First of all I've got a list of qualifications that include experience, education, and have expanded on those 2 areas that I break down even further when hiring a manager, but in all honesty I would like more feedback or ideas from you guys just incase I forgot something on my list. Look forward to your reply on this issue

Keep in note

a. all the employee's are thai

b. the business has 35 employee's

c. business is in the tourism industry

d. business is located in phuket

to be fair... education is not that big of a deal when it comes to hospitality and the tourism industry. You either can, or can not. The most important criteria you should be looking for is experience followed by personality. The industry is full of diverse people that all have to be handled in different ways. The manager you hire needs to be likable. Your staff should want to work for the manager, and not be dictated by the manager. Due to the nature of the business, a happy employee translates well to money you earn. An employee that enjoys their job brings the great reviews, creates the word of mouth, is a walking advertisement for your business. This can only be created by a manager that people want to work for.

I have seen so many restaurants fail because the manager may have all the qualifications in the world, but has no hands on experience. If they haven't worked in the industry from ground level up, then how can they manage the different people in the different positions.

Don't make a quick decision and never make the decision by yourself, get the potential manager to meet some staff, see the reactions on your staffs faces.

Your manager needs to be able to lead by example, be a promoter, be able to market your brand, and understand every part of the tourism industry.

If I had 2 candidates, one with education, one that has been in the industry his/her whole working life, I know which one I would choose

to be fair... education is not that big of a deal when it comes to hospitality and the tourism industry. You either can, or can not. The most important criteria you should be looking for is experience followed by personality. The industry is full of diverse people that all have to be handled in different ways. The manager you hire needs to be likable. Your staff should want to work for the manager, and not be dictated by the manager. Due to the nature of the business, a happy employee translates well to money you earn. An employee that enjoys their job brings the great reviews, creates the word of mouth, is a walking advertisement for your business. This can only be created by a manager that people want to work for.

I have seen so many restaurants fail because the manager may have all the qualifications in the world, but has no hands on experience. If they haven't worked in the industry from ground level up, then how can they manage the different people in the different positions.

Don't make a quick decision and never make the decision by yourself, get the potential manager to meet some staff, see the reactions on your staffs faces.

Your manager needs to be able to lead by example, be a promoter, be able to market your brand, and understand every part of the tourism industry.

If I had 2 candidates, one with education, one that has been in the industry his/her whole working life, I know which one I would choose

Should treat the staff well and gain their respect, will reap many reawrds...good contacts and marketing experience, language skills...

If all the employees are Thai and you are working in the tourism industry then I think there may be other issues than just hiring management.

At least one Manager/Director should be a foreigner and one should be Thai.

The Thai should:

Have direct experience in management in the tourism industry in Phuket with a company that works with a similar clientele as that of your company.

Be able to answer questions based upon hypothetical situations. (Shows critical thinking ability)

Have experience working in HR and a clear understanding of Thai labor law.

Be fluent in at least Thai and English (and if you have a specific customer base he/she should be conversational in that language as well.)

Be customer-service motivated first and money motivated second ... other considerations should come after those 2.

Have ideas about how to market to your company's target market, personal contacts are a plus.

I have found hiring someone smarter than you makes your job a heck of a lot easier--takes courage and confidence to do it though....

Lefty