[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Hi Python Enthusiasts, > > I am hoping one or two members of this list might help me locate in Europe > to begin a small team of developers with a focus on python for the central > part of the server development. > > My personal first choice is Spain only because I like it, and will > eventually have Spanish as a second language, but I am very concerned about > finding people, especially considering costs. > > I have worked virtually with three people from Ukraine and Russia, and a > chap living in Germany all who appear to be talented and others have told me > about other countries such as Poland. > > The point is that I can't really afford to run around and experiment, so I > was hoping for some helpful comments or suggestions on how to research, or > where to look, or how to recruit. > > If this has already been a topic of the list, I would appreciate any > pointers. > > Thanks, Jerry >
Hello Jerry, Moving to another country can be a daunting task, I moved from Germany to the Netherlands and looking forward to move to the UK. Friends of mine have moved to Greece and Spain, by this heard some of their troubles along the way. First things first, you need to be sure that your motivation for moving is absolutely unquestionable (for yourself that is). If you move for the warm climate, consider buying a better coat :-) Joking aside, of course you are a bit adventurous, otherwise you wouldn't think about it and of course you want to be well prepared, otherwise you wouldn't have asked :-) Personally I think that wherever you go in the world you will be surprised how many qualified people live there, the only problem is that you have to meet them. Another problem is that you might not notice talented people because they have no experience in your area but are willing to get it. Saying it short, you won't have trouble finding qualified personnel when you are prepared to reward them well and/or train them for the purpose of your business. Personally I always prefer (self) motivating personnel that are curious and smart. They might be not valuable instantly because they still have to figure out the tools but usually they are more the kind of people I like. I am well aware that the people I hire will grow in their specialty and eventually go on to better things, that is unfortunate but it is just the way things go. Never try to restrict people when they want to leave, give them a warm goodbye party and help them in their transition as much as you can. Not only is that good for the employee that left but it helps with the atmosphere among the remaining people and it gives me a good feeling. One of the biggest problems when settling in another country for business purposes is the language, speak/read the language well enough before you leave your home country. Second problem is culture, I am quite strict on my business communications and agreements. That means I will get totally frustrated in countries like Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal and the lower parts of France. I don't say I am right and they are wrong, the perception on how to do _any_ business is different and I can't adopt to theirs (so it is my problem and not theirs). Third problem is regulations, thanks to the EU besides of the normal (lack of) regulations you have a ton more of them. The only thing that is in common for all of Europe is that it doesn't matter where you are or where you from, in a business dispute the local will be favored above the foreigner. In countries like I already mentioned and especially the sparse populated area's this can go into extremes. Fourth problem is integration, even if you integrate it doesn't mean that locals will except you as a local. Sometimes the best you can get is that you are accepted but never be one of their own. Usually that does not rise to the surface but especially in disagreements you might find it illogical how some decisions are made, even if you get children that are born their, they still might be confronted with that. So to wrap it up: Speak the language before you arrive Learn the cultural difference before you arrive Embrace the new culture and be an active part of it Be aware that you will always be a foreigner If you do that, hiring good people will be no problem, that if you are not looking for PhD's in a very limited and specialized field that takes ages to master. -- mph -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list