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  • 1.  Why we need to focus on business stories

    Posted 07-27-2006 09:23

    In my view, there should be no argument in MSR about the legitimacy of focusing on business. We may be more or less disappointed in what has been achieved so far in corporate social responsibility, we may have more or less faith in not-for-profit organizations – the fact is indeed that business dominates the everyday experience of most people throughout the world AND that the methods of business administration are being copied in not-for-profit organizations such as health care and education as well as government. I agree with Lee Robbins that our contribution is required to further change business administration perspectives and behaviors. Important as case studies may be to show better and wiser management practices, I believe it is necessary also to study the philosophical and spiritual beliefs, embedded in our cultures, about business administration.

     

    I am embarking on a research project which is addressing the theory of business administration from the ethical and spiritual perspective. In my view there are two central problems in current management practice. The first is that individual people, by entering into an organisation, give up part of their freedom. They have to obey rules and act according to procedures. While organisations are the result of human interaction, many people nonetheless experience the organisation they work for as a given structure to which they have to submit. The nature of the relationship between the individual and the organisation appears as one of instrumentalization, which is testified by the fact that management practice has never given up talking about 'human resources'.

    The second problem is that the creation of value under the leadership of managers has been guided mainly by economic standards. This is problematic to the extent that human activity within the organisation becomes subject to economic rationality. It is now generally accepted that non-economic values also need to be taken into account in managerial decision-making, as is shown by the larger societal responsibilities which companies and institutions are expected to respond to. This problem concerns the role of values in managerial decision-making. The importance of vision, mission, culture and leadership is now generally accepted. Yet there seems to be a need for better understanding in the theory of business administration of how visions are created, missions received and leadership qualities developed. The key is how to establish core values in a non-instrumental way.

     

    On these two counts, spirituality and religion have something to say. Spirituality and religion can help managers to connect with what really makes sense for the people who are stakeholders in the organisation. I agree with Ramya Ranganathan that lasting and effective change comes from the way people think, and that spiritual education can provide the basis for a more responsible and compassionate way of conducting business. Still, the wisdom of an expanded consciousness has to be passed along not only in leadership programmes and other ways of human training and formation. It also needs to find its way in the theory of business administration.

     

    Interestingly enough, in the history of management there are many examples of wise people who have realized that business is significant for human progress. Yet their message and example have consistently not made it into mainstream business administration, although they inspired many managers. I hope to show in what way spirituality and religion can inform business administration by entering into a discussion with the philosophical and spiritual beliefs underpinning the theory of business administration. I intend to illustrate how to overcome difficulties in fostering that business works in a socially and environmentally responsible way by examples of human interaction in corporate social responsibility practices.

     

    If anyone is interested in this research project and/or knows how I may have it funded, please let me know. And I hope that Eric will gather stories that show examples not just of successful business entrepreneurs but of sustainable business entrepreneurs.

     

    Erik de Jongh

    Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Theology

     

     

    Van: Management, Spirituality & Religion [mailto:MSR@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] Namens Ramya Ranganathan
    Verzonden: maandag 24 juli 2006 20:45
    Aan: MSR@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Onderwerp: Re: stories

     

    I would also like to add something in response to Todd's point. I think that lasting and effective change can only come from within. So when its a change in the social structure (equality, poverty, education), or change in the world's environment, it has to come from changing the way people think about such issues (and whether they think at all). This change in thought, (not just in superficial thoughts like "hey let me donate more to charities etc", but a fundamental change where the socialized belief of the 'self interested human being', can evolve into a more compassionate worldview of 'universal membership', is something that I think can come only through spiritual education. Thus I think it is the duty of every one of us, who has tasted even drops of such an expanding of our own consciousness to pass it along to others, whether it be in business schools or primary schools. The corporate world (as well as social and political worlds) are just a reflection of the values and beliefs of the human race at any given place or time. I could go on, but I just wanted to say that I think there is a justifiable case for spiritual education in the business world, it is run by people-flesh and blood like ours;  lets not shun it as a seperate 'world' that is too material to be impacted.

     

    Best wishes

    Ramya

    ps: I am researching in the area of social entreprenuership, becuase I believe that is one way to make a positive tangible short term impact on the world and would be happy to hear back from anyone else who shares this interest.

