Normally I blog about UWL, Guided Procedures, BPM, workflow, or some other NetWeaver topic. However, in June I started a 6 month project on another team. I’ll be back to my ‘normal’ job in December, but for now I’m enjoying the change and the reflection that comes from taking a step away.
During my time away, the ‘nagging in my conscience’ about working for a large company has bubbled to the surface - again. You see, I was reared in a strong religious heritage that focuses on service to others. My lifelong friends work in service professions. They are teachers, special education directors, camp directors, psychologists, social workers – all of them spend their careers in service to others.
I’ve always felt guilty about working for a business, thinking business is bad since the major goal of any business is to make money.
I recently read the book Business Ethics: Making a Life, Not Just a Living by Gene Ahner. I guess I read this book at just the right time.
I mention it and write this blog because it discusses community and I realize my social need in business is one of the reasons why the BPX community is so valuable to me.
The book had three major points that ‘spoke’ to me:
- Business provides goods and services, this is valuable to our community
- Working in business is OK, it does not have to put me at odds with my faith
- Community is important as we each contribute according to our strengths
When the Business Process Expert Community began, I participated. If I am completely honest, it is not because I really understood the importance or value of the community, but because Marilyn and I both used to be instructors, so I really participated to support her.
Over time, I finally began to understand what Marilyn had known all along. How community enables people who may not normally know or interact with each other to create neighborhoods of shared knowledge and ideas that can propel individual and group growth.
When I attended the BPX day at ASUG, I really had a great time! The different perspectives of the various presenters and panel members, and Marilyn’s passion to ensure the session was valuable, really made this day a highlight of my ASUG experience.
This year I won't be able to attend the Communnity Day at TechEd, but I will be looking for your blogs and postings to get your thoughts on the day and the valuable insights gained.
I look forward to reading what you have to say about your experience at Community Day!
