But, contrary to the impression left by the portrayal of business people in movies and on television as greedy, rapacious, and immoral, many ordinary businesses and business people do extraordinary things. Not because it is their responsibility, nor because of PR concerns, but because it is the right thing to do.

I saw this truth again in a story in the Wall Street Journal of June 6, 2007 (After a brain injury, a business plan). Rob Groeschen grew up in the shadow of his handsome, athletic and charismatic older brother Tom in a suburb of Cincinnati. While in college Tom was in an accident that caused brain damage—enough to prevent Tom from normal, full functioning in life. Rob built a nice career with Safety-Kleen in Florida, but wanted to come home to be more involved in Tom’s care. Safety-Kleen was good enough to promote him to a position close to home. (What a difference a simple act for the company made in the lives of a family.)

Rob eventually started his own successful business in Cincinnati—Resource One, a recycling and hazardous waste handling enterprise—but was less successful in helping his brother. After many frustrating years, Rob’s business experience led him to create a nonprofit (In Return of Blue Ash Ohio) that employs his brother and five other brain-injured people in work opportunities that Rob learned about at Resource One. And his dreams and plans are much bigger.

Businesses and business people can and do make a positive contribution—often in their workplace, often out. While our website will continue to help the ethics and compliance community learn from the mistakes of others, we will also be highlighting ethical acts in the business world.

Do you know someone who has done the right thing in business? Please nominate him or her to serve as a positive role model for the rest of us. And thanks for the inspiration, Rob!