     

    From: Management, Spirituality & Religion on behalf of David Longstreet
    Sent: Mon 24/07/2006 19:02
    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: Re: stories

    We should be careful and not paint the entire corporate world with one big brush.   Keep in mind many of the great philanthropist's made their money in business (including oil - Getty, Rockefeller).

     

    Another point, the majority of individuals in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region> are employed by companies with less than 100 employees (53%) and nearly 25% are employed by companies with less than 20 employees.  Only 13% are employed in companies with more than 1,000 employees.

     

    Small business owners, like myself, can be influenced by business schools  and organizations concerned with spirituality.    I am a practicing Catholic and I try to put my faith into action in all my consulting engagements. 

     

    Back to the point of the original email

    I come from a pretty humble background.  I was the first (and only) member or my family to go to college let alone graduate school.  I ended up paying 100% of my education because my family could not contribute anything.   A lot of professors and administrators helped me along the way.  They advised me and helped me find jobs and internships.  It has been over 20 years since my undergraduate degree and I still keep in touch with some of those professors.

     

    By the way, I have an international consulting business and I am an adjunct professor.  I work with corporate executives all over the world and their are plenty of them who care about their employees, the environment, and spirituality.   You can see a list of clients at www.SoftwareMetrics.Com/client.htm. 

     

    David Longstreet

    Software Economist

    www.SoftwareMetrics.Com

    816.739.4058

     

     



     

    On Jul 21, 2006, at 4:53 PM, tbryan@UMICH.EDU wrote:



    It's troubling to me that so much of this dialogue is focused on business. And yet the corporate world is mostly MIA when it comes to improving the lives of people or protecting the environment. There are a few rare exceptions but for the most part the business world continues to take. Even when it "gives something back" there is still a net loss. Poverty, racism, environmental degradation, the growing gap between rich and poor, public health, global warming, and homelessness are not going away and in fact are getting worse. How can you look at spiritually in organizations, or transformations at business schools, and ignore these stark realities? The transformational leaders I know have all left the business world and are working for non-profits. There you may find your stories.

     

    Todd Bryan

    <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Natural Resources</st1:placename></st1:place> and Environment

    <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Michigan</st1:placename></st1:place>

     

     

     

    --On Friday, July 21, 2006 4:45 PM -0400 Eric Romero <eric@AACSB.EDU> wrote:

     

     

     

    Hi,

     

     

     

    I am looking for current stories about students whose business education

    has had a life altering impact. For example, an impoverished student who

    struggles to pay for tuition, excels academically and then starts a

    successful business.  There is ample research indicating that stories are

    an exceptionally effective method to communicate messages. Video enhances

    the effectiveness of stories because emotions can be transmitted better

    through video than text. For example, some time ago there was a report on

    60 Minutes about a school in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> that provides a rigorous academic

    experience to underprivileged students and has a life altering effect on

    them. A link to the above mentioned video is on the school's webpage,

    which is linked below.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    If you watched the video, did you have an emotional reaction to it? If

    so, I hope you agree that business education should have a similar effect

    on business students. If you have similar videos about business students,

    would you be able to share them? I am also interested in written stories

    so if you have some, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Thanks

    in advance.

     

     

     

    Sincerely,

     

     

     

     

     

    Eric J. Romero, PhD

     

    Assistant Vice President for Knowledge Services

     

    AACSB International

     

    <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">777 South Harbour Island Blvd., Suite 750</st1:address></st1:street>

     

    <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Tampa</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state> <st1:postalcode w:st="on">33602-5730</st1:postalcode></st1:place>

     

    813-769-6513 (direct)

     

    813-769-6500 (main)

     

    813-769-6559 (fax)

     

    www.aacsb.edu

     

     

     

     

     


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  • 2.  WHY we need to focus on business stories

    Posted 07-29-2006 14:47

    A fundamental mistake we make in business school is teaching or even suggesting "the idea of maximization of profits" instead of teaching maximization of utility. In other words, the idea of maximization of shareholder wealth instead of shareholder utility is the fundamental problem.  In fact I would take it as far as to say we need to teach to maximize stakeholder utility. 

