and wholesale deliveries to the regions.

What did he do?

Management, development and restructuring of the holding.


Tax minimization.


Organization and control over the work of companies in the field of procurement, sales, logistics of the warehouse complex, 2500 people.
Analysis of the financial and economic activities of the company, 10 million $ / month.
Planning new activities

JSC "MEZ DSP and D", PKB "CreditImpexBank"

CEO. Vice President for Investment Development. One of the largest factories in Europe for the production of chipboard and furniture parts. Related productions. Woodworking technologies, building materials.

What did he do?

Restructuring of enterprises and anti-crisis management.
Business development programs in cooperation with PKB "CreditImpexBank".
Holding project management.
Tax minimization.
Optimization customs procedures, credit and leasing relationships;
Creation of a system for adapting the company to fiscal audits.
Management of financial flows;
Managing a team of 2500 people;
Creation of a management team according to Myers Briks typology.
Conducting equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions of companies.
Optimization of business and business processes according to ISO 9000:2000 and IAS/GAAP;
Corporate development directions.
Reengineering of the holding divisions.

Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Moscow office American corporation Manhatan Ind. Corp. Exclusive manufacturer of goods under the trademarks: Grundig, AKAI Ind, Sankyong Chemical.

What did he do?

Strategic and operational planning and management;
Creation marketing strategy, setting the location of the product.
Marketing research; market segmentation;
positioning of the company;
Pricing strategy of the company, promotion of TM.
Monitoring and managing logistics operations.
Tax minimization.
Organization of wholesale and retail trade operations of the company ($ 120 million/year turnover).
Creation of client networks and service networks in Moscow and regions.
Placement of orders for production at factories in South Korea, China, USA, Germany
Development and analysis of investment projects.
Development of new products and services;
Tax minimization.
Internal training programs
Management of information and analytical flows

Dmitry Potapenko, businessman: “Before the crisis, entrepreneurs did not work, but were just bars”Comments: 110
Businessmen groan under the yoke of the crisis. What do entrepreneurs have to sacrifice?
Will the new Trade Law lower food prices? Who took advantage economic problems to redistribute property? About this and much more in an interview with the former CEO of the Pyaterochka retail chain Dmitry Potapenko, managing partner of Management Development Group Inc., which includes a dozen retail chains, restaurants and manufacturing enterprises with a total turnover of more than $140 million per year.

FIVE FLIGHTS PER WEEK

The interview took place on the field. At 10.30 Dmitry Potapenko arrived from Perm at the Kazansky railway station. We agreed to meet at the neighboring one - Leningradsky - at the monument to Lenin. The businessman was going to transfer to the train to Tver.

Growth under a meter ninety, weight over 100 kilos. Dressed in a suede jacket and leather pants. The image is complemented by a short haircut. The police like to check the documents of such comrades at railway stations - well, what a millionaire! And not a single bag with him (to a bewildered question, he pulls out a bag with toothpaste and a brush from his jacket pocket: “I move light”).

What are you, Dmitry, gathered in Tver on an electric train - a crisis?

It's like saying: Muscovites take the subway because of the crisis. Although normal people usually travel in the transport that is convenient.

- “Normal”, maybe they actually drive whatever they have to. But I have never seen businessmen with a multimillion-dollar fortune in trains ...

Don't think of rich people as schizophrenics. Many of them buy groceries at Auchan and travel around Moscow by metro. Ninety percent of the office plankton that needs to be driven with a filthy broom from any job aspires to this fetish - the car, reverently says Potapenko rolling his eyes.

What, you don't have a car?

And not one - five. But the question is: why? If the conversation is about prestige, then we return to the thought of schizophrenia. On the other hand, imagine that you bought a Lamborghini. Live in a village where everyone has it. Attention, the question is: do you get rid of the fact that you got a Lamborghini?

No, if in this village it stands in every yard ...

Right. And it’s another matter if you get out onto a public road, and there are “sixes” and “eights” nearby ... The person who believes that they are squeezing out in front of him in a Lamborghini is just a sucker. He has an inferiority complex. And I don't give a damn about all this. I can ride the subway too. - Potapenko pulls out a travel card for 60 trips from his shirt pocket. - I travel to Tver by train 2-3 times a month, when there is a meeting of the board of directors of one of the retail chains. Four or five flights per week. This is how I always work.

"WORKING WORKERS WANTED TO PUNCH MY FACE"

How did the crisis affect the work of your enterprises?

