The report describes the large pool of talented Russian scientists and engineers that provide a cheap and untapped source of labor for the United States and Western Europe. But it doesn't describe what some call the key to the equation-the indefatigable Russian character. In fact, I think we Americans can learn something from the Russians.

Russians have endured decades of hardship, especially after the end of the Cold War: political upheaval, food shortages and unemployment. And now they have managed to pull themselves up and build a technology industry. To jump-start it, they are providing software development skills to European and American companies.

An engineering manager at a firm outsourcing software development to Siberia explained why he considers his Russian-based developers to be good workers and good friends.

He said his teams based in the United Kingdom and Russia collaborate well despite the language barrier, six-hour time difference and distance.

Not only are the Russian developers highly qualified-many possess master's and doctoral degrees in mathematics, computer science and engineering-but they also are pleasant to work with. They listen to instructions, ask questions, work hard and aren't afraid to tackle challenging projects.

"They bend over backward to help us," he said, adding that he often throws them complex problems because "they are used to having a hard time and will scratch their heads until they come up with a solution."

Boy, that's refreshing! Wouldn't it be great to work with people like that?

With the U.S. economy the way it is, one would expect Americans to adopt the same attitude-to "do whatever it takes."

Unemployed friends and relatives tell me it's tougher to find work than it's been in a long time. Some are out there beating the pavement looking for work and stashing their savings while they wait for the upturn; others seem determined to spend their way out of this recession.

I am not sure what I would do if I lost my job, but I'd love for someone to say of me, "Boy, she really worked hard, she gave it her all and always produced quality work."

It's for that reason I admire the Russians and their resilience. They've been through so much and yet they are willing to put their head down and work hard.

Now that we're faced with the hardships of the war on terror in Afghanistan, the attacks of Sept. 11 and a recession that doesn't seem to have an end in sight, it's time we took a page from the work ethic of Russia's high-technology denizens.

http://www.eetimes.com/