No rush in Russia

McDonald’s is redesigning the interior and exterior of its stores worldwide.

I was asked if I would accept a two-year secondment to lead a remodelling programme for Russia’s 150 restaurants.

My role is to train the project management team and build a strong contractor and supplier base.

The British Embassy was very helpful supplying lists. Time Construction Consultancy and White Young Green International are both on board.

We have two main offices in Russia.

The head office is in Moscow, where I’m based, with another in St Petersburg. Head office has 14 staff in the construction department looking after new build, with another seven in the remodelling department.

There’s a lot of bureaucracy.

The most trivial of contracts require a number of signatories and Planning and Building Control approval can take 12 months to obtain (in the UK eight weeks is normal and sometimes not actually required). D&B flourishes but the client exercises very little control over the process and accepts what he’s offered at the end.

Contractors and suppliers require a pre-payment to obtain building materials as they are unable to secure supplier accounts. Most materials are imported, involving transportation and customs, which add at least 30% to the cost.

Contractors and clients require good logistic skills

To ensure materials arrive in sufficient quantities to avoid transport costs, avoid customs charges on excess materials and to ensure timely arrival to avoid storage charges.

Safe working guidelines are similar to the UK in the 1960s.

Pass a high-rise building in Moscow and you’ll see workers 20 storeys up operating with no edge protection. A safe working platform consists of whatever is to hand.

I’ve already encountered difficulties within the industry.

There’s a lack of motivation a hangover from the communist era and a lack of project management skills.

Electricity supplies are always stretched.

And the weather window for groundwork is May to October. If it’s not done within that period you lose seven months!

The main difference between UK and Russian McDonald’s is the envelope.

The standard wall thickness here is 400mm and is much more heavily insulated. All windows are double glazed, there is always a heated entrance porch with a floor drain (to deal with snow off boots). Even roof drainage has trace heating so it doesn’t block with ice.

I’ve learnt not to ask questions that allow a yes/no reply.

You have to peel away the layers with a series of questions to obtain the exact answer you want.

I’m learning Russian.

After nine months I’ve mastered just enough for basic enquiries. At work I get by with a mixture of Russian/English/hand signals and good old sketches! However, the teams here are very cosmopolitan.

My favourite burger?

Quarter pounder with cheese.