At this time my companion was a longtime friend and business partner - Igor Osadchy occurring to the web under the name Student.
Initially, the interview was intended as an audio podcast, but because of poor recording quality, had to spend time on his transcript, and this is what came of it:.
I greet you and give, perhaps, begin our interview.
How long have you gone to Finland?.
Hi. My move took place on March 2, 2009.
How you got the idea to open a business in Finland, because you have a number of successful business projects in Murmansk?.
In Murmansk, all is well, except for two things: nature is not very affectionate, the sun is not enough, not enough oxygen. And the - the people, except for the constant circle of friends - I mean, with whom you communicate in business - there, friends - but when you go out to the regular shop and looking at you sullen face, you push, unpleasant sights and t. e.... at some point it all starts to get peace of mind and want to. We often went to Finland to rest and when to come, relax completely. Well, respectively, at some point, when it became clear that it is time to move somewhere to the south and in a more peaceful place, began to consider the Scandinavian countries. First, think about Sweden, but then it so happened that after all decided to move to Finland.
In Finland,... m. e. North country. There is a way that the northern people... they are rather gloomy, and the Finns - the others?.
Well, first of all Finns are different, just like all the different Russian. Just, unfortunately, Russia inherited the Soviet Union - it makes itself felt to this day, and still do not know how many decades will pass before people will swap... Yes, the Finns, perhaps, for the most part they are not too emotional, but at the same . Well, again, for all I will not say, but at least what I see around me. And, in fact, try to do everything possible so that others feel comfortable. And it does not depend on whether you are a Finn, or any other nationality. If you behave as usual in this environment, people are trying to do everything, so you feel good.
It is clear. Tell me, please, t. to. starting a business in another country, usually linked with a move to this country as you and your family can easily dalos this decision - in fact, change their place of residence?.
It so happened that on the contrary, we decided that we need to change their place of residence. With that in Murmansk and in business suits and all that got great pleasure and I get to communicate with the people that spoke in Murmansk, and communicate. But at the same time, when you have a 30- nick, you need to go somewhere to the south. We all decided that the time has come. The second very important point - that the daughter is already in school this year, and, therefore, must either go to the Russian school, or go to the European school.
I figured Finland - destination or slowly you may, will move further south, in any country? .
Yes, that's for sure, because in life in general something to guess - it is very difficult. I can say that as a city of Oulu for life in general I think the best of what I saw. Although I have seen, well, a lot of cities.
And what is so remarkable in Oulu as a place that you chose to live well, including those that conduct business. What business is dosprimechatelnosti in Oulu?.
Before you decide, I met with the city administration and the people quite high, and with people who are engaged in support of business here and t. Dr.. Even at these meetings it became clear that Oulu - a city where everything is built around the fact that people here live well. Here today, talked with a friend from Tyumen - he asked a question about how, say, in Oulu things with the Internet.
So... 825 - it is only employed to date points of free Wi-Fi, which are placed throughout the city. T. e. wherever you are located within a radius of several hundred meters, and often tens of meters, you can find free Internet. For all this pays the city, but generally, if not mistaken, there is 1100 points and the area is constantly expanding. For cyclists and pedestrians - some roads, some bridges, t. e. a separate infrastructure. Plus - well, Finland generally quite a safe country, but the northern and central Finland, behold, Oulu, in particular, an extremely safe city, t. e. Bicycles are dozens of not wearing. They just stand on the street. If you have forgotten, for example, navigation or some expensive camera in the car - well, I mean shut the car and went to the store and thought about it - in Russia, then you're flying at breakneck speed, and pull out all of the machines that are not there . I walked on the court repairs from neighbors - on the first floor were building materials - laminate packages, tiles, there is some glue, something else - that's three weeks they lay - open access - no one even thinks about that . Dr..
clear. Igor, we have digressed to life in Finland, well, although this, too, just such an important issue, but I would like to go to business, t. e. it is in business in Finland. That's how much, approximately, did you have to meet with Finnish business partners, and then you said yourself that everything - business in Finland to be!?.
Well, the number of meetings is difficult to remember me now, I can say that it was a trip for a few days, when first we met with people from the administration of Oulu, and - this is surprising - came, in fact, a well, to put it mildly, . e. I. And to me was a man who worked for the Finnish company in Murmansk. Since we met the first person from the administration, which deals with the economy - Dr Mikko Carvin (Dr. Mikko Karvo) - is Director of Economic Development Administration of Oulu. The program has been completely done so that the stay in the city was as comfortable as possible, t. e. Any suggestions, meetings, everything was organized at the highest level - all of this agency was engaged in business development Oulu. And while there were no special requests on our part, t. e. was to meet with business in Oulu and the guys from the Agency for Business Development have everything in order to be able to see everything that I wanted. And then I looked up just in Oulu and I realized that there really want to live, because when we say, dined at the restaurant Smart House - this is a great restaurant Technopolis, where, in general, the majority of the people and the Technopolis . Every second, perhaps, the table is not people talking in Finnish and in English, a sense of transnationalism, it is simply in the air... plus brands like Nokia, Sanera, Xerox, etc. Dr..
