Flourishing Through Business

My friend, Chuck Stetson, is an inspiration to me. Not only does he run his own venture capital business, but he keeps starting nonprofits to serve the public good. And while I suppose he could retire, it's just not going to happen. He sees far too much that needs to be done to quit or even slow down.

His latest effort is Flourishing Through Business, an e-learning effort that "covers what colleges and business schools with rare exception don't teach."

The first course, "Flourishing Through Business 101" looks at things like "the common sense practice of putting the customer first, followed by the vendors, employees and then shareholders, priorities that are rarely being taught today at our schools, colleges, or even business schools. Greed is not good and almost always ends badly."

For anyone--regardless of age--interested, this first course is offered free of charge through the summer. So if you're interested, now is the time to try it out. Or to encourage young people you know to try it out. Maybe even encourage them to try it out with you. That way you can discuss what you've learned.

I say that in large measure because of something Chuck learned in preparing Flourishing Through Business. "Adults take note,"says Stetson, "our focus groups tell us high school and college students want to network with adults and discuss these issues. As adults we have an opportunity to mentor not only our own children, but also the young people joining our businesses from college." Not to mention members of the youth group at church, college students home on break, and who knows how many others.