| There are some fundamental mindsets of the | | | | dream about the Golden Age, about the |
| Russian business people. Any person doing | | | | heavenly city - Modern Rome. They believe |
| business in modern Russia or with Russians | | | | that Mankind always goes onward only if the |
| would benefit from knowing these as much of | | | | divine light lit the way. Until the fall of |
| business behaviour is guided by | | | | communism they seldom doubted this messianic |
| mindsets.These five mindsets are1. How things | | | | mission. The current state of Russia, with |
| happen or don't2. Decision making - | | | | the high prices, insecurity, terrorist |
| Hierarchy3. Concept of time4. Connections - | | | | attacks and failure of post-communist |
| "Blat"5. Faith in own system6. Conspicuous | | | | capitalism to bring heaven on earth has seen |
| consumptionHow things happen or don'tIn | | | | the Russian mindset moving towards, "Let's |
| Russia how things happen or don't is a | | | | learn and adopt everything Western!" while |
| mystery very difficult for outsiders to | | | | never forgetting "Mother Russia knows |
| understand. For example, in neighbouring | | | | best." The fact that people complain about |
| Finland things (excluding matters to do | | | | current state of affairs doesn't erode this |
| with politics) usually happen rather | | | | basic messianic faith. The following joke |
| systematically in a bureaucratic fashion and | | | | highlights this faith."A Russian and an |
| the process is usually rather transparent. | | | | American die and they both go to hell. |
| In Russia nothing important happens without | | | | Satan, the manager in charge of hell, asks |
| a crisis or big drama which forces people to | | | | them, "Which hell do you prefer, the |
| act and the forces behind such crises could | | | | Russian one or the American one?" "What's |
| remain hidden from view. When you are caught | | | | the difference?" the Russian asks. "In the |
| up in this "period of inaction" don't tell | | | | American hell, you will be forced to eat one |
| the Russians that they are lazy or | | | | bucket of waste every day; in the Russian, |
| inefficient. This is a big mistake. They | | | | two," Satan explains. The American decides |
| are immensely proud of their culture, their | | | | to go to the American hell. The Russian, |
| status as a superpower and achievements | | | | being a patriot, chooses the Russian hell. |
| like space exploration.Decision-making - | | | | One year later the two men run into one |
| HierarchyRussia is a very hierarchic society | | | | another. "How's life?" the Russian asks. |
| and decision-making processes are very | | | | "Can't complain," the American answers. "I |
| different from western (especially Finnish | | | | eat one bucket of waste every morning, and |
| and Swedish) models. The hierarchical nature | | | | then I'm free for the rest of the day. What |
| of Russian society with very large power | | | | about you?" "It couldn't be better!" the |
| distance is very important to remember in | | | | Russian explains. "Just like back on earth! |
| business dealings. Who approaches whom in | | | | They're either late with waste deliveries, |
| business dealings is crucial to the | | | | or they're having bucket |
| success. Nowadays, Russian businesspeople pay | | | | shortages."Conspicuous consumptionThe |
| a lot of attention to how they are dressed. | | | | American economist Torstein Veblen first |
| Russian people in general probably spend more | | | | coined the term in his "The Theory of the |
| money from their family budget on clothing | | | | Leisure Class" back in 1899. Veblen argued |
| then any other nation in the world. Those who | | | | that economic life is not driven by notions |
| can't afford to buy top fashion brand | | | | of utility, but by social vestiges from |
| clothing (such as Versace, Armani or Hugo | | | | pre-historic times and much of today's |
| Boss) prefer to be dressed in cheaper but | | | | society is just a variation on early tribal |
| still well made clothing. There is an old | | | | life. This tribal character of Russian life |
| Russian proverb--"They want to meet you | | | | is very central to understanding the |
| depending on how you're dressed and they say | | | | stratification of Russian society. Brands and |
| good bye depending on how wise you | | | | visible symbols of success are priority |
| seem."Concept of timeMany business people in | | | | number one. Here is a nice joke, which is |
| neighbouring Finland have started adopting | | | | very descriptive about the NRs or Nouveau |
| the American concept of time - time is | | | | Riches.After a car crash a NR is lying on the |
| money. This is rather strange to the Russian | | | | side of the road, weeping aloud. Oh, my |
| concept of time. Though he may not appear | | | | BMW! - He wails, - Oh, my BMW!!! A passer |
| to be very academic, the Russian businessman | | | | by is shocked to hear it and asks "How can |
| is very conscious of how Russia rose from | | | | you cry about your car, when you've just lost |
| Novgorod days to become a superpower. | | | | your entire hand?" The NR evaluates the |
| Russian time does not go in a straight line; | | | | situation and resumes his cries: Oh, my |
| it is more like a process of quantum leaps | | | | Rolex! "Rana Sinha was born in India, studied |
| and small circles with no clear line joining | | | | and lived in many places and travelled in 80 |
| the circles. So this concept of long time | | | | |
| permeates every action of the Russian | | | | countries, acquiring cross-cultural |
| businessman. If you lose your nerves when | | | | knowledge and building an extensive network |
| things are not moving fast, you show signs of | | | | of |
| immaturity.Connections - "Blat"In Russia | | | | |
| nothing significant moves without "Blat" or | | | | professionals. He has spent many years |
| connections. People remember and count | | | | developing and delivering Cross-cultural |
| favours like currency. There is a great | | | | |
| emphasis on building and maintaining | | | | Training, Professional Communications |
| personal cordial relationships through | | | | skills, Personal Development and |
| respect, presents, favours and counter | | | | |
| favours.Faith in own systemThe neighbouring | | | | Management solutions to all types of |
| Finns and Swedes believe that the Finnish or | | | | organizations and businesses. He now lives in |
| Swedish version of the democratic welfare | | | | |
| state is the greatest achievement of the | | | | |
| human mind and they are very proud of it. | | | | Helsinki, Finland and runs which |
| The Russians have a messianic approach to | | | | specializes in human resource development as |
| being Russian. For them it is the | | | | well as communication and management skills |
| embodiment of the dream about perfection: | | | | |
| nature, the world, man, man's life, the | | | | training with cross-cultural emphasis. |