We are all different people. I am the type who will complain about my dislikes for a long time thinking that the person I am dealing with will know and understand my unhappiness and change so that we move on.
There are others who will take a decision and only explain to you only because you asked about the change but they would have moved on already. Kofi had a mason called Cunnison he had worked with for several years, almost 2 decades. Cunnison shows concern, and tries to understand his clients. He does not get angry easily. But he will make mistakes in
interpreting drawings and will leave the work for boys when the owner of the building leaves the site. By the next time Kofi comes around he will see some mistakes and Cunnison will find a respectful way to calm Kofi down and make amends. But the materials wasted would be purchased by Kofi. So for critical structural works, Kofi will hire an engineer to inspect the form work, steel bending and ensure that the right concrete ratio is used. Because of such errors, Kofi travels very frequently to check on his project at the expense of his day Job. This went on for years. Kofi kept complaining about the lack of concentration by Cunnison but usually, a round table meeting will resolve the matter. One day Kofi decided to work with a contractor. The bill was almost three times what his Cunnison would have charged but Kofi was resolved to get a change. He paid the contractor and here are the results Kofi had:
1. Workers slept on site and started work at 6am instead of 9am the following day.
2. Deadlines were met without unnecessary delays.
3. No material shortages
4. Professional finish at every stage of the new building
5. Site was cleaned after every major activity like casting, removal of form work etc at no extra cost toKofi.
6. Materials like blocks, sand , stones were moved to respective floors at no extra cost to Kofi.
7. All civil works were done according to specifications.
One good thing about Kofi is that he likes keeping records. Kofi decided to total the receipts of payment under Cunnison’s regime and compared that with the one time payment he made to the Contractor and to his astonishment, he had paid Cunnison more than the new contractor. Lessons
1. We all need new opportunities when we make mistakes but we must now abuse such chances.
2. Audit your activities with those you have been trusting from time to time.
3. Don’t be carried away by the smiles of people, there could be an agenda why they smile with you.
4. Choose plain talk over sugar-coated words and know your fate before dooms day.
5. Weigh the consequences before you make that move.
