Use of Esoteric Tools in Russian SMB Decision Making: Survey Insights
Among owners and managers of small and medium enterprises in Russia, about a quarter see esoteric tools as at least somewhat useful when guiding business choices. This finding comes from IFORS Research and is discussed in coverage by Kommersant.
Roughly one in three respondents has used such tools at least once, while only a small minority, six percent, express disappointment with the methods. A sizable portion—roughly one in four—anticipates continuing to use esoteric approaches throughout the year to try to lift profits and boost sales.
The IFORS Research survey reached about 1,000 SMB leaders. Esoteric practices are reported as a common element in entrepreneurial activity. About six percent of participants describe these tools as useful in decision making, twenty four percent reported them as partially useful, and around seventy percent view them as either partially or completely unhelpful.
Gender differences emerged in perceived usefulness. Women showed a higher rate of positive responses, with nine percent rating esoteric tools as useful. Men and women were otherwise similar in believing these methods could be quite useful, with around a quarter of respondents in both groups expressing confidence in their value. The data suggests that groups more inclined toward esoteric practices tend to apply them more consistently in daily operations.
Earlier industry analyses, including a MoySklad cloud service study, noted a notable uptick in turnover for Russia’s SMB sector. In the first half of 2023, turnover rose by nineteen percent compared with January through June of the previous year, signaling growth momentum amid evolving business strategies.
In related commentary, remarks attributed to Prime Minister Mishustin call for cautious optimism and a reminder not to overstate the potential gains from unconventional methods.
These findings illuminate how widely varied attitudes toward alternative decision aids are among Russian business leaders. While some see measurable benefits, others remain skeptical or indifferent. The ongoing discussion underscores the importance of balancing traditional management practices with innovative tools, ensuring that any esoteric approaches are evaluated against clear metrics and concrete outcomes. [IFORS Research, 2023] [Kommersant coverage] [MoySklad study]