@Conifer, Discernment is really important and is reliable in judging character. I will try my best to explain my perspective in my own imperfection. I have found since i do not speak Spanish it actually helps/forces me to focus much more on body language and other clues and cues!聽
I love the truly happy and calm more conservative local DR raised people that have that "certain beautiful shiny bright eyes when engaged" and further evidence is that when i see these same individuals the next time even if it is a year later they recognize me right away and act exactly the same genuine way and with respect!
On the other hand the OTHER TYPE usually have a darker look/a sharp glint) in their eyes when i try to engage with them and tend to be less conservative and they tend to be shifty, talk fast and be hyper and most often they are more into the bling and the gangster culture/clothes and styles and are hyper phone viewer/users. Hyperness right up front is my #1 signal to be extremely careful!聽 combined with whining and or complaining is a deadgiveaway of a potentially bad experience and also is what I have heard from my associates in the DR.
It is also much better if you get a referral from a trusted associate or a local perhaps even unknown expat in business or MOST SUCESSFULLY to find someone yourself you may want to hire or associate with...than IF聽 they find you! Dealing with laziness or entitlement, you as the boss simply have to ensure that you are in control and NOT them and it has to STAY that way!聽 Calmly and Firmly and methodically show THEM what you want AND show them EXACTLY how you want it done. You must hire people that respect you foremost and the business. Hire those that will promote you and your business and NOT themselves. It is better to hire a loner than one "who travels with friends"聽 Plan to hire more staff than you need and promote from within and weed out the bad apples swiftly out of strength and as an example to others. Reward the best performers and penalize the worst. If you have a substantial staff or do not speak good Spanish with no certain good leaders in your group hire a "manager" from outside of your employee's circles to up the level of your business. I do not really like the idea of stealing someone best employees/managers but switching out a good employee with someone elses (by agreement and by plan) sometimes works wonders.
Observe carefully and learn from only the top 10% of the capitalist employer's re ; employees - employer relationships/dynamics.聽 Ignore all the ones that are only having fun and partying.
It sounds like you know exactly what you need but you definitely have to seek and find the good people. Venture out and look for people to hire in the local villages and closeby farm areas and NOT the trendy or tourist areas or the bars and restaurants. Cultures, values and expectations are a big deal but because you sound like a boss and are the boss and you sound like someone that has a good pulse on some of the real problems....i trust you will handle YOUR business well.
I hate to admit it but when i was in business publicly I had to be a better boss than others (lead by example - worked my ass off in front of my employees especially) and I definitely had to work harder than others to find real good employees. (and i eventually did) and in the end it worked it well for ALL!
Do not give up!聽 real good capitalist Expats are drastically needed in the DR more than ever, but you have to supply a demand and or fill a need聽 AND work real hard and find locals who will respect you and then all you have to do is hire them and be the boss and keep it that way. If this does not happen enmass,聽 SOCIALISM WILL TAKE OVER the DR聽 just like it did in Venezuela. The brutal evil of socialism is a real threat to the DR> and It all depends on which way the young and early middle age people go by majority in the next few years. More than ever there are plenty of wannabe dictators being groomed by social engineering, which up until a few years was not prominent in the DR> From a cautionary perspective notwithstanding all of the above, If it looks like the "hyper" gangsta crap that has infected all Canadian and USA big cities, takes over the local teenagers and the local young married people in the DR by majority I would actually make an exit plan.
Gain Wisdom from Others -do not learn the hard way (it is usually very painful AND expensive) Seek the Truth and It will make you FREE!聽 I love Life and i wish you and your business and employees all the best!