You mentioned Technopolis - what is it?.
Technopolis - is a city of the future, which is located in Oulu, where the University. In many university faculties: electronics ( IT ), biology, medicine, etc. Dr.. And m. n. And there are these ultra-modern office buildings, employing the usual companies and startups. In particular, in the center of the development of Technopolis Nokia - this is the second largest development center of Nokia in Finland and it employs about four thousand, if I remember correctly, the person. Plus the rest of the company. When you come back, you're surrounded by dozens of famous brands from childhood, and many start-ups. It lists dozens of startups hang.
Yes, this is a very nice place! . e. the future: science and the future labor force, existing businesses that start businesses, t. e. it 's like that stock, which are brewed future businesses.
Do you think that in Russia actually create something like this?.
When spoken to friends earrings (he is from Tyumen ), he said, you know, I have a feeling that Russia is not that a long time and never get to create a level of comfort and convenience for business and life. This we were talking, when we discussed the topic of free Wi-Fi and the question was asked - here in Oulu where more than 1,000 points - a municipality for the money raised, and why? . Moreover, such a small observation - a network of free Wi-Fi, which operates throughout the city, called panOULU, so that's when you visit the site panOULU, you're not reading all the Finnish and in English. T. e. Finnish section is definitely there, but there is an understanding that after all the main users will be people who do not necessarily speak the Finnish language. And so - at every step, t. e. so deep an understanding that all work for the sake of the people were comfortable and convenient living, I think, in Russia has not yet ten generations must be replaced, if at all possible. I think so.
We proceed to the next question. Those who are legal entities registered in Russia are aware and prepared for some inconveniences, difficulties that are coming to them with the banks with tax and other regulatory agencies. How this state of affairs in Finland m. e. registration of legal entity, you do it?.
Yes, we registered the company - well, what can I say? . And since we received this by e-mail number - the company is registered and can conduct operations.
There are no queues, some so bad it is not clear where the walk and paying money is simply no.
And as the state helps budding entrepreneurs?.
The important point is that I am not a registered company. I have 2 partners from Finland, and it makes a big difference, and. But if the partners were not, and want to register one company - in every region there is a center for business development - is either a TE-keskus, or a special agency, consultancy, which is present in major cities. They are committed to help you do everything and, in general, all the time, when you communicate with such companies, they say that the main thing - that you had an idea how to make money - everything else we do for you. T. e. They really help to and from the. This is a very important point, Lauronen Jarmo (Jarmo Lauronen) from the Agency for Business Development Oulu, we organized a study tour. And when we arrived on a visit to Oulu, and when he heard the account of the fact that I still intend to open a company in Finland and going to live in Oulu, he wrote a letter in which he offered his help to find our apartment here . He helped my daughter to school and pick up t. Dr.. Moreover, no one asked about it. This is simply done because the agency created for people to develop a business here to create businesses that will pay taxes. Every effort is made to these taxes have been paid to what.
Tell me, what are the limits of the authorized capital of Finland?.
2.5 thousand euros - is the minimum that was due to the expense of our organization ( Russian-style is a company ). In this case, I do not know the exact amount, but somewhere in the order, if not mistaken, 250-300 euros - it will be costs associated with Accessories - T. e. it is opening an account, it is a registration fee, etc. Dr.. But, as it were, the money is lifting, t. e. real in 1000 euros you can do.
It is possible that other types of companies out there any other restrictions, or, conversely, it is easier... but it's all in the local business development agencies will tell, show, explain what is best and under what conditions.
Rossiyaninu own to open a business in Finland - alone, without partners, Finns, real or not?.
Well, that's a good example - a murmanchanin on efficiency in Murmansk in 2009 represented the project. Unfortunately, the project did not become a winner (by the standards of Murmansk this project did not deserve even the funding of 200 thousand rubles). At the same time here in Finland has been prepared a business plan, and again, business development agency has helped him do it, and on Friday it was decided that his company provides a place in the business incubator.
Another important issue - taxes?.
