Summary and Comments
In the article " The Rise of the Commercial Society: The Business Leader as Hero," the author, Mark Skousen, explains his opinion about business’s position in current society. At beginning, the author gave a short story about himself to prove the value of a business education. He and his wife wanted the Marriott exchanged a better room for them, but the front desk refused him. However, after he said he came to celebrate the 40th anniversary which was the “Two Magic Words” (Skousen, 2013), the front desk changed the decision immediately. Then he mentioned that business plays a very important role in society, and discussed what business should do when it becomes a social institution. Next he talked about what a commercial society will bring to us, and the spirit of business. He also gave his ideas about why and how to create a “positive new brand of capitalism”. Besides, he talked a little about his career, his working experience and what he did around business. Then he gave a particular discussion about “three lessons teaching at Columbia Business School”. First, he suggested that the economics courses of “ivy-league B schools” should be taught by economists who have experience of doing business. Second, the history of Wall Street and financial crisis should be included in MBA programs. Third, the MBA students should learn how to balance their lives. At the end, he talked about age distribution of employment.
This article is a really good Keynote Address. The most impressive thing in this article is that the author mentioned Lin Yutang because I think he is one of the few Chinese remembered by Americans. His opinions and attitudes are influential even now. However, I also agree with the author that the efficiency, punctuality and the desire for achievement and success are virtues which will bring you respect and friendship from others and they are considered as important requirements of current business.