Demand collapsed. Sales in our retail chains fell by an average of 16%. We began to prepare for the crisis ahead of time, since last May. Since then, depending on the network and region, the staff has been reduced by 40%, the assortment - by 15 - 60%, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bstores - by 5 - 40%. I had to deprive top managers of bonuses. This is still approximately 0.5% of the total turnover of networks. As a result, we not only did not lose money, but also significantly increased profits. And from November 1, we will cut another 10% of the staff. But in general, the current crisis does not terrify me.

Has it been scarier?

In 1998, I, a young dandy in a vest, headed the Skhodnya-Furniture factory. By that time, the employees of the enterprise had not been paid salaries for 8 months. And I need to set up production - in two months I fired almost 1.5 thousand employees.

Didn't they spit in your back?

Hard workers first of all wanted to fill the face. But it is difficult. In addition, I know what a person needs, I know how to resolve conflicts.

So what does a person need?

Money and job opportunities later. Bullying does not lead to good. Well, the man was simmering, he ate the severance pay. And then what? A potential employer will say: “Why do I need this freak who didn’t work, but downloaded rights ?!” Getting a job will not be easy.

Why are the management of other retail chains now complaining about losses?

Because until recently sucks worked. They began to think with their heads only when the crisis came. Set goals, reduce costs for business processes. Before the crisis, many businesses had to show off in front of the women.

AVTOVAZ EMPLOYEES ARE NOT GUYED

It turns out strange. The crisis originated in America, and, judging by the rate of economic decline, it hit Russia first of all... Why?

Before the crisis began, Western guys played on our dead stock market. When they had their own problems, they said: "We went, the wives said - return the money home." And then it turned out that the Russian stock market does not exist. Yes, there is no crisis in Russia! If for 20 years we have not built a fucking economy, and everyone was engaged in "administration", then what do you want? Which of the statesmen was responsible for AvtoVAZ in the form in which it still exists? Nobody. And the grandmas are pumped into it colossal. And they will pump it in, because the enterprise is so-qi-al-but zna-chi-mine, - the businessman pronounces in syllables. - Employees of AvtoVAZ, of course, are not to blame for the fact that they produce such cars. Whoever is responsible for the automotive industry as a whole is to blame.

How will we get out of the crisis?

Through pseudo-nationalization.

What else is this?

Sometimes a negative image of a particular business is deliberately created. And then officials and security forces transfer this business under themselves or under the right people. The merchants will be left only with shells from small enterprises. Krupnyak will go to mayors, high officials or their associates - in a word, to the state.

You can't even call it corruption...

I will now tell you about corruption. The other day, the head of the Investigative Committee, Bastrykin, said that if officials are imprisoned at the current pace, then there will be no one to work. That is, he openly said: corruption cannot be overcome. I believe that it is impossible to fight corruption in this country. Corruption is the quintessence of power.

Citizens and businessmen in Russia do not break the law because they want to break it. But because the laws are deliberately written in such a way that you cannot help breaking them.

And surely you can't do without bribes?

Try opening a shop or restaurant. 33 regulatory bodies and about 600 by-laws are waiting for you. The point will work at best in 9, and usually in 14 months from the start of paperwork. During this time, it is necessary to pay the rent for the premises, the salary of employees. And the businessman will also be accused: why is he complaining - his business is still profitable ...

And what, unprofitable, or what? It's no secret that the trade markup on goods sometimes reaches 100%.

We earn so much to a fig that our pockets are bursting from income! - ironically Potapenko. - Although if you read the reports of the largest retailers, verified by foreign companies, you will see: net profit does not exceed 1.5 - 2%.

You don't pick up. - I point to the expensive watch on Potapenko's hand.

The main part of my business is grocery stores and inexpensive restaurants like canteens. I earn not on the margin, but on the number of customers served.

THE LAW "ON TRADE" PUSHES TO CRIME

Officials, together with senators and deputies of the State Duma, are promoting new law"On Trade". Will the document reduce the level of prices in stores?

The main innovation: the law introduces one more controlling organization - the Federal Antimonopoly Service. When in America fuel prices jumped after oil prices, in Russia a liter of gasoline cost 20 rubles as it is. The Federal Antimonopoly Service carried out inspections and issued fines. What, the price of gasoline fell?

There is an interesting point in the law. When entering the trading network, the manufacturer will not get 15 bonuses, as it is now, but only one. Prices should go down.

They won't. The manufacturer simply will not be included in the trading network. Imagine a situation. You are a merchant. 70 manufacturers with a product line of 100 items each claim to be on a twenty-meter shelf. A total of seven thousand positions. And you need to choose only 60 of them. How will you personally solve this problem?

I'll take the brands that are well known, - I express the first consideration that came to mind.

Don't know...

