Skif Consulting helps facilitate the inflow of investments into Russia

What role, in your opinion, can Russian companies, such as yours, which have productive cooperation with French and other foreign corporations, play in bringing nations together?

Any foreign company, when launching operations in other countries, especially in a country with its specificities as Russia, always exercises a certain degree of caution. It is very important for it to be convinced that it is possible for it to do business in such country, that it is quite simple and, most importantly, very profitable to do so. This is exactly what we do. In this context, we are like an outpost in attracting foreign investments into Russia and helping to simplify the inflow process and the entire investment procedures for clients. It is no secret that people like it, when interactions with them are done in their native languages. This is why we have as, a policy, bilingual employees, who, first and foremost, can speak French in addition to Russian.  

How would you briefly describe today's business relations between Russia and France? 

Generally speaking, Russian-French bilateral relations have a centuries-long history, which have always been mutually beneficial and productive. We have lots of cultural, economic and political contacts. However, the progress in our bilateral relations has recently become even more obvious, a fact that is evident in the rising trade turnover figures that are now measured in billions of euros, and the scope of joint projects, which is breathtaking. As you know, 2010 has simultaneously been declared the ‘Year of Russia in France and the Year of France in Russia.’ I am sure our relations will improve even more significantly under this project.  

Skif has grown from a firm with two employees into an international company with offices in Russia and Belarus within a few years. What is the secret behind such an outstanding success? 

I would like to believe that the secret of this success lies in our professionalism, correctly chosen development strategy and direction, and, of course, a little bit of luck. 

Why did you choose Belarus as the first foreign country for expanding your operations? 

The main reason for choosing Minsk as the venue for opening our first foreign partner office is simple, if not banal. I was born in Belarus and began my education there, so it would have been strange not to use the connections acquired over the years for business development purposes. The other reasons lie in the sphere of politics and economy: these include close economic relations between Belarus and Russia, the creation of the Customs Union (CU), and, finally, the geographical proximity. With regard to future expansion plans, we are planning to open an office soon in France, most likely in Lyons, whilst among the CIS countries, we are planning to expand into Kazakhstan, another CU member state. 

“We are like an outpost in the process of attracting foreign investments into Russia by helping to simplify the inflow of capital and the entire investment procedures for clients.”

What would you call your company’s unique competitive advantages in your industry? 

One of such advantages is our flexibility. In our work, we try to combine things that at first sight look incompatible: thus, on one hand, we never give unrealistic promises or empty guarantees to clients, while at the same time, we never say ‘no’ to clients. In other words, if there is a solution to a problem, we will find it for the client, even if we have to involve third parties to do so. If such a solution does not exist, we always tell our about such outcomes honestly and in advance. It is true that sometimes such an approach affects economic results, but then the advantages in terms of reputation are much higher. We always fight for each client, and clients, in their turn, like to work with us. 

Vital corporate data is provided on your site in a ‘playful format,’ which make visitors want to read further and further. Which other non-standard approaches are in your company’s arsenal?  

It is difficult to offer ‘something fresh’ or non-standard in our business, as most clients value a formal approach lawyers and consultants’ jobs. However, we always try to point out in our work that we are not just mere interpreters of laws and accounting rules, but normal people who always try to get to the heart of the matter when dealing with their clients’ problems. This helps us win clients’ loyalty. I can assure you that no clients that had any dealings with us have ever voluntarily terminated our cooperation. This is because, with us, they – the clients - are always right.