    I believe everyone maximizes utility (pursuit of happiness) and one thing we can teach in our business classes is a person  who focuses on just money is usually not a very happy person.   To really maximize utility one must live a balanced life.   This is sometimes hard for many 20 somethings to understand  and some business faculty.

    The same is true with business .  To have a truly great business it needs to be balanced.  The business needs to be concerned about maximization of stakeholder utility.    The business needs to be helping employees and customers maximize their utility also.   I would even suggest it is a good idea to help competition maximize their utility also.  A great business is concerned not only about their organization, but the overall health of the industry they belong.

    David Longstreet
    Software Economist
    www.SoftwareMetrics.Com
    816.739.4058

    On Jul 24, 2006, at 11:27 AM, Lee Robbins wrote:

    WHY we need to focus on business:

    I agree that many, probably most businesses (due to a legal structure arising out of a set of philosophical and spiritual beliefs, embedded in Western and, increasingly, in Global culture, that unduly priviledge a single variable view of measuring and evaluating business purpose and success --i.e., profit) fail to attend to more substantive issues of human well being.  Similarly many business leaders (due to cultural views which , contrary to substantial empirical research, unduly priviledge material wealth as the cause of happiness and the foundation of the successful life) also fail to attend to "improving the lives of people or protecting the environment".

    In my view the underlying motivation of many, hopefully most, of us in the management, spirituality and religion field is to change these perspecives and behaviors through research on these issues creating deeper understanding and presenting the results to future (and present) business and political leaders and to the general population.  Examples and stories of wiser behavior, even if exceptional, help to serve this purpose.

    Lee Robbins
    415-552-9800


    -----Original Message-----
    Sent: Jul 21, 2006 2:53 PM
    Subject: Re: stories

    It's troubling to me that so much of this dialogue is focused on business. 
    And yet the corporate world is mostly MIA when it comes to improving the 
    lives of people or protecting the environment. There are a few rare 
    exceptions but for the most part the business world continues to take. Even 
    when it "gives something back" there is still a net loss. Poverty, racism, 
    environmental degradation, the growing gap between rich and poor, public 
    health, global warming, and homelessness are not going away and in fact are 
    getting worse. How can you look at spiritually in organizations, or 
    transformations at business schools, and ignore these stark realities? The 
    transformational leaders I know have all left the business world and are 
    working for non-profits. There you may find your stories.

    Todd Bryan
    School of Natural Resources and Environment
    University of Michigan



    --On Friday, July 21, 2006 4:45 PM -0400 Eric Romero <eric@AACSB.EDU> wrote:



    Hi,



    I am looking for current stories about students whose business education
    has had a life altering impact. For example, an impoverished student who
    struggles to pay for tuition, excels academically and then starts a
    successful business.  There is ample research indicating that stories are
    an exceptionally effective method to communicate messages. Video enhances
    the effectiveness of stories because emotions can be transmitted better
    through video than text. For example, some time ago there was a report on
    60 Minutes about a school in Chicago that provides a rigorous academic
    experience to underprivileged students and has a life altering effect on
    them. A link to the above mentioned video is on the school's webpage,
    which is linked below.






    If you watched the video, did you have an emotional reaction to it? If
    so, I hope you agree that business education should have a similar effect
    on business students. If you have similar videos about business students,
    would you be able to share them? I am also interested in written stories
    so if you have some, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Thanks
    in advance.



    Sincerely,





    Eric J. Romero, PhD

    Assistant Vice President for Knowledge Services

    AACSB International

    777 South Harbour Island Blvd., Suite 750

    Tampa, Florida 33602-5730

    813-769-6513 (direct)

    813-769-6500 (main)

    813-769-6559 (fax)

    www.aacsb.edu







  • 3.  WHY we need to focus on business stories

    Posted 07-31-2006 13:28
    Hi everyone:
     
        I am responding to David's message on focusing on utility.   Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the classic study of Harvard graduates over a period of 10 to 20 years.  A large part of the class chose to go into professions where the money was (ie. investment banking, consulting and fast track executive programs), while a much smaller group choose to follow what they truly enjoyed doing.
     
