The study guide for The American Revolution with Michael Novak in Washington DC as seen on Small Business School the series on PBS member stations. Small Business School is the best television show in America

The Case Study Guide

last update: July 2007

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business is about service

Jim Schell started and sold four companies. One was bought by faithful employees who are making millions today. Jim is happy for others to succeed.

Business Is Not About Greed

Here at the Small Business School, we've studied many successful small businesses. We always ask the business owners about their motivation for starting and operating the business. No one has ever told us they started their own business because they wanted to make a lot of money and they operate their business to make as much money as possible. Instead, we hear time and time again that small business owners believe if they have a good plan and execute it well and fairly, the money, well it just comes.

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Key Ideas of this episode


1.		Capitalism is the Only Proven Path from Poverty to Prosperity
2.		The American Version Of Capitalism Has Not Been Articulated Well
3.		Many Owning A Little Is Better Than a Few Owning A Lot
4.		Business Owners Are Not Elites
5.		Capitalism Requires A New Attitude About the Creation of Wealth
6.		Struggle for Improvement Is A Moral Duty
7.		Capitalism Does Not Thrive Unfettered
8.		Capitalism Depends Upon Hard-Working People
9.		Democratic Capitalism Is A Three-Legged Stool
10.		Business Is Not About Greed
11.		Capitalism Is Good For The Soul
12.		Capitalism Is Organized Around The Mind
13.		Small Business Is The Most Important Institution In A Civil Society

Topic for Discussion: What does Novak mean when he says self-interest is good but greed is bad? Aren't they the same thing?

Answer: What are you interested in? What are you trying to accomplish in your business? If you are motivated to provide a high level of customer service, to produce a quality product, to establish a nurturing environment for your employees, then that's your self-interest. That's what is important to you. That's not greed because greed is gluttony and avarice, the motivation to improve one's own lot without any consideration for others. Self-interest, on the other hand, is our passion, what motivates us, why we start our own businesses and make successes out of them. You think about it: What's your self-interest?

You think about it: What's your self-interest?

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