In Other Words - SAS Senior VP and CMO Jim Davis talks about business, analytics and technology

I didn’t have much time to explore Moscow on my recent visit there. One of the unfortunate realities of this kind of trip is you often don’t see much other than the highway between the airport and the city, and the inside of a Western-style hotel.

Once again I’m struck by how similar modern cities are becoming. In the area around the hotel at least, Moscow doesn’t look any different than any big city. The only difference is it’s kind of gray. There are lots of modern stores, including a big Canali store attached to the hotel. I checked the prices and they were more expensive than Nordstroms.

Still, there’s no doubt that it can be surreal for an American visiting Russia. My driver spoke English in bursts. On the way to dinner, he pointed out the window of the car and said, “KGB headquarters.” Later, he pointed and said, “Kremlin.” For someone of my generation raised during the Cold War, it was eerie.

Contrary to what that history might have led me to expect, I found the people to be incredibly friendly. I got a dual impression: It was very gray, cold and damp - everything the movies depict. But the movies are absolutely wrong about the attitude of the people and their openness and willingness to learn and communicate.

Some of the Russians I spoke with were curious what Americans think of when we think of Russia. They told me they assume we think of vodka and bears. I confirmed that most of my colleagues thought I was there to drink vodka. I also attempted a joke by saying I checked my hotel room for bugs, and I realized an hour later they probably thought I meant insects.