Inside the Inspiring Workspace of an Online Education Pioneer

Meet Valeriy Nikitin, a visionary entrepreneur deeply immersed in the world of online education and a founder of a groundbreaking digital learning startup. Join us as we explore his unique workspace and the tools that fuel his success.

About Valeriy Nikitin

Valeriy is an entrepreneur specializing in online education. He co-created a task generation platform originally developed in Russia. In 2009, he led the pilot testing of this system across Latvia and nine other European Union countries. Since 2012, building on European experiences, he has been advancing the domestic electronic homework system "YAKlass."

What Does Your Workspace Look Like?

Typically, my setup consists of a laptop paired with a monitor. I often move between three locations: the "YAKlass" office in Tverskaya, the Internet Initiatives Development Fund (IIDF), and an office in Riga. Because of this mobility, my primary work tool is my Asus x202e laptop, connected via cable to a secondary Samsung Syncmaster B2430 monitor, which offers a more comfortable working experience.

Interestingly, my desk at one of the offices remains unused by colleagues despite my invitations—perhaps they’re a bit hesitant! 😊

Recently, I upgraded to the Samsung Note 3 smartphone, which boasts powerful performance and a vibrant display—perfect for business tasks.

A standout feature is its stylus, enabling me to work outdoors even while wearing gloves. This is essential since my weekly walking meetings total between 4 to 8 hours. Being able to work on the go is a necessity.

In Riga, I had an assistant, which was a big help. In Moscow, I haven’t found one yet but definitely hope to.

Like many smartphone users, battery life is a challenge, so I always carry a spare power bank.

Other essentials I keep close include:

• Koss headphones with cushioned ear pads to prevent discomfort;
• Brown sugar, as white sugar doesn’t agree with my health;
• A bottle of Riga Black Balsam, occasionally added in small doses (5–10 ml) to coffee for a boost.

What Software Do You Use?

I work on Windows 7, licensed through an MSDN subscription for our company.

Before 2014, I used a Fujitsu Siemens from 2006 running Windows XP with a Celeron 1.6 GHz processor and 700 MB RAM. It served well until Google’s websites started demanding over 2 GB of RAM.

Our company doesn’t use Microsoft Office; instead, we rely on Google’s business suite.

Many of our employees work remotely across different countries, making collaboration unpredictable. Google’s document collaboration tools are quite effective, though frequent updates sometimes disrupt our workflows.

We are currently considering migrating to Microsoft’s cloud office solution. Its shared cloud drive allows seamless work from any device without worrying about backups or document versions.

The key to effective cloud collaboration is strict, shared guidelines on file organization so that all employees can access and expand the company’s knowledge base.

My primary browser is Chrome, but for certain finicky sites—mostly online banking—I still use Internet Explorer.

For messaging, I prefer Viber, which syncs contacts via phone numbers and is widely used among business partners.

We conduct meetings and calls through Skype and occasionally Google Hangouts, which has recently improved significantly. I’m almost always online on messaging apps.

Regarding email management, I follow core principles: sorting messages, filing them into folders, tagging, and adhering to the Zero Inbox rule.

How Do You Manage Your Time?

I apply fundamental time-management techniques, sorting daily tasks around midday and scheduling important ones in Google Calendar.

I don’t stick to a strict daily routine; I work until I achieve the desired results.

Typically, I go to bed around 1 a.m. and wake up between 7 and 8 a.m.

What Role Does Fitness Play in Your Life?

Fitness is essential. Without physical activity, sustaining mental resilience is impossible.

I run about three times a week: short, medium, and long distances of 5, 7, and 10 kilometers respectively.

Running in Moscow can be challenging due to dust and busy highways. Exceptions are Vorobyovy Gory and the riverside park near the river station—my favorite running spots. More often, I run at a gym near my home.

Valeriy Nikitin’s Top Life Hacks

Here are three books that profoundly influenced me:

• Stephen R. Covey – "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" (for team leadership);
• Mirzakarim Norbekov – "Fool’s Experience, or The Key to Insight: How to Get Rid of Glasses" (for motivation);
• Peter Atkins – "Order and Disorder in Nature" (for a deep understanding of the universe).

However, the most practical resource I found on time management wasn’t a book but a humorous pamphlet titled "Time Management and Other Things" by Vasya Kisly. It’s a fun read with great jokes, though it’s best suited for mature readers.

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