The current bonuses are the auction rate. Whoever paid the most from the manufacturers, he made his way to the store shelf. Money officially passed through accounts, taxed. Now they say: "No, guys, this is wrong." Yes, no question - payments will go into the shadows.

That is, the problem will be solved by a bribe to the merchant?

How else? Man produces socks, bicycles or milk. The product is similar to what is already on the market. What to do? The manufacturer himself will get the money out of his pocket, but it will be a bribe.

What to do?

The problem must be approached from a different angle. Quantity production capacity in the world is 150 times more than what is needed for consumption. There is a crisis of overproduction. Only in France, for example, the state does not fight with networks, but pays extra to producers so that they do not produce too much. In this case, everything is not for nothing. And we do the exact opposite. We are raising import duties, “protecting the domestic commodity producer”, twisting the arms of retail chains...

IN RUSSIA THERE IS NO COMPETITION FOR THE PLACE OF THE LOADER

In Europe, prices are falling, but here they are rising ...

Grow due to increased costs. Let me remind you that at the beginning of 2009, each of us - let's say, "a simple person" - silently swallowed a 30% rise in the price of a "communal apartment". Naturally, this affected the costs of the entire business.

Until recently, the low wages of Russians were called ours. competitive advantage before the West...

Look at the ads - Muscovites want salaries from 1000 euros. But even in Europe, the normal salary is more modest. For example, an average Bulgarian or Czech earns about 400 euros. In retail and restaurant business guest workers work all over the world. In the French “Simple” (“Auchan” network), Vietnamese are sitting at the checkout, who at best know a few phrases in French. Mexicans work at the Wal-Mart checkout in America. And we say: it is impossible for the loader to be a Tajik. But we have no competition for the place of the loader.

Well, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, the people have actually lost the habit of hard work, but in the regions?

In Tver, where we are going, all quotas for foreigners have been reset, that is, I cannot hire them. Previously, Uzbeks worked for me for 8 thousand, and they worked ra-bo-ta-li, - Potapenko minted in syllables. - Now Tverichans do not work for 14 thousand. They know that they are irreplaceable, and just sour.

The lowest positions should be occupied by people without education, with low needs, but by no means by local citizens. This is an international trend. Replacing the Soviet word "limitchik" with "guest worker" did not solve the problem. Then they recruited according to the limit, and now there should be a limit. Citizens will not go to the janitors.

How big is the role of chain stores in trade?

Networks are not the main channel for bringing products to the buyer. At least 15,000 retail outlets are registered in Moscow. Various formats: tents, chain stores, something else. Only 75 chains operate in Moscow and the Moscow region - no more than 800 stores. So, 800 stores against 17 thousand. Question: if I'm a manufacturer, what the hell am I getting into the network, if it exists great amount free points?

For 99.9% of production managers, the word "sales" is associated with the Soviet habit with the State Planning Commission. They don't understand that when you produce a product in industrial scale, then the first task is not production, but sales. It is the backbone of the economy all over the world. But it doesn't work for us. Our product is not available in any country in the world. And not because it is not allowed there, but because it costs three times more than its counterparts.

You yourself are a manufacturer, why don't you solve this problem at least for yourself?

I have two factories in different cities. But at the same time, I really understand what I produce goods from. And everything is made from it. When someone starts yelling: “I am a domestic manufacturer!” - I propose to prove this without populism and politics. What equipment do you use? Somehow imported. Work force whose? Tajiks. Information Technology also not Russian. Ingredients are also often imported from abroad. It's like calling a BMW assembled in Russia a domestic car. The same applies to our entire economy as a whole.

Dmitry Potapenko- World Karate Champion. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, he worked as an orderly in a mortuary, a security guard in a casino, and a bodyguard for the president of Russian Credit Bank. At the age of 25, he became the youngest vice president at Grundig in the CIS and Baltic countries. Former director Pyaterochka and Karusel retail chains, Skhodnya-Mebel factories and other enterprises.

What is Dmitry Potapenko's Business - Management Development Group Inc.

Now he is a managing partner of Management Development Group Inc., which includes the retail chains ProdECO and Gastronomchik, the restaurant chain Restoranchik and other enterprises. The fleet has Mitsubishi Pajero, Lexus and Kia Rio. Married, has two daughters.

Potapenko Dmitry Valerievich:
At the age of 25, Dmitry became the youngest vice president at Grundig in the CIS and Baltic countries. Former director of the Pyaterochka and Karusel retail chains, the Skhodnya-Mebel factory and other enterprises.
Now he is a managing partner of Management Development Group Inc., which includes the retail chains ProdECO and Gastronomchik, the restaurant chain Restoranchik and other enterprises.
The staff size is 7500 people.

