As a Dubai business consultant, there are many interesting facts that describe Russia to be a dangerous and emotional country within business context. Russia’s population 141 million, life expectancy men 62 years, women 74 years, currency Rouble, employment percentage agriculture 5%, industry 33%, services 62%, unemployed 8%. Main exports fuels, metals, machinery and equipment, chemicals. Destinations total percentage Netherlands 12%, Italy 7%, China 5%, and Germany 4%. Main imports machinery and equipment, food products, chemicals, metals food and drink. Countries of origins USA 14%, China 13%, Germany 5%, Ukraine 5%.
The Russian status issues of teams are quite positive sometimes negative, but in the workforce Russian teams are suited best working together or close as of the relationships being relatively close. Also in general society conflict issues of those who are strangers and is not best to put together teams from different strands therefore which organisation can be problematic, once a team is formed, working well Russians find it is best to keep teams intact for a long period of time. Moving the whole sale team to project to project then developing a new team. Team leader has to be dominant in order for appropriate detailed instructions to be issued. Western managers are used to “hands of approach” confuse local staff to what is expected of them. An expatriate team leader needs to display credibility such as, strong minded, understandable, and perceptible to the eye.
The Russian management tend to be condensing in taking charge; the boss is responsible for orders of instructions such as subordinates to be made. Lower employees of the company down hierarchy are needed of small consultation, senior managers with too much consultation is a sign of weakness, insufficiency to be determinative. Middle managers find less power to control over strategies or inputs of notable strategic decisions include key factors to determine an organizations outcome of success. Middle managers seem to be less powerful but there effectiveness has instant openings to decision maker at top level organisation. No time debating with middle managers for no access to top. Reliable point of delay in coming up with a decision in Russia, is decision may not be in front of real decision maker. Many westerners in Russia complain a lack of low initiative of power opportunity before others do such as Russian staff; Russian staff bemoans also known as complaining about unambiguous interpretations of advice from expatriate managers
Russian decision making protocols, meetings and negotiations are slow for Russians and they do not like to be rushed, ideas are to have those of technical experts on a negotiating team. Hierarchy to Russians are an important factor, age, rank and position are well respected, and top senior person makes all decisions. Executives arrange to meet people of similar ranks and positions negotiations are win lose, not believable in win- win scenarios.
Written materials must be provided both English and Russian.
Russian business meeting etiquette, avoid high pressure talk, Russians admire value of patience, and cherish debates, interpret, dissolve negotiations. Decisions forced high pressure talk appear to be impatient represented, and rude, unreliable of operations business discussions. Be on time for meetings, acceptable Russian colleagues late for meetings, foreigners must arrive early or not but unexpected for Russian colleagues to make apologies for retardation and behaviour is tended on test of patience. Bring technical experts if needed, if meetings focus on technical topics brings technical experts, Russian interpreter. Russian colleagues expect effective presentation of history, precedents combined with topic. Experts provided establish credibility, forethought, general knowledge.
Russian work attitudes and ethics, Russian have a common factor of patience punctuality is not,