Small business is the best training ground for employees. But remember you are not a charity until your business can afford it.

If you have ‘charity’ in-bred as part of your family history, remember it is better to sponsor a particularly smart orphan. Orphanages and charities are easier to find, whichever your country of origin; much easier to find than reliable employees in Dubai.

As a small business owner you tend to employ those you think have the most potential but have not had the opportunity to prove their capabilities. You are big-hearted because that is they way you came up in life. You think those you employ will appreciate the training and one-to-one crash course you provide and, stay with you for at least a reasonable period of time, like 12 months, without causing irreparable harm to your company. You also think it is your calling in life to impart knowledge to those you pick up along the way.

Think! Think again! Use your experience! If you are employing, do not put emotions before the fact that you have a budget, and that you need a reasonably experienced person who will not need to rely on you, beyond reasonable need, to learn the ropes.

Let me give you an example. I advertised for a senior account manager position in my advertising agency, with above the industry-standard remuneration in mind. Anyone worth the position will check my company’s background. In a small place like Dubai, they will find many to offer opinions. Opinions abound. Expatriates fall over each other to offer their opinions. Opinions from colleagues in large agencies where I have previously worked, opinions from the powerful media with whom my agency has dealings, worse still, my advertising agency’s previously well-trained employees and partners working in the top agencies in town...

One particular chap from the logistics industry who replied to the ad I placed, came to see me after I had whetted him on the phone a number of times. I knew he was not material that would be of use to me immediately without several months training. He knew that too, since he was briefed in detail by my business and industry acquaintances who sent him to me (they think I do not know, until this day).

I grilled him at the first meeting, for a change. He soon told me he was at the interview because he was told by ‘reliable sources’ that my advertising agency was the best first step to move ahead in the advertising business. “Within three months you will know all you need to know to succeed in the advertising business in Dubai,” they told him. He confessed that to me, so I employed him. Even with that heart-to-heart, he resigned in one month because he was planted in my agency and, more importantly, he knew I knew.

More juicy revelations to follow…