So really the main tax - it ALV, as far as I can see. Well, that's our type of VAT. It is 22 % of the profits from him, as it were, can not escape. But at the same time - all this say - what an absolutely different approach to the determination of costs: in Russia and the list is limited to the tax have to defend - that you had the right to sit on spending a particular amount, everything is much simpler . Yes, t. e. there personally afford to buy any gold jewelry you can not, but if you went with potential partners in a restaurant, then a check from the restaurant you're comfortable with spending. What concerns taxes from wages - they are quite high, although the background of Russia, in general, rather humanely because. Well, let's say, taxes are about the same order as m. e. it is about half the money that the employee receives at the hands clean, but quite a common practice that if you are the owner of the company, you do not work in it, and put her account as a private entrepreneur ( it would not hurt to do in Russia ). Here, here, look at it much easier in the sense that the Russian tax authorities will be immediately behind this attempt to uglyadet any scheme, there is a normal practice, the only thing that is not recommended bill, and if you are a business owner and sole . And if you have multiple clients, then no problem at all, and, accordingly, it turns out that you're an entrepreneur you pay the same 22% of the difference between revenues and expenditures. Costs can be virtually all. That is something like.
The next question would be interesting, I decided it did ask for the results of one of our conversation with you - well, a very interesting story that you told me. In general, there is such a way about Russia, about the business 90 years that Russian businessmen are negotiating, as a rule in the sauna, there is a vodka, a girl, and m. Dr.. Here are some features of the Finnish negotiating on your examples, there are interesting?.
Feature is that the negotiations are completed in the sauna. important negotiations. But this is very different then, as it happens - well, at least, those negotiations, in which I participated, and the level was very different, ranging from such well, rather ordinary business, ending the heads of very large companies.
Typically, negotiations began in the restaurant, t. e. rather, such a formal setting... well, in what sense that the dress code is a no - it does not mean that you should be sure to come in a tuxedo, but nevertheless there is a jacket is recommended that was, or at least some sweater and . Dr.. Accordingly, the restaurant - it is a strict manner, and the negotiations begin, too, because - well, I can not say that in the clamped - but, nevertheless, a rather procedural, procedural, ceremonial manner. But after this it 's part of the restaurant is over, you move into the sauna people just take off the shelves full formal dress, drink alcohol, but used, as it were, to such an extent that they do not interfere with the negotiations entirely, t. e. People save humanity, control, etc. Dr.. to see how they behave, but feel very liberated. And after that, a crowd of naked men, some of which met with each other for a few hours ago, continues to talk of life, discuss business, and t. Dr.. After that, again, they dress in formal dress, and, of course, are leaving their homes. After Russia, quite unusual, because yes, the negotiations in the bath - is a red image of the directors, and is usually carried out with a fairly close circle of friends, partners, and as a rule, there does not discuss business issues, and issues a rollback, and some . e. not correct from my point of view of things. It is normal to talk in the sauna for business.
As the Finns belong to Russia as a potential business site? .
I can say that it is very interested in Russia, just very much! . And the Finns, of course, very much like to join this around, but it is a typical Finnish business - this is a very small companies, in particular, is a family company, just a few people... there is one, two, three, five. And, accordingly, to them... they think they are too small to work in Russia, because the idea of a typical Russian business - is Gazprom, the Shtokman field, Rosneft, and m. Dr.. T. e. very large companies all state-owned companies and are not to be afraid of Russia, they prostoboyatsya ignorance and uncertainty. This is about how when a child comes into the dark staircase, he does not know what is there and he, like, afraid to go there, but not because he knows that there are terrible, but because he does not know that it there . That's why the Finns - a general my impression - there is a very strong desire to work in Russia, but it is very much caution, because they do not know how it is.
It is clear. Well, especially when you consider the fact that our government did not seek as much as possible to simplify the business and help new businesses, then, respectively, all of this, and it follows - the lack of information.
Example yesterday. Just to have been impressed - that's almost in Oulu, where you would not come in English, the information one way or another, there is. Moreover, there exists in the administration of a special person who is. internationalisation and marketing coordinator. and m. e. a person who is committed to coming here, ... And this is all his work. And there are some sites specifically for people who come here, where it is written step by step what to do before arrival, when he arrived as an apartment lease, which it contracts to sign and t. Dr.. T. e. everything. There are almost a monthly event for newcomers - there are going to representatives of various public services, which are somehow related to every kind of support. And in general, everything is done to ensure that people feel comfortable. And in Russia, yesterday I had to get the English PIT -2, a form of declaration and the declaration of uproschenke. I searched through the entire Internet, I. forum mbnews. hung up the issue and, in general, 2-PIT to muddle through, we found the declaration of uposchenke was never found, t. e. will have to translate into English. Here in Finland it is simply unrealistic situation because any information that you need - it is available in English. Accordingly, how can you say that Russia is interested in foreign investment after that - I do not understand. Because it was obvious that she is not interested.
Let's go straight to your business in Finland. What is its scope, and why you think it will be in demand at the moment?.
