I totally understand your challenges. I'm building 4 units (two story) in Malawi while living in the diaspora and I initially experienced similar challenges. I would say please hire a Project Manager instead of relying on relatives (which is your own advise from past videos). Tell the PM to go around chasing for quotes from suppliers and service providers and then you would make a decision on which ones. This would alleviate your stress. The reality is you're not on the ground and you just need committed people in Zim who can run the project for you. If the PM doesn't do their job well, you can part ways. Btw thanks for all your videos and all the best :)
It is not just Zim, a woman doing this kind of work is just challenging. Tips, get a male on sight project manager! Pay them to be your eyes and ears. If you must fire someone just give them your expectations and a time line. If they don't do it let them go!
Hey Sis, after watching the frustration of many family members building from the diaspora, getting scammed and or poor workmanship , guys not finishing work , disappearing , I made the decision to hire a Project Mamagement Team. They were pricey but have taken care of EVERYTHING, done all follow ups with artisans , recommended contractors , found issues and made them correct … I’m telling you they have been such a blessing. I pay them happily coz the work is coming out beautifully. Thank you for being transparent and this video will help others. It’s not impossible to do and we really need to step professionalism back home just like you said. Hope things get better for you.
i UNDERSTAND YOUR ISSUES..you raise important points...these are some of the issues l want to talk abt in my channel....lm a new youTuber..will react to your video soon...l think in Zim professionalism has dropped and at the same time, some clients don't care to engage real professionals..hiring a reliable Quantity Surveyor is important especially if you are not around, a QS can manage your costs, quality checks and contracts etc everything for you..
Hello there, the frustrations you're facing with small business artisans, if at all, are a result of very poor work ethics!! This is a major problem in almost all layers of the society, the citizens don't take their work seriously and very few of them are willing or know how to improve professionally! The work, at all levels, is considered to be ku kiya kiya or kungwavha or hustling! The moment they get "paid" they go and splurge at the bar until the next score!! There is no effort to establish a good reputation!! Sad!!
I feel you when it comes to work taking too long to complete in Zimbabwe. Some contractors accumulate so many jobs that overlap hence won’t commit to your project only regardless that you paid them. Another issue is not being tidy with materials, e.g. there is vlogger who was showing the building of their house. Windows and doors were fitted, yet those who were doing the skimming didn’t cover the doors and the windows that the glass panes, doors and the frames were smeared all over 😳 As for quotations, folks just go to the person or contractor they want. If you ask them okay you got this one, what about the other 2 for comparison purposes, it’s always they can’t get any other. The truth is they would’ve promised their friend that they’ve gotten the job. On the other hand, service providers, once they know you’re diasporan, they rip you apart! People in Zim think that if you’re abroad you’re minted yet you really are not. So they charge exorbitant sums calling for thousands without flinching. They don’t understand that the diasporan can’t even amass that amount in a year. The point they’re missing is that once you charge reasonable figures, you’re calling more customers to your business cos you you’re affordable. I don’t necessarily believe that we’re so often screwed up cos we use family, cos in diaspora families do work well and jobs are done as they’re instructed. I think in Zim people have become dishonest in most ways, whether family or not. There are still a handful of loyal folks that are honest and get the job done.
I totally understand your challenges. I'm building 4 units (two story) in Malawi while living in the diaspora and I initially experienced similar challenges. I would say please hire a Project Manager instead of relying on relatives (which is your own advise from past videos). Tell the PM to go around chasing for quotes from suppliers and service providers and then you would make a decision on which ones. This would alleviate your stress. The reality is you're not on the ground and you just need committed people in Zim who can run the project for you. If the PM doesn't do their job well, you can part ways. Btw thanks for all your videos and all the best :)
Thank you for the advice 🙏
It is not just Zim, a woman doing this kind of work is just challenging. Tips, get a male on sight project manager! Pay them to be your eyes and ears. If you must fire someone just give them your expectations and a time line. If they don't do it let them go!
Hey Sis, after watching the frustration of many family members building from the diaspora, getting scammed and or poor workmanship , guys not finishing work , disappearing , I made the decision to hire a Project Mamagement Team. They were pricey but have taken care of EVERYTHING, done all follow ups with artisans , recommended contractors , found issues and made them correct … I’m telling you they have been such a blessing. I pay them happily coz the work is coming out beautifully. Thank you for being transparent and this video will help others. It’s not impossible to do and we really need to step professionalism back home just like you said. Hope things get better for you.
Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate you taking time to respond to my emotional video.
In moments like this close yourself in & pray (point number 10 from your manual) God will direct you to the right people to work with
Amen 🙏 sometimes you just can’t be strong .thank you for reminding me about prayer 🙏
i UNDERSTAND YOUR ISSUES..you raise important points...these are some of the issues l want to talk abt in my channel....lm a new youTuber..will react to your video soon...l think in Zim professionalism has dropped and at the same time, some clients don't care to engage real professionals..hiring a reliable Quantity Surveyor is important especially if you are not around, a QS can manage your costs, quality checks and contracts etc everything for you..
That’s okay , thanks for coming through I’m heading to your channel 😊
Sorry sis it shall pass
Thanks for the encouragement
Its the business culture in Zimbabwe..... lethargy is the order of the day.
Yes , so exhausting
But winning on UA-cam is not good, respectfully. Talk about your success. We are dealing with energy!
Yaah that s why people hire outside people even from south Africa to do jobs like these
Exactly, Zimbabwean artisans are so reluctant about work.
Hello there, the frustrations you're facing with small business artisans, if at all, are a result of very poor work ethics!! This is a major problem in almost all layers of the society, the citizens don't take their work seriously and very few of them are willing or know how to improve professionally! The work, at all levels, is considered to be ku kiya kiya or kungwavha or hustling! The moment they get "paid" they go and splurge at the bar until the next score!! There is no effort to establish a good reputation!! Sad!!
I feel you when it comes to work taking too long to complete in Zimbabwe. Some contractors accumulate so many jobs that overlap hence won’t commit to your project only regardless that you paid them. Another issue is not being tidy with materials, e.g. there is vlogger who was showing the building of their house. Windows and doors were fitted, yet those who were doing the skimming didn’t cover the doors and the windows that the glass panes, doors and the frames were smeared all over 😳 As for quotations, folks just go to the person or contractor they want. If you ask them okay you got this one, what about the other 2 for comparison purposes, it’s always they can’t get any other. The truth is they would’ve promised their friend that they’ve gotten the job. On the other hand, service providers, once they know you’re diasporan, they rip you apart! People in Zim think that if you’re abroad you’re minted yet you really are not. So they charge exorbitant sums calling for thousands without flinching. They don’t understand that the diasporan can’t even amass that amount in a year. The point they’re missing is that once you charge reasonable figures, you’re calling more customers to your business cos you you’re affordable. I don’t necessarily believe that we’re so often screwed up cos we use family, cos in diaspora families do work well and jobs are done as they’re instructed. I think in Zim people have become dishonest in most ways, whether family or not. There are still a handful of loyal folks that are honest and get the job done.