          I remember that after 20 years, the group that followed their hearts were as a group doing better than those that chose professions based on what they were paid.   The book I'm in the process of completing, Soul Currency: The Secret of Being Well Paid to Do What Really Fulfills You,  talks to this issue of utility (maximization of happiness) which couldn't be more timely and important.   This issue will be further discussing in the upcoming PDW on Spiritual Entrepreneurship on Friday Aug. 12th at the Hilton in Atlanta,   which I'm privileged to be participating in.  
     
    With love and light,
     
     
    Rev. Ernie Chu
    Executive Director
    The Soul Currency Institute Foundation
    Deerfield Beach, Fl.
     
     


  • 4.  WHY we need to focus on business stories

    Posted 07-31-2006 14:24
    I believe that there was another recent study of Harvard and Yale female MBAs - which found that a very large percentage ended up (some quite quickly) working part-time jobs so they could spend more time with their families at home.

    If we are discussing utility (as or not as happiness), we should also consider the gender implications for the workplace.

    Allen Stout
    Adjunct Professor, Public Administration
    University of La Verne
    stouta@ulv.edu
    909-484-3858

    ---- Original message ----
    >Date: Mon, 31 Jul 2006 13:27:49 -0400
    >From: EDCHU@AOL.COM
    >Subject: Re: WHY we need to focus on business Re: stories
    >To: MSR@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    >
    > Hi everyone:
    >
    > I am responding to David's message on focusing
    > on utility. Does anyone know where I can get a
    > copy of the classic study of Harvard graduates over
    > a period of 10 to 20 years. A large part of the
    > class chose to go into professions where the money
    > was (ie. investment banking, consulting and fast
    > track executive programs), while a much smaller
    > group choose to follow what they truly enjoyed
    > doing.
    >
    > I remember that after 20 years, the group that
    > followed their hearts were as a group doing better
    > than those that chose professions based on what they
    > were paid. The book I'm in the process of
    > completing, Soul Currency: The Secret of Being Well
    > Paid to Do What Really Fulfills You, talks to this
    > issue of utility (maximization of happiness) which
    > couldn't be more timely and important. This issue
    > will be further discussing in the upcoming PDW on
    > Spiritual Entrepreneurship on Friday Aug. 12th at
    > the Hilton in Atlanta, which I'm privileged to be
    > participating in.
    >
    > With love and light,
    >
    >
    > Rev. Ernie Chu
    > Executive Director
    > The Soul Currency Institute Foundation
    > Deerfield Beach, Fl.


  • 5.  WHY we need to focus on business stories

    Posted 07-31-2006 16:13

    Dear Reverend Chu,

     

    You may want to check into Aging Well (2002, Little, Brown and Company) by George Vaillant which summarizes the results of the "Grant Study" based on following a series of Harvard male graduates beginning in 1938. Vaillant's book actually reports on three different human development studies. Another study did one-time interviews with highly successful, yet quite happy professionals many of whom had attended Harvard Executive programs. This work was done by Laura Nash and Howard Stevenson and is reported in their 2004 book Just Enough (John Wiley & Sons). The study you make reference to is more likely the Grant Study. Nash and Stevenson interviewed a wide variety of very successful people who all seemed to understand the notion that money does not buy happiness.

     

    Pauline J. Albert

    Assistant Dean, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Management</st1:placename></st1:place> and Business

    St. Edward's University

    paulinea@stedwards.edu 

     

    "Be the change you want to see." Gandhi

    From: Management, Spirituality & Religion [mailto:MSR@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of EDCHU@AOL.COM
    Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 12:28 PM
    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    <st1:personname w:st="on">Su</st1:personname>bject: Re: WHY we need to focus on business Re: stories

     

    Hi everyone:

     

        I am responding to David's message on focusing on utility.   Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the classic study of Harvard graduates over a period of 10 to 20 years.  A large part of the class chose to go into professions where the money was (ie. investment banking, consulting and fast track executive programs), while a much smaller group choose to follow what they truly enjoyed doing.

