Since I was a little boy, I loved to read. Perhaps it was the only escape I had to some extent, since life for me sometimes was a valley of mountains.
Over the years I had read stories and met people who shared with me their stories. And the result of these narratives was like puzzles. And as I grew older, and perhaps wiser, these stories became knowledge and tools.
A story I have always shared with those who wanted to hear, was the story of the furniture maker. I tailored it a bit over the years. As father, husband, employer, mentor and friend, this was a good story to tell people how you should think if you want to succeed. The story goes like this.
One day there was a furniture manufacturer John in the 1890s situated in Knysna, an old forest town in the Western Cape set up by George Rex in the early 1800s. The economy was historically driven by its valuable timber industry before a fire in the 1930s which led to the logging of indigenous forests ending. The furniture maker was proved as a very good local furniture manufacturer with a small team. One of the staff members Peter have been employed by John for a long time. It was Peter’s aspiration to become the manager. He was very resolute and loyal. Always first at work and last to leave. Working extra hours without expecting extra compensation. Never complaining. Truly dedicated and committed to his hope being promoted by his employer to take over perhaps as manager.
Then upon a day, the furniture manufacturer employed a new employee, Nick, who was very pleasant, and good at sales. Within three months Nick was promoted to manager. This was very demoralising for Peter. He has been with the company for years and very loyal to John. It became very unbearable. He could see everyone liked Nick. He liked Nick as well. But it still did not solve his unhappiness. So, one day he gathers together the courage to consult with his employer about it. He knocked on his employer’s door and open when he heard John called to enter. “Good morning, Sir. May I have a word?”. “Yes, Peter come in. How can I help? Sorry I am just busy with orders. Speak I am listening. How can I help?” So, Peter then shared his concern with his employer. Saying he was not complaining and enjoyed working for John. But wanted to understand or know had he done something wrong. As he was always very committed to his employer. But within three months Nick became manager.
While Peter was talking, his employer left everything he was busy with and listened to Peter. At some point John stood up standing at the window smoking his pipe while listening and now and then looking at the people down in the busy dusty main street with people, wagons and horses. When Peter finished, John nodded. “Thanks, Peter, for talking to me about it. You are a great employee, and I very much appreciate your commitment. I did not know you felt this way. You should perhaps have told me earlier of you aspirations”. While standing at the window, John was focused at something down in the street. “While we at it, come over and have a look”. Peter, always committed to his employer jumped up and walk to the window looking down to see what his boss was looking at. “Peter, do you see that wagon down in the street with the wooden furniture? It looks like fine handmade furniture. And they seem to have travelled far? Please go and ask the man where he is from?”. Peter once again committed to show his boss his commitment, confirmed and rushed out of the office. John saw Peter quickly chatting to the man and rushing back. When Peter stepped back into his employers office, he said the man say he was from the timber village Rheenendal which was a significant distance form Knysna. John nodded. “Ask him who made the furniture?”. Immediately Peter ran down the stairs and returned moments later. “He said he made them himself Sir”. John “Sure looks like nice strong furniture don’t you think? Ask him what wood did he used?”. Once again Peter jumped away and returned moments later saying the man said it was Yellowwood furniture.
At that moment, before John could say another word, there was a knock on the open door and appeared Nick. “Oh, sorry Sir, Peter, I can come back later”. “Oh no wait Nick,” said John. “Come have a look here. Peter and I was just talking about this wagon with furniture down in the street”. Nick stepped closer to the window and looked outside. “It looked like fine furniture Sir? Perhaps I should go and find out if we can help him Sir? “Yes, sure please. Peter and I will wait for you”, said John.
Both John and Peter watched while Nick casually walked out of the office. They see him entering the street below walking to the man at the wagon. They shook hands and talking. Laughing a bit and Nick walking around the wagon looking at the furniture. Then walking back to the man talking to him and then walk off back to the factory. Both John and Peter hear Nick walking up the stairs into the office. “Sir I spoke to the man. His name is Koos Vermeulen. He travelled far from the town Rheenendal where he lives with his family. The furniture on the wagon is made of Yellowwood and made by himself. They seem very strong and well-made. And want to know if we would be interested in buying the furniture. His asking price is pretty much good, and I will sell them at a profitable markup Sir. He is waiting for your feedback. Can I continue to negotiate with him Sir?”
To which John replied, “Yes Nick you go ahead. Peter and I still have to finish our conversation”. To which Nick thanked his employer, greeted both men and left the office to address the man in the street.
By the time John turned to Peter, he could see Peter understood. “What is it you have learned Peter?”. Peter nods his head. “I certainly do understand Sir. Nick went down and got all the information at once, while I was wasting time to go up and down and up and down. This was a great lesson, and I will try to be more like Nick”. Then John nods. “That is what I want to hear Peter. You’re a great asset to me and to this company. Loyal and a diligent worker. And sooner or later I have to retire. I plan to expand and open a branch in George. The idea is to send Nick to go and manage the new factory in George. And perhaps if you can proof to me, you can work a bit on taking initiatives about management, I might as well promote you to be the next manager here in Knysna. You already know the whereabouts of the company, staff and clientele.
And I don’t think I need to explain you the motto of the story.
By Lourens Nel