Management Development Group Inc.- European company of operational management. Management and support of businesses: Retail food chains ProdECO, Gastronomchik, Marka, Tverskoy Produkt, Ekonomika, Orange, 4 Seasons, Kitchens of Russia. Southern Federal District, Central Federal District and Ural Federal District. Delicious Bulgaria. «Levner» Czech Republic
Retail DIY chains: "Parade of Planets", "HozMag", "Kangaroo" Ivanovo.
Chains of canteens and cafes "Restoranchik. Real meat”, “Restaurant. Real fish”, “Pizza Uno”, Construction workshop ECOnomStroy, Design Bureau “ArtPraga”. Turnover of the Group of Companies in 2013 367 million US dollars.

The annual turnover of 367 million dollars is impressive, especially when you consider that Potapenko is a host of programs at several radio stations, a frequent guest on television, and conducts master classes and seminars. To run a business with a turnover of a third of a billion dollars, and even manage to do such a volume of public work - this undoubtedly deserves respect.

We go to the website of Management Development Group Inc. The first thing that surprised me was that language switching does not work on the site, only the Russian version is available, Czech and English, they are provided, but do not work, it is strange for a company with a head office in the center of Europe, but oh well, let's look further
Management Development Group positions itself as a company that deals with external operational management and the creation of a business on the technical order of the investor. And below is a listing of objects under management, the logos of these companies are located on the right side of the main page - "Gastronomchik", "Restaurant", etc.

True, in an interview in 2009, he says "Good afternoon, dear colleagues. I'm Dmitry Potapenko. Who doesn't know - the owner of 12 retail, a couple of restaurant chains, and other garbage on trifles" this negligence, of course, captivates, is it a joke? - either 2 restaurant chains, or 4, and even enough garbage, well, 367 million dollars turnover, who will keep track of what is owned, not to mention logistics.
Here, of course, the question arises of Potapenko, the owner of networks or the owner of a network management company? Or are they different projects?

Let's see what brands are managed by the Management Development Group, unfortunately, it will not work to go from the main site, since the links do not work, you will have to google, I will not attach screenshots of the search results so as not to inflate an already voluminous post, who doubts can search for the names of companies.

"ArtPraga architectural bureau", the logo actually says an architectural studio, let's see both options - hmm, strange, there are no coincidences, it is only mentioned on the MDG website, neither the official website, nor any other mentions.
"Restoranchik, real meat" no website, no address where you can go to dinner, no reviews of restaurant critics - it is mentioned only in an interview with Potapenko himself.
"Restaurant, real fish" is the same story as with real meat, there is nothing on the net, not a single photo.
"EconomStroy" there are a lot of results for such a query, the logos do not match even once, it is impossible to determine whether it is Ekonomstroy or not.
"ProdEco" is a bit of a coincidence - the Czech coal company is unlikely, Potapenko did not mention assets in the mining industry. Company from Sverdlovsk region, with a similar type of activity "creation of retail enterprises", an office in Vyshny Pyshma, the spelling of the name is different ProDeCo, completed projects do not intersect. There is a mention of a certain Prodeco store in Shchekino, it is reported that the Prodeco brand belongs to the Ecoretail company, which in turn is part of the holding of one of the largest chemical enterprises UCC Shchekinoazot.
Portal Wallmart.ru - only the main page works, the last and only update on May 28, 2015, places under advertising banners, are busy advertising the portal itself, links to sections either do not work or lead back to the main one.
There are many "Gastronomchik" stores with this name, the logo from the site does not intersect, the name matches http://gastronomchik.rf/, a grocery chain, the convenience store format 2 in the city of Essentuki and 1 in Budennovsk.

This gives a turnover of 367 million dollars?

Google also does not know about the network "Levner" Czech Republic, about "Vkusno" in Bulgaria - no sites, no addresses, no mentions. Knows only the address where Chech Republik 130 00 Praga 3, Blodkova 1280/8 is registered. Somehow, from a company with a turnover of 367 million and a staff of 7,500 employees, you expect a little different, but on the other hand, why these high costs.

True, new data has recently appeared, in an interview on December 10, 2015, Potapenko answers a question from a journalist
In the course of your debate, you said that you work, including abroad. At the same time they criticized Russian conditions and praised conditions in the West. What is the format of your business there?

Remained about the same. Production, a small carpet factory, a small network of canteens, not a very large retail. All this adds up to about 25 million euros in annual turnover, no more.

That is, already 25 million, and 367 was - is it overestimated? Or fell from 367 to 25 in 2 years? 25 is it only in Europe?

