18+
This course is designed for entrepreneurs who are planning to do business in Russia or already work with Russian partners and want to:
Explore Russian painting, literature and ballet, and discover new topics of conversation to help build connections
Master the nuances of Russian business etiquette, from the first introduction to signing an agreement
Explore business opportunities in Russia, from trade and investment to technology partnerships
Approach negotiations with Russian partners more confidently and better understand what lies behind their words and reactions
Discover how history, geography and traditions have shaped the way Russians think
Look beyond familiar stereotypes to gain a deeper understanding of Russia and its culture
At first glance, Russia can seem like a harsh and puzzling place. But look a little closer, and you’ll discover a country rich in treasures, both material and cultural. This course will help you see Russia in a whole new light
Before the course
After the course
I want to make a good impression on potential business partners. Should I bring an expensive gift?
My Russian business partner says they need to consult their management. Is that just a polite way of saying no?
I know that decision-making authority in Russian companies is often clearly defined, so even experienced employees may need approval before making a commitment
I understand that in Russia, a smile often expresses personal warmth, which tends to develop as people get to know each other. A reserved manner at a first meeting doesn’t necessarily mean an unfriendly attitude
My Russian colleagues hardly smile when we first meet. Maybe they’re not happy to see me
I know that an expensive gift could make the recipient uncomfortable. A small, thoughtful souvenir from my home country is often a better choice
Take a virtual journey across Russia and discover the keys to building successful business partnerships
Our engaging 30-minute videos offer valuable insights you can apply to a wide range of business situations, from your first visit to Russia to high-stakes negotiations
Five Principles of the Russian Mindset: From Expansiveness to Improvisation
- How Russia’s vast territory influences the scale of its projects and the challenges its people face.
- What sobornost means and how the communal traditions of Russian village life continue to shape modern business culture.
- Why Russians value sincerity and emotional depth, even when they don’t express everything directly.
- How a history of overcoming adversity has fostered resilience and influenced the Russian approach to entrepreneurship.
- What the Russian concept of avos means and how resourcefulness can save the day, even in seemingly hopeless situations — much like the Indian concept of jugaad.
Russia Today: Moscow and Beyond
- What economic statistics reveal about Moscow’s role in the Russian economy.
- What Russia has to offer the global market beyond oil and gas.
- How successful entrepreneurs and philanthropists have left their mark on Russian culture.
- What gentrification looks like in Russia and where Moscow’s creative community thrives.
- Why companies entering the Russian market can draw on a pool of highly skilled professionals, and where the country’s future business leaders are trained.
Business Case Study: The Kaluga Pharmaceutical Cluster
- Why the Kaluga region became home to a major new pharmaceutical cluster.
- How peaceful nuclear technology is helping advance cancer treatment.
- How industrial clusters work and why this model offers competitive advantages.
- How Russian and Indian companies can benefit from partnerships in knowledge-intensive industries.
- How much Indian companies have already invested in developing the Kaluga pharmaceutical cluster.
Business Etiquette: Negotiating in Kazan
- Who really makes the decisions in a Russian company.
- What to consider when preparing a presentation for potential Russian partners.
- What a straightforward "yes" or "no" might actually mean at the negotiating table.
- How to set boundaries and protect your interests when working with Russian partners.
- How to formalize agreements and turn a successful project into a lasting business relationship.
Art and Culture: A Journey to St. Petersburg
- Why Peter the Great founded a new capital that would become Russia’s most European city.
- What 18th-century Russia learned from the West — and how it adapted those influences in its own way.
- How masterpieces of Russian painting reveal key aspects of the national mindset.
- What avant-garde art can tell us about the Russian way of thinking.
- How even a fairy-tale ballet can reveal distinctive aspects of Russian culture.
Bonus Resources
Russia by the Numbers
Up-to-date statistics on the Russian economy and the country’s economic ties with India
A Guide to Russian Business Etiquette
Practical tips to help international entrepreneurs navigate interactions with Russian business partners
Where to Go in Russia
A curated guide to must-see destinations across the country
By the end of this course, you'll be better equipped to:
Understand how Russian business partners think and make decisions, from initial negotiations to signing agreements and building lasting relationships
Recognize common patterns in Russian business culture, from a preference for direct communication to an emphasis on long-term relationships
Recognize the forces shaping Russia’s economy and identify promising opportunities to work with local companies
Navigate Russian culture with confidence, drawing on your knowledge of its iconic figures, works of art, values and traditions
Explore Russia, Its People and Its Business Culture with Expert Guidance and Support from SberIndia
Svetlana Orel — A graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, a voice actress, and a speech and vocal coach
Ольга Чуворкина
Историк искусства, эксперт по риторике, академический директор Синхронизации.
Выпускница РГГУ, Сорбонны и Гарварда, член Ассоциации искусствоведов. Автор образовательных программ для РГГУ и ГМИИ им. Пушкина.
Выпускница РГГУ, Сорбонны и Гарварда, член Ассоциации искусствоведов. Автор образовательных программ для РГГУ и ГМИИ им. Пушкина.
