Report for French expatriates in Russia: Cultural differences and recommendations to succeed in business there

We are cross-cultural consultants and experts in Russia’s business culture and we are going through this report to show how to successfully do business there. This report will facilitate the cultural integration of French expatriates in Russia and help them to succeed doing business there. Russia, officially "Russian Federation", is a state in Northern Eurasia. This largest country in the world is a Federal semi presidential republic when France is a Constitutional republic. The oil resources maintain a strong growth and economic indicators are set fair in Russia. The Russian currency is the ruble. A French people in Russia will collide with cultural differences. There are three different types of expatriation: Short-term assignments, Commuter assignments and Long-term assignments. Expatriated workers will face challenges: they will spend an extended period of time living and working outside their native country.

[...] Moreover, modest gifts, or French specialties are welcomed by the Russian partners, and it could be a means to reinforce links with a potential business partner Current practices in work relationships We need to be careful when we begin on the Russian market, especially in the choice of the intermediaries and business offers which could be formulated by Russian partners. Russian market involve to precede steps by steps and to conserve the mastery of our activity. A perfect knowledge of the product or the technology that we want to export is fundamental. [...]

[...] In business, it is normal to suggest to be called by the first name, and not the family name. If the first contact is well done, we can continue the negotiations in France. If we choose to engage in business with Russian, we should avoid talking about this engagement during a meal where vodka is always here. We have to be careful to not speaking about negotiation terms or our opinion on the partners in front of employees (drivers, secretary it could be dangerous because we do not know who understand our language. [...]

[...] In fact, Russia and France have many differences but only those; which create problems are harmful for building relationship between a French expatriate and Russian subordinates or colleagues. So, to establish those first differences, we referred to Hofstede’s framework. According to this analyze, the cultural identity is defined by 5 criteria which are: Power distance, Individualism, Masculinity, Uncertainty avoidance and, Long term orientation. Therefore, we can obtain these official scores: France Power Distance Individualism Masculinity Uncertainty Avoidance Long term orientation Russia Long term Long term According to Hofstede’s scores, Power distance and Individualism can disturb work relationship between a French expatriate and his colleagues. [...]