CHAPEL HILL — Campbell Business School faculty member Scott Kelly believes the entrepreneurial process is an effective pedagogy for business education.
Recently Kelly delivered a presentation to the North Carolina Entrepreneurship Educator Conference at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School titled, “Service First: Why Launching a Low Tech Business is an Effective Way to Teach Business.”
Most entrepreneurship education focuses on identifying problems, building products, prototyping and testing the market. A “service first” methodology centers on low capital service businesses where students must learn to engage potential customers and land a first sale. While engaging with prospective clients is out of the comfort zone of many students, in Kelly’s view, the interpersonal skill development is critical.
“I recognize that not all students will go on to launch their own business, but the skills will benefit them no matter where they go.” Kelly commented. “After teaching one semester with the ‘service first’ methodology, I’m excited about the results of students taking responsibility and reaching higher goals than they thought possible.”
“While case studies serve a purpose in business education, we recognize the effectiveness of students engaging potential customers during the start up process as a way to learn business skills,” said Campbell Business Dean Kevin O’Mara. “There is no doubt the seeds of entrepreneurial thinking that are planted during business school will bear fruit throughout a student’s career.”