I spent several hours searching for information, but there was no answer to the question of who Mr. Potapenko was. What kind of businesses does he have in the Czech Republic, Belgium, China, Russia that give such a turnover?
Without this, it is impossible to understand what problems with logistics are experienced by his enterprises.
I don't question talent business qualities Dmitry Valeryevich, times are difficult, but where can you see the fruits of his business activity? Why was the tactic of closing information about the business chosen, given the media openness of the owner himself?

The transfer of Oleg Tinkov's "Business Secrets" to RBC in 2012, including the Czech company Management Development Group, Dmitry confirms the staff of 7,500 people and that he is the owner of this company.

Article by Sergey Stepanov on the Ardexpert portal, information is provided from an open database on Czech enterprises:
- This register includes the company Management Development Group Inc. s.r.o.
- Founders - Dmitry Potapenko and, apparently, his parents.
- According to the explanatory note to the balance sheet available on the website, there are NO employees at all in the company - only the director-secretary, who is Mr. Potapenko.
- The company has no revenue, at least it follows from the balance sheet for 2013. For the year 2104 there is no balance in the system yet.

businessman with three higher education, an MBA certificate and DNV GL Group became famous for his sharp criticism of the country's economic policy. After his spontaneous speech in December 2015 at an economic forum in the capital and a heated discussion with Vladimir Gutenev, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Industry, he gained a reputation as a person who knows how to tell the truth, regardless of positions and faces. However, a number of representatives of the business community are critical of him, calling him a multi-machine operator and a cross between the “great schemer” Ostap Bender and the owner of deceptive charm Ivan Khlestakov.

Childhood and family of Dmitry Potapenko

At school, he took part in public life with pleasure, was a Komsomol activist and a member of many circles. In particular, he was engaged in karate and even twice became a champion in this species martial arts.

It should be noted that this fact, as well as some others, is questioned. His biography is often too reminiscent of an adventure novel. Retelling her in an interview, Dmitry noted that she surprised him with her richness and improbability of events.

IN primary school he studied well, but, having matured, he allegedly lost motivation and cognitive interest in the process of acquiring knowledge. Nevertheless, having received a secondary education, the young man entered a serious university - the Moscow Institute of Radio Engineering, Electronics and Automation.

From the age of 19, he began to live separately from his parents and, as a student, managed to change a number of exotic professions - he worked as an orderly in a mortuary and in a psychiatric hospital, led a closed gambling establishment of crime boss Otari Kvantrishvili, was a personal bodyguard of oligarch Vitaly Malkin.

Career Dmitry Potapenko

In 1992, in partnership with Natashkyang Korotia Systems, one of the first companies to import electronics to Russia, he brought to life his first project, the Tusar chain of electronics stores. In 1993, Dmitry defended his degree in engineering and since 1995, for five years, he worked in the Grundig company that appeared on the domestic market, first holding the position of a leading manager, and later - deputy president.

In the period 1998-2001. the young man was the general director of a wood chipping materials plant in the Podrezkovo microdistrict, which controlled territorially 40 thousand hectares, and set up the production and export of competitive chipboard. At the same time, he held the post of Deputy Head for Investment Cooperation at CB Creditimpex Bank.

In 2001, Dmitry Valerievich became the deputy head of the Logos companies operating in the periodical distribution market, and also became the head of the Wholesale Centers society. In 2003-2005, after repeated invitations from Andrey Rogachev, one of the founders of Pyaterochka, he headed the St. Petersburg and Moscow offices of the retail chain.

In 2005, the entrepreneur took one of the most important positions in the Management Development Group, which determines the overall business success - the managing partner. He developed networks retail, planning, organizing and stimulating work with an assessment of the result obtained and the definition of current trends.

Personal life of Dmitry Potapenko

The couple raised two daughters. The eldest of them, Maria Gracheva, according to her father, was the winner of almost all the country's physical and mathematical Olympiads. After graduating from school, she was accepted to the physics department of Moscow State University without exams. To create comfortable starting conditions, her parents gave her an apartment. The youngest - Natasha Potapenko - studied at the Lyceum of Information Technologies.

The businessman leads a relatively modest lifestyle, loves to spend his free time with his family, loves his wife's signature dish - duck, regularly visits Gym and says that she is prosaic about expensive things, although she has an impressive fleet of vehicles: Gelandewagen SUV, Lexus, Mitsubishi Pajero, Kia Rio, and Elena's Nissan Juke crossover.

Dmitry Potapenko today

Dmitry Valeryevich Potapenko became famous thanks to criticism of the authorities and recommendations on doing business. He has extensive experience in retail, at the moment he runs a company specializing in the management of network retail objects, writes books, hosts author's programs on the radio, uploads videos on YouTube.

