On January 8–9, 2026, a two-day training program entitled “Effective Engagement with Russian Partners: Culture, Communication, and Support” was successfully organized in Beijing. The event was hosted by NOWA and Polar Mining, with the training delivered by intercultural communication expert Victoria Khu. The training aimed to systematically develop the “soft skills” of company employees and partners required for effective cooperation in Russian-speaking markets. A total of 30 representatives from the company and its affiliated organizations took part in the program. The training received strong engagement from participants and demonstrated high practical effectiveness.
The program was designed with close attention to the real operational needs of cooperation with Russia in the mining sector and combined theoretical foundations with practical scenario-based simulations. Within an intensive 12-hour schedule, participants covered a comprehensive range of topics, including historical and cultural backgrounds, business etiquette, negotiation practices, and applied communication strategies. Special emphasis was placed on interactive modules such as table etiquette, small talks, dancing as a social interaction tool, etc., which enabled deeper immersion into the cultural context and facilitated active participant engagement.
As a result of the training, participants:
- developed a structured understanding of political and cultural characteristics, business logic, and professional behavioral norms in Russia and Central Asia;
- acquired practical tools for negotiation preparation, including ready-to-use speech patterns, business correspondence templates, and communication frameworks applicable to joint projects;
- enhanced their confidence in intercultural communication and overcame common concerns associated with engaging with partners from Russian-speaking regions through intensive interaction and role-playing exercises.In their feedback, participants highly praised the trainer’s authentic understanding of the Russian mindset.
In their feedback, participants highly praised the trainer’s authentic understanding of the Russian mindset, which was conveyed through her strong intercultural background and extensive practical experience. The course content was described as highly relevant and effective in clarifying previously ambiguous or challenging aspects of cross-cultural professional interaction.
The successful implementation of this specialized training marked an important step for Polar Mining in strengthening international talent development, enhancing the team’s soft-skill capacity, and establishing a unified communication strategy to improve overall operational effectiveness in cooperation with Russian partners.