The scope we set for ourselves at the moment we see in this way - it's cross-border cooperation. Based on what I've said this before now... the Finns for decades there is a desire to work productively with Russia, but there is no understanding of how to do it. And it so happened that in our company from both sides gathered people and resources that can help develop business in Russia, Finland, t. e. make cross-border business easily, comfortably and successfully. This is the first course of action, now that is what we are promoting. For example, the European Union and Finland funded projects, many of which are measured, often millions of euros, at least hundreds of thousands of euros, and all of these projects focus on cross-border cooperation, to promote business ties with each other, I mean the relations of the Finnish and Russian business. The results of these projects a zero... or there... it even impossible to measure interest... which is a fraction of a percent efficiency. Accordingly, we are doing now that are preparing the ground for the realization of truly successful contacts between Finland and Russia, and, indeed, expect that our efforts will be funded, including through the design of money the EU and Finland. This is the first most important thing is that now we can do and can talk with the official responsibility - we can do useful projects for our two countries. Plus, now at the stage start - I hope that very soon will be launched - an IT-project, it will also be primarily international and will be run simultaneously in Russia and Scandinavia, and, moreover, is likely to be Germany . It will be a clean business, t. e. there is no project funding and the money will generate customers of the business. Plus, we have the media resources and there is good communication line with the local media, it is very likely that over time will be a media project, well, at least we are there now to prepare for this.
Media project on the internet or something of the traditional media?.
Well, the internet - it's clear, yes, because it is now the only media in which to invest is. But, nevertheless, a very well developed in Finland, the print media - this is the first thing that catches your eye when you come here. So it is quite possible that this will result, including, in a print edition, but it is difficult to say. The first is, of course, will be online, because it is the most effective way to invest.
Well, if you're still you want to do air traffic, then you will have something like «Virgin- 2... :-).
At the expense of air travel, we are also currently negotiating because there is some interesting topics and will try to develop them as. :-).
About the scope of the talk. We will prepare for the overthrow of the pedestal by Richard Branson. :-). And what about the office?.
We have three offices. One of them - our Murmansk office headquarters is based in. Simo (Simo), and yet we have a project office in Oulu, t. e. we have the opportunity to use the conference rooms, there is negotiation, etc. Dr.. We have organized offices in three key areas in which we operate.
Offices expensive? .
No, not home, but it turns out that we still pay for them is not necessary. And the headquarters we have in the property, t. e. is a small cottage or hotel, you can call him on the shore of the Gulf of Bothnia in Simo and in fact, that's headquartered in a restaurant - there is a separate room in which we hold meetings with clients. But since it's all in the property, it does not have to pay. In Oulu and Murmansk, we use the offices, which are used for other businesses, so too there is no need to pay for them.
What do you think the minimum set required to start a business in Finland? .
The first and only - the real idea of. That's it! . At the same time with higher education in the field of marketing (for example ), you have many things to which would be reached on their own experience there for ten years, you're out there, just get a day. That's just as well with the Finnish partner - m. e. in principle, to just be yourself and you can get a company to do yourself, but with a Finnish partner is easier to maintain.
Have you ever speak with the Finns on the global crisis - what they think about this, Finland has affected it?.
That's still - still can not find a single person who saw the crisis. T. e. Perhaps somewhere there ...
From these statements, we can conclude that those who are afraid of the crisis - have to go to Finland?.
Here he is, too, as if there are m. a - a global phenomenon, but not a crisis and the recession. The recession is real processes have slowed down, really, let's analytical business underpaid tens of percent of customers out there, I mean, in Finland in those regions that have traditionally live off tourism. T. e. these are real phenomena and complexity, but it 's absolutely relevant to all those with whom I spoke, it is - well, yes, it's a business, t. e. There are ups and there are downs, t. e. now is the time - when everything is falling, but that does not mean that it is something terrible. And I just now when I go through the streets of Oulu, I see that everywhere there are cranes, the construction of the population employed and working.
And the last question for today. Your parting words to those who are planning, thinking about starting a business in Finland, or move to another country?.
It should be a person who is accustomed to earning the money needed, and not to receive ( the entrepreneur ). At the same time this person may be there all my life mercenary work, but it still felt within himself an entrepreneur. So, if there is a feeling inside, but the feeling is not so, you know, that here I do consider myself an entrepreneur, and this type, then the way it is, and if it really is in the vein of such person, and if the person . e. language and business in, there is no difficulty there, and you can safely go to open a business in Finland.
Well, I think also the idea....
This is key! . Although the lack of English to communicate.
Thanks for the interview! . And after a while, I hope we will continue to.
Ok. while.
P. S. : You can ask their questions to Igor in the comments on this post tons. to. to cover anything and everything at once is difficult, and he will try to answer you as quickly as possible. And as. see other photos from the collections of Oulu. ________________________________________. Do you like this post, tell your friends and acquaintances in:.
