“Your Career Advisor” is responding this week to:

• Should I accept this job offer in Dubai? (e)
• How can I split responsibilities with my partner? (g)
• What skills should I have to start my own business? (d)

All reasonable questions related to careers, skill development or employment related issues – sent to advisor@skill-link.com - would be addressed in this section every week.

Q1: Should I accept this job offer in Dubai?

I am a recent mechanical engineering graduate from the American University in Cairo (February 2003). I am currently working in a factory as a "Mechanical Maintenance Engineer" earning a salary that ranges between L.E. 1300 - 1500 per month (in Egypt). While I have been in this job for almost a month, I have another offer for employment in Dubai as a "BaaN Process Systems Trainee" responsible to the BaaN Re-Configuration Manager"

The job in Dubai is more interesting to me and I heard that Dubai would be a great exposure for an engineer because of the better technology they use. The salary in Dubai would be USD 1000 (Basic salary) and USD 1400 (allowances). So, would this be a good salary, taking into consideration that I live here with my family and there's transportation to the factory, but in Dubai I will have to rent a flat and pay for transportation, electricity.... etc.!

If your answer is YES, GO FOR DUBAI... Then I'd like to ask about something else!

1- The employer told me that they need me in Dubai as soon as possible, so they would send me a VISIT VISA, and when I get there, they will get me a WORK VISA... so is this OK??!!

2- Should the visa and the contract be legalized from the Egyptian embassy in UAE or the Ministry of Manpower in Egypt, or not? Because as far as I understand the employer has not done any of this!

And I only have a letter for employment from the company in Dubai!

Lastly, I would appreciate any other advice !

M. B. (Cairo)

Replying:

Dear Mr. B.

At this stage of your professional life, when you are just starting, building your CV and living unencumbered with a family (wife and kids), your main focus should be on the type and quality of experience you are getting. Hence, what is it you are working on and what are you learning. Also, the corporate environment in which you belong is of importance, in other words a large, advanced corporate entity with sound practices and elaborate management is more beneficial to you then a small or regular set up, with little added value. As you will notice salary takes a second or even third priority.

In your message, you did not elaborate on the company you are currently employed with (the environment, the people etc….) also you did not let us know if your current duties and responsibilities will allow you to learn and develop your skills… we assume they would. Similarly, you did not elaborate on the Dubai offer, other than the salary. Who is the employer ? is it a reputable company with good management and good learning opportunities on offer ? It would help if you know one or more people already working there ? Also, how did you get the offer ? did you only meet one company representative ? do you know enough about the company to be able to objectively make such a decision ?

All other things being equal, working on BAAN and getting process experience should provide you with skills that are not as common as maintenance engineers. Hence over the years, would probably be of more value to your career if you excel at what you are doing.

So unless the non salary issues we mentioned above are very much in favor of the Dubai offer, you should not be considering it. And if you reach a conclusion that it seems more positive … how much do you know about this potential employer (company) ? Unless you have first hand information from people you trust there….. we would suggest you invest time and money in a short trip (even 48 hours) to Dubai to meet your potential boss, get a feel for the company and some of the people you may be working with. This is very important… if you decide to join, then you would have just invested a one month salary of your forthcoming job. And if you decide it is not for you, then you saved yourself a lot of pain and agony. Trust us on this… it is worth the investment.

As to your other questions, we believe the salary is reasonable for an entry level position for a new graduate like yourself, assuming you will be able to get raises as you become more experienced and prove yourself. Salaries in Dubai are tax free and you might find someone you choose to share a flat with.

Starting with an employment permit/visa is definitely better, however we know of many cases where new staff go on a visit visa to the UAE and a few weeks later get their employment permit. Again, the more credible / reputable the company is, the safer you will be.

