How to do business in UkraineSUBJECT: CROSS-CULTURAL MANAGEMENTODYSSEAS CHLORIDISCHRISTOS MITRAKAS
Introduction
Where is Ukraine?
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It is located in the eastern part of Europe and it is the biggest country in Europe. It is bordered Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Belarus and Russia with which is in confflict
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In common folk history the word Ukraine meant Borderland
Introduction
Ukraine’s flag
Ukraine’s symbol and coat of arms
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The blue part represents Peace, the clear blue sky above Ukraine and the country's streams. The golden-yellow represents prosperity and wheat fields. -NOT WEED FIELDS!
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The ukraine coat-of-arms is the 'Tryzub', a blue shield with a golden trident
Introduction
Ukraine’s religion
Ukraine’s Currency is Hrynvia
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The main majority of the population are Orthodox Christians but there are also many Catholics and Protestants
Introduction
Ukraine’s most common words Cyka-blyat
Pryvit
Pa-pa
Triastsia tvojeji materiAnd… Cyka-blyat again!
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It is like the polish Kurwa the greek Γαμωτο, or the english Fuck! Damn! Russians and Ukraines all the time. Sometimes in a sentence of 10 words the 4 can be Suka-Bliat
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You say it when you are surprised about something
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Which is how you say hello
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Bye-bye
What not to do in Ukraine
Point your index finger
Hands in your pockets / Hands folded across the chest
Chewing gum
Spreading or Crossing your legs
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It is considered highly unpolite
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When speaking to elderly people or a superior
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Chewing gum in the presence of superiors or elderly is highly unpolite
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Spreading or crossing your legs in public it is considered rude by some people
What to do in Ukraine
Thumbs up
Eye contact
Table manners
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It means approval, like in many countries
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Strong eye-contact when you speak to the other person. It shows respect and confidence
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Your hands have to be mostly on the table and all of the food that you got served should get eaten before you leave the table
Starting a business in Ukraine
Bureaucratic Difficulties Register at the Registration Office
Prepare a seal
Open a permanent Ukrainian bank account
Register VAT at the State Tax Authority and obtain a VAT number
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The use of a company seal is not mandated by law but the seal is widely use in practice. The Registrar itself requires for documents to be sealed.
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Which might take a lot of time, even months to complete the registration
Starting a business in Ukraine
General Difficulties Non-transparent government regulations
Bribery
Contacts within the government
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Rules and principles created by the goverment are poorly formulated and not available to the general public
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It is sometimes necessary to bribe goverment officials to do your job
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To do your job easier and quicker it is necessary to have some 'friends' in the goverment
Starting a business in Ukraine
How to start a business Good friends make a good business
Feeling comfortable with each other is crucial for most Ukrainians in starting business together.
Many of the most successful businesses include families and close friends, because being able to trust and rely on each other is what’s valued the most.
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When starting a business with someone it is very common to invite a new partner home. That will usually involve eating plenty of traditional food, drinking VODKA and joining in long conversations. It is very likely that if two partners don’t feel they could get along as friends, their business will not move on any further.
Starting a business in Ukraine
How to start a business
Difficult for a stranger to understand this way of making business partners particularly if they wish to keep their lives private from business and are non-drinkers.
YOU MUST DRINK VODKA FOR PEOPLE TO LIKE YOU!
How to do business in Ukraine
Being late is the norm for Ukrainians
In Ukraine, meetings are frequently rescheduled and cancelled, often at the last minute
Meeting in person to discuss business
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We go to the main part of the presentation now which is how to really do business in Ukraine
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Arriving five or more minutes late is really typical for Ukrainians so stranger must be ready for this. They are like Greeks in this kind of thing.
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Therefore, it's always a good idea to confirm meetings to be sure
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Ukrainians are right in preferring meetings in person; only in person can one judge others' true intentions and trustworthiness. We see a big difference on this thing compared to the West where phone calls or Skype conferences are really typical to discuss and make decisions
How to do business in Ukraine
It is good to have someone from the inside
Different leadership styles
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As mentioned above due to the unstable political situation in Ukraine and the antagonistic relationship that goverment has with orgainizations is neseccary to know some people from the inside that can help you.
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In Ukraine, leaders tend to concentrate decision-making powers in their own hands and demand loyalty and obedience from their employees. In the new capitalistic Ukraine, many employers resort to aggressive interviewing techniques designed to take out the"weak" potential employees who can't take the heat or dislike pressure.
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Bur lower ranking workers do not act well toward authority — a well-known trait of Ukrainians and especially Russians.
Meetings and Negotiations
Smart dress code to show respect
General introductory meetings are not welcome and you should be ready to present your specific points even during the first appointment.
Hand shaking is more important than in the West
If you wish to present flowers, make sure they make an odd number.
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But there are some which say you have to avoiding shaking hands across a threshold, so be carefull!
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Flower buckets of even number are used only in funerals
Meetings and Negotiations
Business meetings and negotiations can be more extended than the West
A Memo of Understanding might be needed
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It expresses the will between 2 or more parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is like a more formal way to say that two or parties want to come and understanding. It usually is informal but i can also be quite formal if the situation demands to.
Other things that someone should know Many surveys say that In a personal level people tend to be
more irresponsible and blame outer sources for problems
Relationships between coworkers are warmer and more close than Western countries
