How do you handle the language barrier? Or is just English enough to communicate even complex ideas to your staff?
English generally dictates hierarchy in business. There are 120+ unique dialects in the country, and even though Tagalog is the "official" language, you'll find the reality is most people can't (or won't) communicate in Tagalog fully (outside of Manila). Tagalog is a fairly shitty language for official matters, and as such, all the laws are written in English.
Everyone speaks at least the basics of English, and your managers should all think and speak in very fluent English. They still fuck a lot of words up and do some god awful things to the language.
Examples of bad English:
See you tomorrow = I'll go on ahead
Staples = Staple wires
Bakery = Bakeshop
Any nuances / pitfalls regarding cultural differences you've had to adapt to?
Most people think in their local dialect. This can cause issues when the local words aren't descriptive enough. The one big example i the word now. Take Bisayan (local dialect):
Now = karon
Today = karon
This leads to some situations where you say "I want this done now" and they don't start work on it until later in the day.
Pinoy (Filipinos) aren't generally thieves, but they will be lazy if you let them. You need to give them schedules and you need to have someone micromanage them.
The culture is VERY religious and family oriented. Don't expect free thought, or as they say, common sense isn't common.
Pinoy are willing to think on their own, but it's not natural for them. Rather than create work they are proud of, they will try to please you; but in doing so, they will do shitty work and become unhappy.
I recommend asking the phrase "are you proud of what you're about to show me?" a lot. If they aren't proud of it, don't even look at it. It's the only way you're going to get them to do quality work.
I'm assuming you're a Westerner, and if so, any problems being the boss in a foreign country like that? In other words, any headaches to getting shit done (and done properly) because you happen to be white?
You have to rely on locals to deal with locals. You will constantly get ripped off otherwise, because locals think you're automatically rich. Each region of PH is also fairly small, so word spreads around really really quick if you have a bad reputation.
Apart from just being white, you run into a fair amount of issues with the government. Particularly, they are slow and corrupt. It takes months to get anything processed, and they expect you to pay with cashier checks for nearly everything. Even paying payroll tax is a complete PITA and they don't make it easy.
The bigger companies aren't much better. It took two months just to get a post-paid mobile contract.
On the plus side, being white comes with advantages. You don't get hassled by anyone but beggers. You can for the most part walk into anywhere and everyone thinks you belong.