Having the job offer or contract legalized / stamped by the Egyptian consulate in Dubai would not really add any value. What are you going to do, if things do not turn our to be as promised ? sue them ? …. The real "safety" lies in the credibility of the employer and you having done your homework to know as much as possible about the company, your manager and the exact working conditions. Other wise, even if you have ten stamps, seals and signatures on your contract and you do not like the place, there is nothing you can do about it.

We hope the above was of some use to you.
Good Luck

Q2: How can I split responsibilities with my partner?

I have set up a company with a friend of mine (50/50 share split) and now we have to put a structure in place that would be acceptable as a limited company. It is proving very difficult task as neither wants to be reporting to other. Could you please help!

Can a company have both chief executive officer and managing director?

Who would you structure a company that has two partner owning 50:50 shares that both would have joint responsibility, neither will be seen as more senior and both will have to be involved in final decisions?

Mohammed (London)

Replying:

Dear Mr. Mohammed

When a business is owned by two people who both have equal shares and rights, it is always tricky. Regardless of titles and position names, there are two equal decision makers. This is not unheard of, there are co Managing Directors, or a Chairman and a Managing Director… this is not the issue. What you have to worry about is how to minimize potential conflict in the future. Some ways to avoid that are presented below:

• At the start agree on a number of issues and decisions (critical ones) for which any of the partners could have veto power (in other words you need to both agree on).
• Split the functions of the company, whereby each of you have primary responsibility over a number of areas. For example, one would be primarily responsible for finance, procurement, suppliers, administration and the other marketing and sales. Or if it has some manufacturing elements (or operations) this could be another way to split.
• Find a third trusted person (either a partner) or just a competent professional and have him sit on the board (or executive management committee) of the company. In this case, some decisions will have to be voted on a board of committee levels where others will remain on the operational level. In this case, titles will not be important, one could be Chairman looking after certain functions while the other Managing Director overseeing others. They will be both governed by the budgets, policies and key decisions approved on a majority basis (ie. 2 votes in this case) of the board of executive committee.

In any case it is tricky, it will really depend on the chemistry between both individuals and how well you get along together on a personal basis. In a way it is similar to a marriage, where each party has to respect the other, not insist on each and every point and let go sometimes. Otherwise you reach a divorce.

We hope the above was of some use to you.
Good Luck

Q3: What skills should I have to start my own business?

I am a computer professional who graduated from high school in 1996 and obtained a computer diploma from the New Horizon institute in Kuwait. I have been working as an NT system administrator in one of the large ISPs (internet service providers) in Kuwait since 2001. I am also Microsoft certified (MCSE microsoft certified system engineer). My dream is to become business owner in the computer field. What skills should I develop to shift from employee to employer .

I also work in many companies as a computer technician .

A. A. (Kuwait)

Replying:

Dear Mr. A.

It is good to have a vision and know what you would like to do. In your case it is to become a business owner.

Self employment and owning your own business is not an easy task, it has inherent risks and requires more work (on numerous fronts) and strong nerves and stamina. In your case, as you stated, it will be obviously in the IT field, whether it is in supplying PCs and networking solutions, installation, maintenance or support. You are progressing in acquiring technical experience. What you will need to develop is the most critical of all skills, the life blood of any business (small or large), and that is "Marketing and Sales" or in other words "Business Development". You must be able to identify what is it you can offer to clients (product/solution, pricing, delivery mode, target market segment)…ie. Marketing. You must also be able to convince people to buy your products and require your services... ie. sales !

Of second importance, you must have some orientation in finance and accounting. You are not expected to be an expert financial analyst or an experience accountant, but you need to be reasonably able to develop a budget for your business and monitor how you are performing. You have to closely watch your cash flow, which makes or breaks businesses. Similarly understand and negotiate payment terms with suppliers and clients.

The above skills are important, you will definitely develop them over the years. But on the other hand, you hate to sell or you cannot see yourself worrying about budgets, financial issues and cash flow… then starting a small business may not be the right thing for you.

We hope the above was of some use to you.
Good Luck

Note from the editor: 
Employer names and inquiry sender names were withheld for confidentiality

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