In Williamsburg, there are three merchants, Greenhow, Tarpling and Prentiss. John Greenhow taught about the Art and Mystery of Mercantilism and while he spoke I jotted notes in my notebook. He spoke to our group as if we were going to spend 7 years indentured to him and he would teach us to read, write and cipher while we would learn all about the art and mystery of mercantilism. For the good of the community, Greenhow explained that we would change from being a liability to an asset once we completed our 7 years indentured. He explained that at the moment we were with him because our family may have fell under, while many were orphans. Explaining Virginia currency and the idea of ready money lead me to continue to my note-taking, so fast I could barely keep up. It was only after he finished speaking, and even later that night, that I reread my notes and starting thinking about my note-taking strategies. As I reread my notes on the different books that were kept, I decided that a 3 column chart would make sense for showing the different purposes for each book.
Mr. Greenhow taught us that the most important asset a merchant can have is his reputation. There cannot be discrepancy in the books.
"If you fail with a good reputation, you can always begin again. If you lose your reputation, you will lose it all."
-John Greenhow
"If you fail with a good reputation, you can always begin again. If you lose your reputation, you will lose it all."
-John Greenhow
Ideas from John Greenhow:
Two important lessons that came from this interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg remain relative not only in 1750, but also in 2014.
1. "You must always look for opportunity."
2. "Honesty and integrity."
Mr. Greenhow left me thinking about these two ideas and how the relevance of building a network of trust is as important today as it was in 1750. Opportunity comes from information, it is important to know people and gain information. In this sense John Greenhow is referring to being a successful merchant, however I can see the significance of these ideas into our everyday lives, professional or personal. Honesty and integrity also play a critical role, not only as a merchant, but again in everyday life.
Two important lessons that came from this interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg remain relative not only in 1750, but also in 2014.
1. "You must always look for opportunity."
2. "Honesty and integrity."
Mr. Greenhow left me thinking about these two ideas and how the relevance of building a network of trust is as important today as it was in 1750. Opportunity comes from information, it is important to know people and gain information. In this sense John Greenhow is referring to being a successful merchant, however I can see the significance of these ideas into our everyday lives, professional or personal. Honesty and integrity also play a critical role, not only as a merchant, but again in everyday life.
As I read over my notes, it occurred to me another section was best suited for a diagram while another begged for a flow chart to express the ideas that I jotted as Mr. Greenhow spoke with such strong beliefs in mercantilism. Moving forward this seems like a great opportunity to write an informational piece.