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Comprehensive guide to the culture, etiquette and communication of Russia. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

the author�s subjective view
This is a compact book with a lot of useful information. However, while reading this portable guide, or similar sources, it is important to keep in mind that the given information is the author's subjective view, which might not be accurate. For example, either in order to make the book more entertaining or due to misleading research, Mitchell writes, "On an historical note: In Communism's heyday, many Russians gave children such inspirational names as Tractor, Melor (an acronym for Marx, Engles, Lenin, October Revolution) or even Ninel (a girl's name that is actually Lenin spelled backwards)." It is true that in the most remote locations during the pinnacle of Communist ideology that there were a few instances of people being named in this way. However, to say that "many" Russians named their children this way is completely untrue. A few Russian people of older generations who lived all of their lives in Russia said that they never heard any of these names.

The information that the author provides on typical Russian women's attire and appearance also differs from reality. Mitchell states, "High fashion for Russian women tends toward very high heels, tight dresses (often too much Tatiana or Luda stuffed into too little material), heavy makeup and big hair. Wealthy mutton invariably dresses as lamb - a sight that often takes some getting used." Those who traveled to major Russian cities in recent years would disagree with the author's perception. Perhaps the author lacked the company of other kind of ladies.

At a certain point the author describes how many young women in Russia are hired to work in businesses based on their looks rather than on their credentials and skills. Although it is possible to find such job advertisements, they are certainly not as common as the author would have us believe.Russian women have been actively participating in the workforce since the beginning of the 20th century and often have held the same positions as men. The author also mentions that work advertisements often specify that a young woman should be "prepared to perform other duties related to client entertainment..." Then he proceeds, "...But this should come as no surprise in a country that once held televised vacuum cleaner races to celebrate International Women's Day - a day meant to honor the contribution of women to world culture."

Mitchell probably did not conduct enough research on this matter. In 1910 at the International Conference of Women Socialists in Copenhagen, Klara Tsetkin, the well-known German revolutionary, suggested dedicating the 8th of March to International Women's Day. This holiday signifies the international solidarity of women in a struggle for economic, social and political equality. It was first celebrated in Europe in 1911, and in Russia in 1913. Russian women received equal rights in the second decade of the century, while in the U.S. equal rights for women began to appear only in 1970s with Affirmative Action legislation (Or with Equal Rights legislation?).

The author's comment about the "vacuum cleaner races" as a questionable means of celebrating womens' contributions, simply demonstrates the perspective that the author chose to portray it in, i.e. humorous.In reality, March 8th is a holiday in Russia where all women receive flowers from their sons, fathers, brothers, husbands, and male friends. Men try to do something special for the women in their lives on this day. The 8th of March has always been one of the most beautiful holidays in Russia.

Overall, the book is a fun portable guide, which does contain valuable information. However a Russian person reading this book would disagree with a many of authors' comments. A Russian person would likely note that the book is not judgment-free and often pokes fun at Russian culture rather than describing it. The conclusion is - use several sources to prepare for your business trip to Russia.

The author�s bias view of Russian Culture
This is a compact book with a lot of useful information. However, while reading this portable guide, or similar sources, it is important to keep in mind that the given information is the author's subjective view, which might not be accurate. For example, either in order to make the book more entertaining or due to misleading research, Mitchell writes, "On an historical note: In Communism's heyday, many Russians gave children such inspirational names as Tractor, Melor (an acronym for Marx, Engles, Lenin, October Revolution) or even Ninel (a girl's name that is actually Lenin spelled backwards)." It is true that in the most remote locations during the pinnacle of Communist ideology that there were a few instances of people being named in this way. However, to say that "many" Russians named their children this way is completely untrue. A few Russian people of older generations who lived all of their lives in Russia said that they never heard any of these names.

The information that the author provides on typical Russian women's attire and appearance also differs from reality. Mitchell states, "High fashion for Russian women tends toward very high heels, tight dresses (often too much Tatiana or Luda stuffed into too little material), heavy makeup and big hair. Wealthy mutton invariably dresses as lamb - a sight that often takes some getting used." Those who traveled to major Russian cities in recent years would disagree with the author's perception. Perhaps the author lacked the company of other kind of ladies.

At a certain point the author describes how many young women in Russia are hired to work in businesses based on their looks rather than on their credentials and skills. Although it is possible to find such job advertisements, they are certainly not as common as the author would have us believe.Russian women have been actively participating in the workforce since the beginning of the 20th century and often have held the same positions as men. The author also mentions that work advertisements often specify that a young woman should be "prepared to perform other duties related to client entertainment..." Then he proceeds, "...But this should come as no surprise in a country that once held televised vacuum cleaner races to celebrate International Women's Day - a day meant to honor the contribution of women to world culture."

Mitchell probably did not conduct enough research on this matter. In 1910 at the International Conference of Women Socialists in Copenhagen, Klara Tsetkin, the well-known German revolutionary, suggested dedicating the 8th of March to International Women's Day. This holiday signifies the international solidarity of women in a struggle for economic, social and political equality. It was first celebrated in Europe in 1911, and in Russia in 1913. Russian women received equal rights in the second decade of the century, while in the U.S. equal rights for women began to appear only in 1970s with Affirmative Action legislation (Or with Equal Rights legislation?).

The author's comment about the "vacuum cleaner races" as a questionable means of celebrating womens' contributions, simply demonstrates the perspective that the author chose to portray it in, i.e. humorous.In reality, March 8th is a holiday in Russia where all women receive flowers from their sons, fathers, brothers, husbands, and male friends. Men try to do something special for the women in their lives on this day. The 8th of March has always been one of the most beautiful holidays in Russia.