     

          I remember that after 20 years, the group that followed their hearts were as a group doing better than those that chose professions based on what they were paid.   The book I'm in the process of completing, Soul Currency: The Secret of Being Well Paid to Do What Really Fulfills You,  talks to this issue of utility (maximization of happiness) which couldn't be more timely and important.   This issue will be further discussing in the upcoming PDW on Spiritual Entrepreneurship on Friday Aug. 12th at the Hilton in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Atlanta</st1:place></st1:city>,   which I'm privileged to be participating in.  

     

    With love and light,

     

     

    Rev. Ernie Chu

    Executive Director

    The Soul Currency Institute Foundation

    <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Deerfield Beach</st1:place></st1:city>, Fl.

     

     



  • 6.  WHY we need to focus on business stories

    Posted 08-01-2006 11:42
    Dear All:
    I have been following this discussion with great interest and wish that I was joining you in Atlanta - perhaps next year! You might consider the work of Michael Ray and the work he began at Stanford over 25 years ago with the MBA "Creativity in Business" program. The program is spiritually based and is still one of the most powerful tools I have seen in working with business students. The original book, "Creativity in Business" was published in 1986 and I still use it as a core course book today with great success.
     
    I will be incorporating the program into a course on entrepreneurship this Fall and will be conducting some action research with the student's who participate. If we bring these approaches to our business students early in their careers, I believe we also impact their future management style.
     
    I look forward to continuing this discussion.
     
    regards,
     

    __________________________________
    Ginger J.E. Grant, PhD.
    Visiting Professor - Marketing
    Simon Fraser University
    Vancouver, BC, Canada
    604-291-4186/604-924-5360
    ggrant@sfu.ca

    www.creativityinbusiness.org

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Management, Spirituality & Religion [mailto:MSR@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU]On Behalf Of Pauline Albert
    Sent: July 31, 2006 12:13 PM
    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: Re: WHY we need to focus on business Re: stories

    Dear Reverend Chu,

     

    You may want to check into Aging Well (2002, Little, Brown and Company) by George Vaillant which summarizes the results of the "Grant Study" based on following a series of Harvard male graduates beginning in 1938. Vaillant's book actually reports on three different human development studies. Another study did one-time interviews with highly successful, yet quite happy professionals many of whom had attended Harvard Executive programs. This work was done by Laura Nash and Howard Stevenson and is reported in their 2004 book Just Enough (John Wiley & Sons). The study you make reference to is more likely the Grant Study. Nash and Stevenson interviewed a wide variety of very successful people who all seemed to understand the notion that money does not buy happiness.

     

    Pauline J. Albert

    Assistant Dean, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Management</st1:placename></st1:place> and Business

    St. Edward's University

    paulinea@stedwards.edu 

     

    "Be the change you want to see." Gandhi

    From: Management, Spirituality & Religion [mailto:MSR@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of EDCHU@AOL.COM
    Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 12:28 PM
    To: MSR@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    <st1:personname w:st="on">Su</st1:personname>bject: Re: WHY we need to focus on business Re: stories

     

    Hi everyone:

     

        I am responding to David's message on focusing on utility.   Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the classic study of Harvard graduates over a period of 10 to 20 years.  A large part of the class chose to go into professions where the money was (ie. investment banking, consulting and fast track executive programs), while a much smaller group choose to follow what they truly enjoyed doing.

     

          I remember that after 20 years, the group that followed their hearts were as a group doing better than those that chose professions based on what they were paid.   The book I'm in the process of completing, Soul Currency: The Secret of Being Well Paid to Do What Really Fulfills You,  talks to this issue of utility (maximization of happiness) which couldn't be more timely and important.   This issue will be further discussing in the upcoming PDW on Spiritual Entrepreneurship on Friday Aug. 12th at the Hilton in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Atlanta</st1:place></st1:city>,   which I'm privileged to be participating in.  

     

    With love and light,

     

     

    Rev. Ernie Chu

    Executive Director

    The Soul Currency Institute Foundation

    <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Deerfield Beach</st1:place></st1:city>, Fl.

