A bees perspective on business success

As part of the pre-business living and learning community, this fall pre-business residential students have a chance to look at the lessons bees can teach about success in the business world. This four-module program, which starts Thursday, Sept. 23, 7:30-8:30 p.m., in Vandenberg Hall uses two books -- The Wisdom of Bees: What The Hive Can Teach Business about Leadership, Efficiency and Growth  by Michael O’ Malley and Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping by Dewey Caron -- to demonstrate business concepts, and explore science and the environment.

Through the modules, BEE U students will discuss, explore and experience the role bees play in the biosphere which will help them discover their own ethos, learn about the million dollar beekeeping industry including the social, economical and ecological importance of it, and observe business concepts that lead to successful organizations as demonstrated by the inner workings of beehives.

Each module will cover a different aspect of business and organization, including:

• team/organizational behavior -- discussing hive behavior and the roles/responsibilities of each member: queen, worker and drone.

• sales, marketing, management and communication -- looking at how bees communicate with each other; an executive guest speaker will discuss how this relates in the business world.

• analysis, finance, accounting, leading in lean times and ethics -- where a discussion about the nectar flow cycle will be discussed in terms of current business problems.

• operations management, accounting and profit -- where students will learn about the operation of a bee hive and full cycle of operating a business. An executive guest speaker will discuss business management as it relates to selling products.

In addition to hearing from expert guest speakers, Bee U students will also visit the apiary on OU's campus to observe the bees in action.

Lacie Melasi, senior accounting major, is the resident adviser leading this program, as well as incorporating the bee theme into the community for the fall term. Confirmed guest speakers include Mike Ames, former COO, Savannah Bee Company, Judy Martin, education coordinator, SBA's Center for Business Education and Research, and Dave Rooney, SBA Executive in Residence and former marketing executive for Chrysler.

The session is available at no cost to pre-business living and learning community students. Space is limited, so students interested in participating should contact Melasi at lamelasi@oakland.edu to learn more or reserve a spot.

This program was designed as a requirement for Beekeeping Across the Curriculum, a graduate class led by Dyanne Tracy, professor, education, and chair, teacher development and educational studies, for OU's SEHS. Robin Michel, director, development for SBA and educational leadership Ph. D student at OU created the modules. Martin and Tracy provided advice.