Never too late to learn

Jumbo!
I headed to Moses' office next day (Thursday) at 8.30am to find him just having brushed his teeth and in shorts and t-shirt. "Good Morning, Moses'" I exclaimed. He didn't seem pleased to see me especially at that hour. He again started to congratulate me for all that I've done (basically cover up for his shortcomings!) and produced his receipt book to tick off another month's rent while I presented him with 6 envelopes. I explained that in total they contained TZS90,000 (as I had already paid Musa - the foreman - TZS10,000 in hand the previous evening).
Moses heard my explaination in awe; one envelope was the remaining balance due to the electrician (Barosi) a sum of TZS36,000. While each of the other envelopes contained TZS10,000 each which I wanted Moses to give to Musa at the end of each working day. The whole idea was to teach Moses a lesson, if he wanted that is. A lesson for life or if anything for his new business' life! I wanted him to appreciate the importance of self-discipline, priorties, building relationships with partners as well as trust, making promises-to-pay with friends on whom you can't expect to rely on for money, and worse still not keeping his own promises or rather advance / deposit agreements. Last but not least managing cash in hand.
So, I gave him the option to either take the lot and spend it as he deems necessary or take my advice and distribute accordingly.

I was twice as glad when he chose the latter. Even because I was obviously playing a risky hand at that point if he chose not to give it to the workmen and therefore, loosing them once and for all, stopping all work at the new school. But I wanted to play the game as the win would have been a double for me. And so it was as Moses took the lesson, or so I hoped.

As we made our way to the house, he told me he had never met such an 'iron lady'!! Barosi was all smiles when Moses presented him with his envelope but then thanked me instead of him! Moses then decided to give the whole lot to Musa rather then TZS10,000 each time. Well, can't get it 100% at least I got 90% of it!! But hey, Musa was a happy boy and he and his team all worked hard that day.

At the end of the day even though I know I do come across as an 'iron lady', I have a heart, a brain and a soul! So, 3 cheers for that and lessons learnt for the day ;)

Nicky
X X X
PS next ...another big shop and an interesting Sunday lunch :)