• FULL NAME: Potapenko Dmitry Valerievich.
• Date of Birth: March 30, 1970 (aged 48)
• Education: Moscow Institute of Radio Engineering, Electronics and Automation.
• Business Start Date/Age: 1992 / 22 years old.
• Job title: Managing Partner of Management Development Group Inc.
• Social networks: https://www.instagram.com/potapenkodmitry/.

Mr. Potapenko is a figure that draws attention to himself and does it quite consciously. He does not miss the opportunity to criticize the existing government, laws Russian Federation and the entire system of the modern Russian economy, in which the place of private business is, to put it mildly, unenviable. At the same time, Dmitry Valeryevich promises to teach how to create a business in such unprofitable realities. From this we can conclude that, contrary to his loud and often contradictory statements, Dmitry Potapenko's business is, among other things, also business consulting.

Biography facts

According to Dmitry Valeryevich himself, he is a native Muscovite in the fourth generation. Indeed, he was born in an ordinary Moscow family. After school, he entered the Moscow Institute of Radio Engineering, Electronics and Automation, where, after graduating in 1993, he received a diploma in process engineering.

In his student years, he launched a stormy trading activity- sold musical and other equipment at the famous Moscow Gorbushka. This was his first entrepreneurial experience. In some sources, there is a mention of the first business organized by him in 1992, that is, while still a student. And it was, apparently, a large-scale project - a trading network of Tusar stores specializing in the sale of electronic equipment. However, there is no mention of this activity on the official website of Dmitry Potapenko.

entrepreneurial path

In general, it is a very difficult task to know for sure the entire entrepreneurial path of this figure. reliable information in open sources negligible. Dmitry Valeryevich himself, in interviews from different periods, refers to his rich experience in business, but without specifics.

In a structured way, Potapenko's entrepreneurial path can be described as follows:

The entrepreneur is actively developing in the retail industry, initially specializing in technology, and then moving into grocery chains.

From 1995 to 2000, Potapenko makes a career in a well-known German manufacturing company household appliances Grundig, in 5 years has grown from senior manager to vice president of marketing in the Baltics.

Then Dmitry had a short banking episode in the early 2000s, when he tried himself as vice president for investment development at CreditImpexBank.

And in 2003, the businessman returned to retail again, but already in grocery, becoming the head of the Pyaterochka distribution network in the Moscow region. There he worked for 2 years, gaining considerable experience.

Finally, in 2005, Potapenko became the managing partner of the European company Management Development Group Inc., whose activities, however, seem to be very vague. The official website refers to the main brands of this group of companies, but does not contain any links or at least brief information about the nature of their activities. According to the entrepreneur himself, understanding the theory and practice of sales, he deals exclusively with network projects with a specialization that is familiar to him.

These are grocery chains in the format of an inexpensive convenience store, eateries and cafes designed for an undemanding client, the production of semi-finished products, as well as building materials.

Political career

Widespread fame Dmitry Potapenko as an ardent critic of the authorities, not afraid of loud accusatory statements, began with the Moscow Economic Forum in 2015. Then he entered into an open confrontation with State Duma deputy Vladimir Gutenev and criticized a number of economic decisions by the government of the country.

Many bloggers still like to quote his statement, which has become winged:

“The dialogue between business and government has been going on for the past 20 years like a dialogue between a butcher and a cow, affectionately looking into their eyes and holding a knife under their throats with the question: what do we have today - beef or milk?”

After that, the businessman continued to shock the public and journalists with statements in his direct and unsophisticated manner. They are already afraid to invite him to serious and large-scale forums, but in the regions they are delighted with this speaker. Representatives of small businesses willingly purchase tickets for his master classes, where he teaches how to establish retail networks, create customer bases, how to build working systems in business, and much more.

Seeing the wide resonance of his statements in the public environment, Dmitry Potapenko decided to go into politics.

In his own words, this step became a challenge for him and an opportunity to figure out whether it is possible to change anything in the country's political system at all.

“It would be foolish to talk about the worthlessness of the authorities without trying to change anything yourself. My life experience is practice and result, I don’t know how to work otherwise.”

The newly minted politician spoke about the confidence that he would get into the Duma, because he had everything for this: a store of knowledge, skills and support from people. His goal was to get into the system and change its principles of operation.

In 2016, the businessman ran for the State Duma from the Kaliningrad constituency as a member of the Party of Growth. The results of these elections did not allow Potapenko to change the political system, since he did not overcome the percentage to pass the barrier.

