Interview with Dr Mamkina, managing director Nexus-Europe GmbH

International Business Focus today speaks with Dr. Svetlana Mamkina. At just 28 years of age Dr. Mamkina has already earned a doctorate in mathematics and regularly participates in mathematic conferences where she shares concepts and ideas with the field's brightest minds, including Nobel Prize winners like Dr. John Nash and others. She has founded and manages two companies in Russia and Germany, and this is the focus of our interest today. Let's meet Nexus-Europe GmbH founder and managing director Dr. Svetlana Mamkina. IBF: With a PhD in mathematics, a lot of people would be surprised at your career choice. SM: There are multiple examples where people get their education in one field and work in another. I have a strong belief that mathematics just opens a persons mind and allows to think in a non-standard way. It forms a special vision and at the same time allows one to estimate the risks. Especially taking into consideration that the specialization of my PhD is "Game Theory." We have a saying in Russia: "talented person is talented in everything." Moreover, not many people know that I also spent six years to get my Master Degree in economics, with a focus on management and investment, and this combination allows me not only to see the opportunity but estimate the risks. Moreover, I still participate in the leading conferences to continue training my brains. So it is not really correct to say that I stopped my scientific career 100%. It is a part of my working process each and every day. IBF: On the subject of your education, you had a unique opportunity to study with someone rather special. Tell me about that. SM: I was lucky to make my PhD under the supervision of one of the best specialists in the field, professor Levon Petrosjan, who is now the president of the International Game Theory Society. During many years I had an example in professor Petrosjan not only a talented scientist, but a perfect manager, fast and unique brains, vision and combination of strategist. Even though I finished university and got my PhD we are closely in touch with Levon and he is a consultant in many questions where his wisdom is required. I hope this type of relationship we can keep for a very long time. IBF: How did you become interested in the field of trade exhibitions? SM: It appealed to my economic side. The idea of people introducing products and services goes back hundreds of years to the ancient bazaars and the Silk Road for example. Technology has improved, but the basic concept remains the same. I liked the opportunity exhibitions provided to market and communicate ideas. IBF: When did you start your business, and why did you decide to make your own business rather than go to work for an existing organizer? SM: I felt there was something missing in what some of the other companies were providing. I had ideas to improve services to exhibitors and so I launched Nexus six years ago to do just that. IBF: What were your goals when you began your business? SM: Exhibitions are a marvelous opportunity for companies to expand their business internationally. My goal was to see that they had access to the quality of services that would maximize this opportunity for them. IBF: How has your business changed since its beginning? SM: Over the years we have become very involved with market research and strategy making for our clients. This has greatly improved efficiency in entering new markets and being successful in them. IBF: You have an office in Germany also. Why did you decide to expand your business into Germany? SM: So many of our customers were based in Germany that we expanded to better serve them. We have since acquired a lot of new customers from other Western European countries, and to be more centrally located has been beneficial for them as well. It was a good move for us.