Manager's Characteristics and Development. Bernanrd Lukey

Bernard Lukey was CEO of internet shop OZON.ru since 2005 to 2011. In contrast with other foreign managers in Russia Bernard Lukey came to Russia because of interest and admire Russian people and culture. This experienced manager really has ideas to bring into Russian business. This is what he says:

"I was born and raised in Montreux - Switzerland. From this small town - which benefits from a worldwide reputation for international congresses and Festivals, I got a taste for international challenges and projects of a wider scope. This brought me to Russia since 1996, where I worked successively as a Marketing Director for Nestle Food LLC, VP Marketing for ru-Net Holdings (acting as Marketing Director of different portefolio companies, amongst which Yandex.ru - Russia's largest internet portal and search engine). Later I spend 3 years in NESPRESSO SA, a new, innovative Nestle Venture based on a direct customer relationship approach "

1. What are the main achievements of the manager?

In spring 2002 Lukey started work in marketing sphere in Yandex and then in Ozon. It approves the fact that he is the real professional in virtual commerce. Russian internet, virtual commerce and services have developed significantly recent years. Turnover of the Russian internet-shop Ozon.ru in the first half of 2007 amounted to $ 24.5 million, which is two times higher compared to the same period in 2006, however, experts believe that, despite high growth rates and turnover, leadership Ozon.ru in the Russian market of online retailing is not obvious, because there is a lot of small and middle scale competitors whose revenues grow too.

2. Which skills make the particular manager successful? Why?

Flexibility. Despite his interest to Russia he had to change himself, to put up with Russian mentality and habits in order to understand his employees and customers’ intentions.

Dedication. He has his own espresso-machine near his desk “for midnight work”, as he says. Moreover he...