Foreign Staffing, Inc.

Proper Ukrainian business

etiquette is essential to gain new

partners and clients in the

Ukrainian business community.

It is easy to gain the respect of

and impress your Ukrainian

colleagues when you are aware

of what they value and

collaborate in their refined sense

of etiquette, all of which will

enhance your entry into the

Ukrainian world of business.

Know each person’s title and be sure toaddress your Ukrainian colleagues withthe appropriate title and surname uponinitial meeting.

If your Ukrainian colleague does nothave a professional or academic title,use the prefix of “Pan” (for men) and“Pani” (for women) followed by his orher surname.

Always shake hands with your Ukrainiancolleagues upon initial meeting.

Maintain eye contact and repeat yourname during each handshake.Remember to shake hands again whendeparting.

In order to become successful in this

international market it is vital to build

relationships.

Ukrainians like to do business with

people they know and feel they can

trust.

Allow small talk at the beginning of a

meeting in order for your Ukrainian

colleagues to get to know you.

Be sure to wait for your colleague to

switch the conversation topic from

personal to business. Be diplomatic

and support your statements with

facts.

When conversing with Ukrainian

colleagues you do not know very

well, be careful of their feelings when

delivering information.

Once your colleagues know you

better, expect to engage in more

candid conversation.

You shouldn’t expect to strictly follow

an agenda.

Ukrainians see agendas as just

guidelines for further discussion, follow

their lead.

Be sure to put academic titles on

business cards.

Remember Ukrainians respect

academic degrees. Translate one

side of your business card into

Ukrainian.

Go that extra mile and impress your

Ukrainian colleagues by providing

them with a Ukrainian translation of

all of your pertinent documents.

Ukraine business meetings often take

place over meals which helps to build

relationships.

You may be invited to a business

meeting with a meal in a colleague’s

home.

Ukrainians operate under customary

gender roles.

Ukrainian men will open doors for

women, pour their drinks and light

their cigarettes.

Follow their lead of respect when

abroad.

Be aware that some Ukrainians are

superstitious so avoid shaking hands

over a threshold or even passing an

object over a threshold, both of

these gestures are considered bad

luck.

Dress formally and conservatively, with

men wearing suits and women wearing

suits or dresses.