Journalistic activity

But the journalistic and consulting activities of Dmitry Valerievich after the historic December forum went uphill. Many journalists seized the opportunity to annoy the authorities and began vying to call Potapenko for interviews, which he gives willingly and rarely hesitates in expressions.

This practice even resulted in the author's program on the Ekho Moskvy radio. It is called "Potapenko's Course". The businessman has also got used to the Internet media quite well and is happy to comment on the news of the business environment in his own Slon Magazine column of the media holding, also known on the Dozhd TV channel.

All this activity inspired Potapenko to write books that are largely based on his speeches and master classes for aspiring entrepreneurs. In 2016, The Honest Book on How to Do Business in Russia was released. A year later, Dmitry Potapenko presented a new creation to the readers - "Business is verbs and nouns that end in numbers."

One of the videos of the program "As a matter of fact", in which Dmitry participates

Dmitry Potapenko - talented businessman, strategist and real business shark. It is able to survive in any conditions - the current crisis only contributes to its development. Perhaps the point is in his extraordinary approach to problems.

The statements of Dmitry Potapenko are sorted out by quotes - each of them is accurate, concise and correct. Out-of-the-box thinking, interesting appearance (height under ninety meters and weight per centner), wardrobe atypical for a millionaire (hardly distinguishable from a simple citizen). And the manner of doing business is also non-standard - the retail chains he manages remain afloat during the crisis and sanctions. What is the secret of this man?

From security guard to general: resume of Dmitry Potapenko

Dmitry Potapenko's biography is worthy of a separate book. Businessman says:

“I am a native Muscovite in the fourth generation. There are no more…”

It is known about his championship title in karate. On his personal life: Married and two children. He likes to gain knowledge: "I studied a lot and still study." In addition to the diploma of the Moscow Institute of Radio Engineering and Automation, there are specialized economic "crusts" MBA (economics), BABT at the Ministry of Economic Development, MBA (Business & EconomicOption) California State University (HayWard). Such a powerful base allows our hero to build the right business strategies and stick to his own opinion.

In the late eighties and early nineties of the last century, the hero's career was far from economic: a nurse in the morgue, a security guard from a casino, a bodyguard for the president of the Russian Credit Bank. Working at three jobs, in 1989 Dmitry registered his first company "Cherny Bars", which was engaged in industrial mountaineering. In 1992, he opened the Tusar electronics retail chain, a project supported by Natashkyang Korotia Systems.

The track record of Dmitry Potapenko is impressive:

• From 1995 to 2000 - Vice President for Sales and Marketing at GrundicGmbH in the Baltic States;
• From 1998 to 2001 - General Director of OJSC "MEZ DSP", Vice President of PBK "CreditImpexBank" (connection with investment development);
• From 2001 to 2003 - Deputy of Logos companies, General Director of LLC Wholesale Centers;
• From 2003 to 2005 worked as a manager for the Pyaterochka sales network (Moscow and the region);
• From 2005 to the present day - the founder and co-partner (managing director) of ManagementDevelopmentGroupInc. ( trade marks"Gastronomchik", "Prodeco", "Mark").

Not all enterprises are the property of the hero. But the businessman made an obligatory personal contribution to the work of each of the entrusted "offices".

Pride in what you've done

“I have always worked and very hard,” Dmitry admits. “And I will work, because life is work ... and every time on a different one.”

For example, at GrundigGmbH he created marketing and positioning strategies for the organization. Looking for ways to reduce tax payments. Organized wholesale and retail trade operations with a turnover of $ 120 million / year. At GrundigGmbH, Potapenko conducted many internal trainings for employees, developed new services and products, and did work related to cooperation with South Korean, Chinese, American and German partners.

In a large European plant for the production of furniture parts and chipboard "MEZ DSP", Dmitry had a lot of work - from restructuring the organization to compiling an anti-crisis management algorithm. Prescribed a business development project with CreditImpexBank. Various areas of activity required optimization - from working with customs and credit relations to adapting the company to fiscal audits. Managed a lot of management affairs - from a team of 2,500 people to structuring a team of directors (according to the Myers Brix typology). Engineering knowledge also came in handy.

In "Logos" and "Wholesale Center" he created a group with seven different directions - each was a channel for wholesale and retail sales of printed materials in Moscow and the Commonwealth. Here, too, we had to start with the process of restructuring. Everything has already been worked out - from products, services, training programs and seminars to procurement control, logistics and implementation. New activities also had to be planned.

