Resources

I Don’t Know!

Choose roles and act out the following.

Part 1

MAXWELL: Daniel, I have come to get my pay for the work I did last Wednesday.

DANIEL: Didn’t I pay you already? I’m sure I paid you.

MAXWELL: No, you didn’t. The other guy I work for always writes it down. Do you have a record of paying me?

DANIEL: No, but I thought I paid.

MAXWELL: How would you know if you don’t write it down?

Daniel: I guess. … I don’t know.

Part 2

JAMES: Daniel, good to see you. How’s business?

DANIEL: I’m busy.

JAMES: Busy is good. Making a profit?

DANIEL: Yes … I think so.

JAMES: You think so? What do you mean?

DANIEL: Well, I don’t really keep records. I’m busy making furniture. I keep it in my head and hope everything works out.

JAMES: Really? You don’t write down your income and expenses and calculate your profit or loss?

DANIEL: No. I’m not an accountant. I make furniture.

JAMES: Every business owner must keep records. That’s the only way you’ll know if your business is doing well or not. Ok, I’ll ask again. Are you making a profit?

DANIEL: Um … I don’t know.

JAMES: Are you making more or less money than last month?

DANIEL: I don’t know.

JAMES: Please, follow my advice and keep records so that you will know.

Back to page 48

A Week at Daniel’s Furniture Business

Read:Read the following example of Daniel’s furniture business.

After doing some research by talking to competitors and customers, Daniel learned (1) people do not like metal furniture because it gets too hot in the summer, (2) metal furniture is harder to make, and (3) metal supplies cost more than wood. He decided to sell wooden furniture instead of metal furniture.

His customers love it! He is selling lots of wooden furniture and it feels like business is going well.

Back to page 49