     

     



  • 7.  WHY we need to focus on business stories

    Posted 08-01-2006 11:58
    Dr. Jeff Thompson, at Brigham Young University, is currently researching these
    issues:

    http://marriottschool.byu.edu/emp/employee.cfm?emp=jat237





    Quoting Pauline Albert <paulinea@STEDWARDS.EDU>:

    > Dear Reverend Chu,
    >
    >
    >
    > You may want to check into Aging Well (2002, Little, Brown and Company) by
    > George Vaillant which summarizes the results of the "Grant Study" based on
    > following a series of Harvard male graduates beginning in 1938. Vaillant's
    > book actually reports on three different human development studies. Another
    > study did one-time interviews with highly successful, yet quite happy
    > professionals many of whom had attended Harvard Executive programs. This
    > work was done by Laura Nash and Howard Stevenson and is reported in their
    > 2004 book Just Enough (John Wiley & Sons). The study you make reference to
    > is more likely the Grant Study. Nash and Stevenson interviewed a wide
    > variety of very successful people who all seemed to understand the notion
    > that money does not buy happiness.
    >
    >
    >
    > Pauline J. Albert
    >
    > Assistant Dean, School of Management and Business
    >
    > St. Edward's University
    >
    > paulinea@stedwards.edu
    >
    >
    >
    > "Be the change you want to see." Gandhi
    >
    > _____
    >
    > From: Management, Spirituality & Religion [mailto:MSR@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On
    > Behalf Of EDCHU@AOL.COM
    > Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 12:28 PM
    > To: MSR@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    > Subject: Re: WHY we need to focus on business Re: stories
    >
    >
    >
    > Hi everyone:
    >
    >
    >
    > I am responding to David's message on focusing on utility. Does anyone
    > know where I can get a copy of the classic study of Harvard graduates over a
    > period of 10 to 20 years. A large part of the class chose to go into
    > professions where the money was (ie. investment banking, consulting and fast
    > track executive programs), while a much smaller group choose to follow what
    > they truly enjoyed doing.
    >
    >
    >
    > I remember that after 20 years, the group that followed their hearts
    > were as a group doing better than those that chose professions based on what
    > they were paid. The book I'm in the process of completing, Soul Currency:
    > The Secret of Being Well Paid to Do What Really Fulfills You, talks to this
    > issue of utility (maximization of happiness) which couldn't be more timely
    > and important. This issue will be further discussing in the upcoming PDW
    > on Spiritual Entrepreneurship on Friday Aug. 12th at the Hilton in Atlanta,
    > which I'm privileged to be participating in.
    >
    >
    >
    > With love and light,
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > Rev. Ernie Chu
    >
    > Executive Director
    >
    > The Soul Currency Institute Foundation
    >
    > Deerfield Beach, Fl.
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >


  • 8.  WHY we need to focus on business stories

    Posted 08-02-2006 21:35
    Hello Hernie,
    I think you'll find this in Vaillant's book, Aging well...
    But the difference between the two groups are not so pronounced...
     
    I hope this helps.
    Best
    Thierry
    THIERRY C. PAUCHANT, MBA, PHD.
    PROFESSEUR TITULAIRE, CHAIRE DE MANAGEMENT ÉTHIQUE, HEC MONTRÉAL
    CONSULTING FACULTY, FIELDING GRADUATE UNIVERSITY
    WWW.PAUCHANT.COM
    ----- Message d'origine -----
    Envoyé : 31 juillet, 2006 13:27
    Objet : Re: WHY we need to focus on business Re: stories

    Hi everyone:
     
        I am responding to David's message on focusing on utility.   Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the classic study of Harvard graduates over a period of 10 to 20 years.  A large part of the class chose to go into professions where the money was (ie. investment banking, consulting and fast track executive programs), while a much smaller group choose to follow what they truly enjoyed doing.
     
          I remember that after 20 years, the group that followed their hearts were as a group doing better than those that chose professions based on what they were paid.   The book I'm in the process of completing, Soul Currency: The Secret of Being Well Paid to Do What Really Fulfills You,  talks to this issue of utility (maximization of happiness) which couldn't be more timely and important.   This issue will be further discussing in the upcoming PDW on Spiritual Entrepreneurship on Friday Aug. 12th at the Hilton in Atlanta,   which I'm privileged to be participating in.  
     
    With love and light,
     
     
    Rev. Ernie Chu
    Executive Director
    The Soul Currency Institute Foundation
    Deerfield Beach, Fl.