Business Etiquette in Russia
A wise businessperson will not simply rely on profit-and-loss numbers, but will also consider the country's culture that permeates all types of business negotiations. To successfully transact business in Russia, a businessperson should learn a few of the traditions and customs that accompany the country's business culture.
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Attire and Appearance
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Russians are generally a conservative and somber people and this is reflected in their attire. In a business setting, men are expected to wear dark-colored suits with quality dress shoes, and women should avoid flashy outfits and wear skirts that reach below the knee. Russian businessmen derive their impressions of a foreign businessperson by the way he or she dresses.
Forms of Address
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Most Russian names have three sections: first name, patronymic and surname. The patronymic pertains to one's father and translates to "son of" when it ends in -vich or -ovich or "daughter of" when it ends in -avna or -ovna. It is important to be able to distinguish a patronymic from a surname. Only friends and associates with a long and close relationship call each other by their first names and patronymics. Recently introduced foreigners who address a Russian too familiarly will be considered presumptuous or disrespectful. It is proper to address a Russian using the honorific "Gaspodin" which is equivalent to "Mr." or "Gaspazhah" which is equivalent to "Mrs." or "Ms.," followed by the surname.
Gifts
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Russians have a gift-giving culture. Gifts offered during business negotiations serve well as a social lubricant. As with dress codes, Russians will derive their opinion of a foreigner from the kind of gift offered. A foreign businessperson can impress a Russian counterpart by first doing a little personal background research and then purchasing the appropriate gift. In Russian business culture gift-giving is not as impersonal as it can be in some Western cultures.
Preparations
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Appointments must be set way ahead of the target date and should be followed up and confirmed as the date approaches. Time is valuable for Russians, but sometimes schedules have a way of being arbitrarily rearranged, so patience and prudence have a higher premium. Although Russian businesspeople generally speak English, it is often greatly appreciated if all business presentation materials are accompanied with a translated version. Business cards should also contain a translation on the other side printed in Cyrillic. This side should be presented when offering the card. Such action is taken as a positive gesture on the foreigner's part to accommodate the Russian language and culture.
Negotiations
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The first meeting is usually just a feeler and hardly anything substantial will be discussed. The initial encounter is often used to assess the visiting businessperson's character. Therefore, flexibility and willingness to negotiate for extended periods will be helpful. Also, be prepared to make a few concessions. Russians view compromise as weakness and can be intractable in their positions. With strategic rearranging of proposals and much patience, success can be achieved in doing business in Russia.
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Comments
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interested opinion!)).., but man who wrote it..is not Russian.
