Seniors in Professor Christy Benson’s Business Law and Accounting Ethics got a first-hand look at how companies employ responsible business practices in a class assignment that allowed them to consult local firms competing for the 2010 Piedmont Business Ethics Award (PBEA).
The PBEA recognizes companies in the Triad that demonstrate a commitment to ethical and responsible business practices. Other universities that had students participate include NCA&T and UNC-Greenboro. Award winners were announced during a luncheon at the Starmount Country Club in Greensboro on Tuesday, April 20.
Working in teams, students consulted with nominated firms by compiling the information required for the PBEA application and drafting a narrative describing the company’s business ethics in action.
Elon students Lauren Griffith, Greg Kail, Brett Harman, and Kathleen Smith worked with Brady Trane, a company that manages HVAC and energy efficiency systems for commercial and industrial buildings, and is headquartered in Greensboro, N.C. Brady Trane won in their company size category.
Daniel Bell, Marcus Lockamy and Emily Campbell worked with Pet Sitters International, another winning firm. “Our experience consulting for Pet Sitters International was a rewarding and eye-opening experience. We worked hand-in-hand with the management at Pet Sitters and really got a sense of their corporate identity and their business practices,” says Daniel Bell.
Students Jennifer Bornhofen, Allie Elcock and Tara Moore assisted Dynamic Quest, a Greensboro firm that provides data center, IT, and help desk services. Dynamic Quest won in the video category. Katie Tabor, James Etchells and Tim Patz consulted Mother Murphy’s Bakery, a PBEA finalist.
The goal of the class project was to give students hands-on learning and exposure to ethical business standards by having them engage with companies that model responsible business practices. “The best way to learn ethics is by watching and practicing, and that’s exactly what I was able to do during this project,” said Emily Campbell.
“It was our pleasure to work with Dr. Christy Benson and her students this year. Her students were professional and diligent in preparing entries for local business,” said Gregg Schlaudecker, chair of the Piedmont Business Ethics Award. “This ‘lab’ experience enabled students to ground their classroom instruction with real-world ethical challenges. As our program grows, we hope to be able to demonstrate to future students that good ethics means good business.”