Why us? Why now?

Why entreprenuerial teaching? By us OB and Management educators? Now?

I picture Earth as a ball scaled down to about 10" x 10". The North and South Poles are on a post that runs through and sticks out each end. They are tipped to sit on two braces, so that it can spin freely. We mount a set of stairs. We stand on the verge of stepping out onto that spinning orb. The challenge is seductive. We have to run as fast as it spins, to keep from being spun off into the Void. Why try it? It could be fun. We'll get a heck of a workout. With our feet on that ground, we'll be connected to the World. With our feet on the top step, we are just observing, counting its rotations, perhaps noting how some tiny human figures are flying off its face, no longer able to keep up.

As one flies past our nose, a nearly inaudible voice squeaks out, "Are you just going to stand there watching us fail?!". "Sorry", we exclaim, looking back fondly at the bottom stair and the path that led us here.

Forgive the tortured analogy. To the point - OBTC '08 is about stepping out there, and running with all we've got.

We have to run with those who are fleetest of foot and still able to stay on the Ball. We have to learn how they do it. How they stay so fit, so balanced, so determined to run businesses that not just keep pace, but set the pace.

These are the practitioners who are making the Globe spin as fast as it does now. We can try to talk them into pausing with us for long, lingering lectures, but they those who cannot stay on the ball flying out to that Void. Here is their proposition. "Keep up with us. Learn with us on the fly. Teach at this pace. Share our risks. But, we are not getting of the World to spend a fortune in time in money, just so that we can say that you say that we are proficient in business."

Well, my feet actually hurt. I am pooped. My mind is flooded with defenses against this exhortation. Why me? Why now?

It is us. This is the time. Period.