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There are several reasons to be in business. Making a profit is one of them, of course. However, being a business owner also opens up a wealth of opportunities to create jobs, develop careers, and help the community. The truth is that communities, all communities, depend on local businesses to support programs that benefit everyone.

Jeff Fisher, president and CEO of Reno Lawn & Landscape, in Reno, Nevada, has been in the business for 10 years, and his company has been around for 21 years. Throughout his career, giving something back to his community has been one of his top priorities. Today, his company employs 90 people and maintains 1,100 residential lawns and 150 commercials sites in northwestern Nevada. Reno Lawn & Landscape is not only a leading company in the community, it is also a community leader.

“I think the two go hand-in-hand,” says Fisher, referring to being a leader in a profession and in the community. “If you want to be recognized as a top company, you have to be involved in the community and help out when and where you can.” His involvement in the community started early on when he gave away a lawn mowing visit or a tree at various silent auctions. Whenever a group asked for a donation, his inclination was to give away a product or a service that would make the community, in his words, “a better place to live.” Over the years, the “giving” has grown. One of his company goals is to give away 50 trees to various causes this year and 100 trees in 2005. Recipients typically receive gift certificates for a 15-gallon tree of their choice and free installation.

Reno Lawn & Landscape allocates approximately 1 percent of its gross sales to charitable causes. In addition to giving away products and services, the company routinely supports organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, Junior Achievement, the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Salvation Army, and local church groups. Fisher is also chairman of the local Red Cross and is actively involved in the community’s leadership development program.

The company also provides a unique service for nonprofit organizations. Fisher explains, “Our community involvement program gives nonprofit organizations the opportunity to retain our company and pay only the hard costs for the service we provide. Because we donate our overhead, the program ends up costing them between 30 and 40 cents on the dollar. Our crews provide the same high level of service they give any customer. In fact, a passerby could not distinguish one of our community involvement properties from a regular property. The only thing we ask of our community involvement customers is that they recognize the value of our in-kind donations and acknowledge us in the same way they acknowledge other donors.”

Fisher continues, “It all comes back to the community that allows us to be in business. We have to ask ourselves how we can make a difference in the community. At the same time, individuals and companies have to be passionate about their causes to be fair to themselves and the groups they support. At the end of the year, for example, we take a close look at each of our charitable programs. If we find that interest or passion is waning for one group or another, then we look elsewhere to get involved.”

Involvement is the key, he adds. “I encourage all our employees to find a cause and either volunteer on their own or involve our company. Either way, volunteering and giving are good for our employees, our company, and the community within which we work and live.”

Contractors need not own a multimillion-dollar company to “become involved.” Sure, if you are just starting a business, those first few years will monopolize most of your time. Says Fisher, “Once you reach the $250,000 mark in sales and have a couple of crews and some stability to go with it, consider taking the next step — start giving something back to your community.”

10/04

By Rod Dickens, ALCA Contributing Writer