Overall, the book is a fun portable guide, which does contain valuable information. However a Russian person reading this book would disagree withmany of authors' comments. A Russian person would likely note that the book is not judgment-free and often pokes fun at Russian culture rather than describing it. The conclusion is - use several sources to prepare for your business trip to Russia. ... Read more

Product Description
This work is based upon a series of longitudinal case-studies of Russian enterprises that were tracked during the 1990s. It provides insight into the initial conditions that are being established in Russia, which will to a large extent determine the kind of market system that is emerging. This work also has a more general relevance and bears upon the broader theoretical debate on institutional and societal change that concerns not only Russia but elsewhere. ... Read more

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This is the next generation of Business Dictionaries. Including modern banking, accounting, insurance, real estate, import-export, taxes, business law and computer terms, this is an essential resource for those working in multi-lingual, multi-cultural business fields. ... Read more

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English to Russian Dictionary
This dictionary only translates from English into Russian so it is likely to be nearly worthless for native English speakers. ... Read more

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Russian Business Survival Guide ... Read more

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Strategic and business information on the Russian nuclear industry, research nuclear facilities and reactors.Contact information for major industrial and research facilities. ... Read more

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As part of the "Post-Soviet Business Forum" series, this volume provides an examination of the challenges for Russian economic reform. ... Read more

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seriously outdated, and interesting only for a serious schol
Unfortunately, many academic were trapped in a time warp when they wrote their contributions to this book. Events have moved so far that their prejudices and biases were overtaken by reality, if not ":mugged by rerality". Any reader who years to know where the ex-USSR's economy is going -- or how it got to the miserable place it's now at -- should loook elsewhere. This is not the kind of book that will answer basic questions (such as "How did the average Russian enterprise cope, or at least try to cope, with the collapse of the USSR and the demise of the command economy?"). Scholars will, however, find some interesting items amongst some of the essays and articles reprinted in this book. ... Read more

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Russian Government Guide ... Read more

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Djibouti Country Sudy Guide ... Read more

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Crisis phone numbers, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, post offices in Russian regions. ... Read more

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Russian Textile Industry Directory ... Read more

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The collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic at the end of the 1980’s was conceived as a victory for capitalist democracy. Here, Vincent Barnett provides the first comprehensive account of the historical development of Russian and Soviet economic thought across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and considers its future in the twenty-first century.

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This is the next generation of Business Dictionaries. Including modern banking, accounting, insurance, real estate, import-export, taxes, business law and computer terms, this is an essential resource for those working in multi-lingual, multi-cultural business fields. ... Read more

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As part of the "Post-Soviet business forum" series, this volume provides an examination of the investment opportunities in Russia and the CIS. ... Read more

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"

Fedor Chizhov built the first railroad owned entirely by Russian stockholders, created Moscow's first bank and mutual credit society, and launched the first profitable steamship line based in Archangel. In this valuable book, Thomas Owen vividly illuminates the life and world of this seminal figure in early Russian capitalism.

Chizhov condemned European capitalism as detrimental to the ideal of community and the well-being of workers and peasants. In his strategy of economic nationalism, Chizhov sought to motivate merchants to undertake new forms of corporate enterprise without undermining ethnic Russian culture. He faced numerous obstacles, from the lack of domestic investment capital to the shortage of enlightened entrepreneurial talent. But he reserved his harshest criticism for the tsarist ministers, whose incompetence and prejudice against private entrepreneurship proved his greatest hindrance.

Richly documented from Chizhov's detailed diary, this work offers an insightful exploration of the institutional impediments to capitalism and the rule of law that plagued the tsarist empire and continue to bedevil post-Soviet Russia.

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Whether bargaining for strategic arms reductions, rights to drill Siberian oil fields, or an apartment in Moscow, Americans are faced across the table by a distinct Russian negotiating style. What are its chief characteristics, and how can U.S. diplomats and businesspeople best deal with it as they pursue their own objectives?

Jerrold Schecter explores these questions with a wealth of personal experience as a former government official, journalist, and corporate executive. His insights, deepened by his working knowledge of the Russian language, also draw on the testimony of U.S. and former Soviet diplomats and negotiators. As he examines the historical and cultural underpinnings of contemporary Russian negotiating behavior, Schecter finds that the Bolshevik legacy remains largely intact despite the Soviet Union's demise. A step-by-step examination of the negotiating process, based on unique inside accounts from retired Soviet officials, exposes the areas of greatest continuity in Russian interests and style, as well as areas of change.

Russian Negotiating Behavior also identifies counterstrategies that western negotiators can use to protect their interests, and it outlines the requirements for doing business in Russia's nascent market economy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Indispensible for business
I work with people of former Soviet states in business negotiation, and I found this book to provide indispensible insight and recommendations that have made an important difference in my dealings.This book provided me with background on culture that clarified past failed negotiations and has improved present ones.I would also recommend this book to anyone embarking on extended (non-tourist) travel to the former Soviet states, just to set the tone.I am purchasing additional copies to send to friends in similar circumstances.

Solid review of Russian negotiating behaviour
Schecter has given us a considered and reliable glimpse into what drivesRussian diplomats and decision-makers in negotiations. Useful references toSoviet practices give the reader a long-term framework within which toevaluate the more chaotic post-Soviet decision-making processes. Effectivecountervailing strategies emerge from his analysis. As a practicing Westerndiplomat dealing with Russia, I will be recommending this book tocolleagues. ... Read more