Kilonzo explained that the cribs the farmer was talking about were
What Is for demonstration only, that he didn't need such a big store because
Communication? his shamba was a small one; and that the traditional baskets he had
COmmuncati in his compound could be adapted with very little expense. The
 farmer nodded and said no more.
 Kilonzo left behind the leaflets with their drawings and their
 explanations, wished the farmer well for his harvest and his stores,
 and said he would return after two weeks.
 Over the next few weeks he returned a number of times. Some of the
 maize had indeed been harvested early and put in the stores to dry.
 But the baskets were still close to the ground.
 "What about raising them?" he asked.
 "Yes, I will do that," said the farmer. "But I can't afford to do it yet.
 And what about that new crib-when can I have one too?"
 Again, Kilonzo explained that the free cribs were only for demon-
 stration purposes and enough had been already erected in the area.
 "And why are your baskets still smeared with dung?" he asked.
 "Well, you see, in this neighbourhood there has been a lot of stealing;
 and I'm afraid if people see I have grain in the stores then it will be
 stolen."
 Kilonzo sympathized, scratched his head and walked off to see one
 of his favourite demonstration farmers, who had been given one of
 the new cribs and who seemed to be doing all that was asked of
 him-a very good example, if only the other farmers would learn
 from it!
 Before you continue reading, just stop and think a while about this
 example.
 How effective was Kilonzo in communicating his messages?
 If you were his supervisor, what suggestions would you
 make to him?
 Could there be reasons other than the fear of theft for the farmer
 continuing to smear his baskets?

 THE MAIN CONSIDERATIONS
 There is no easy way to learn to communicate effectively. There is
 no set formula that is going to work every time; no bag of tricks that
 can be bought like a set of spanners that will remove any nut. To
 communicate effectively is not easy because to communicate effec-
 tively we have to think clearly-and thinking clearly is never easy!


Chapter 1