As business leaders we are approached by a number of community organizations to help support their cause. Most provide worthwhile services that benefit the communities we do business and the needs have escalated over the past few years. The "asks" are made from members of numerous charitable organizations, our employees, clients and trade partners.

You can't say yes to everybody and it doesn't feel good to say no to anybody. Scott Harrison, CEO of Barclay Dean Environments shared his company's corporate citizenship strategy at the May CEOtoCEO Breakfast. Rather than reacting to every request made for assistance Barclay Dean uses proactive approach by incorporating corporate citizenship into the company's strategic thinking and planning. The company corporate citizenship focus is children, health and education.

The results of Barclay Deans approach speak for themselves. The company has been selected as the 2009 Corporate Citizenship of the Year Award for consistently supporting over 20 non-profit organizations each year. In addition being actively involved in corporate citizenship allows Barclay Dean to build valuable relationships with other businesses in the community.