In "Pyaterochka" and "Carousel" network business Dmitry Potapenko included more than 150 objects. I had to interact with the "power-holding" bodies of Moscow and the Moscow District. This applies to working with Leningrad region and northern capital. Solved many issues related to the acquisition of plots or ready-made buildings. Dmitry controlled and coordinated many architectural projects in the required instances (all shopping malls were created in one concept). Studied merchandising, planned and supervised the activities of specialists. Took control of investments and financial flows, organized pricing and marketing policy companies.

In the same place, he prepared the company's shares for going public as valuable papers, and on the stock exchange - as a new issuer. There were already 10,000 people in submission.

The modern ManagementDevelopmentGroupInc includes at least one and a half dozen retail chains, restaurants and industries. The total turnover of all "wealth" is more than 140,000,000 dollars a year.

Dmitry about the crisis

The indefatigable Potapenko believes that before the crisis, entrepreneurs did not work, but "ruled". The pace of the economy's decline makes us panic, but not Potapenko.

He believes that there is no crisis in Russia, since there is no ... its own stock market. Western partners are simply curtailing their projects, and we ourselves are to blame for the fact that for 20 years we have been engaged only in administration.

Potapenko declares: everyone started working only with the advent of the crisis. And until that time, everyone worked “just sucks” (quoting a businessman):

“It is now that they have begun to set some goals and reduce the costs associated with business processes. And before that, many had a business in order to show off in front of the women, ”Potapenko states categorically.

subway millionaire

Dmitry himself does not “squeeze out”: he calmly rides the subway (there is a ticket), the train and any other public transport. Not because he does not have his own cars - there are five of them in the garage (Mitsubishi Pajero, Lexus and KiaRio brands). The question is how exactly it is convenient for him to move around, when there are always 5-6 flights or transfers per week.

He believes: the fetish in the form of a super-expensive car is a real schizophrenia. And the person who thinks it's cool has serious problems with an inferiority complex.

The impact of the crisis on the work of Potapenko's enterprises

The crisis affected the work of organizations headed by Dmitry. It is recognized that the level of demand fell, sales fell by 16%.

Among the measures taken by the businessman to keep afloat are:

• staff reduction (40%);
• reduction in assortment (from 15 to 60%);
• minimization of the area of ​​retail outlets (from 5 to 40%);
• deprivation of top managers of bonuses (0.5% of the total turnover of networks).

Measures allow you not to go at a loss and increase profits. Rigidity in decisions is familiar to Potapenko: in 1998, he fired almost 1,500 people from the Skhodnya-Mebel factory in a week.

The emotional component of business is not about Potapenko. Even for their own products. In interviews, he often shocks with statements: he does not eat in his own establishments and does not buy groceries in his stores. “So you can stop seeing the main nuances,” the businessman explains the position.

Economist blogger

The originality of thinking is supported by the relevant theoretical knowledge and the huge practical base of Mr. Potapenko. Dmitry has his own website, where he expresses his opinion. In 2016, The Honest Book on How to Do Business in Russia was published. What is said is worth listening to.

For example, being a co-owner of a food chain, Dmitry strongly doubts the need to label products for their usefulness. First of all, it will affect the price. Any such measure contributes to the growth of corruption: every entrepreneur will try in any way to get the coveted green badge for his product.

As for the issue of import substitution that arose after the imposition of sanctions, Potapenko responds as follows:

“We can talk about this only when everything is completely produced domestically - from potatoes that are planted in the ground to a tractor that will process them (and even with the hands with which they will be harvested). And for this to be so, it is necessary to revive our own scientific school and invest in technological development. But this process will take at least 10-15 years.”

Investments, according to Potapenko, are very necessary. Moreover, in those areas where technological processing takes place or intellectual labor is involved. Dmitry emphasizes:

Money has no nationality. And we don’t have the money itself because we are tied to raw materials. This means that we must first attract investments for the extraction of raw materials, then attract money from the sale of the extracted in order to invest them in something useful, for example, the processing of the same hydrocarbons.”

When asked what awaits his particular industry (and Russian economy) in the near future, gives the answer: in terms of products, those players who bring their prices closer to the level of economy segment supermarkets will make a profit. For food production, a decrease in the weight part and composition of products should be expected. As for catering, the "seer" predicts the heyday of cheap canteens. We should also expect an increase in the use of barter schemes.

Time will tell how right our hero is. So far, he manages to successfully combine not only the management of large enterprises, but also many other parallel responsibilities. And he is only happy: it expands his knowledge and potential, helping him to be head and shoulders ahead of his competitors.

Youtube star

Dmitry has a very popular YouTube channel ( link), currently about 100,000 subscribers (For comparison, the Business Secrets of Oleg Tinkov is 193,000). Quite a lot, given the theme. Check out one of the exciting videos.