Historical geopolitical event, the end of the imposed sanctions against Tehran foreshadows a rapid recovery for commercial activity with Iran.
Indeed, the upcoming removal of the Iranian embargo leads many companies to consider – or to actively prepare – their return or implantation in this country that has been deserted for these last few years, but in which there are many business opportunities. And, highlight of the end of 2015, executive search firms are also solicited and mobilized to accompany the development of their clients in this region.
Indeed, on the sidelines of the Davos Forum, the statement of Antoine Frérot, CEO of Veolia, has not gone unnoticed: ” There are interesting things to do in Iran.” While on a strictly legal level several obstacles still exist, many managers and business leaders anticipate this impending decision.
But how to set up, build infrastructures, create a network of partners and develop customers in a country that has been isolated for a dozen years? And above all, how to search, identify and assess future collaborators in a country whose culture and social codes are so different from ours?
ARROWMAN Key Insight
Alexis BRODSKY draws your attention to the following points:
Looking for candidates to develop and manage a business in Iran is complex because executives and top executives who know this country are scarce, and even more so those who are willing to be expatriated.
In this context, giving priority to bicultural profiles (French-Iranian, Anglo-Iranian, Iranian-American…) is a key success factor:
? on one hand, many Iranian expatriates (often trained in Europe or in the USA) now want to move (or to comeback) to Iran;
? on the other hand, due to their knowledge of Farsi language, national business habits & customs and local decision making processes, their added value is significant, especially when it comes to interfacing with companies headquartered in Europe or the US.
This often makes the difference when selecting a candidate; technical or sectorial skills can be addressed later.
Alexis BRODSKY, Associate Director of ARROWMAN Executive Search, Expert in charge of Industry and International.
