Difference makers: Balanced Environments, Inc.

Talking to customers is easier when you’re not trying to sell them something. And everyone feels good when they give back.

That’s why when Jim Wollney and a team at Balanced Environments, Inc., a commercial landscape contracting business, had the opportunity to participate in a food drive event at a major trade show in their industry in February, they jumped at the opportunity. You could say they long-jumped. The Building Owners and Managers Association International show, or BOMA, invited exhibitors to do what they do best and construct something, but using non-perishable food items. Wollney decided to stick with the theme of the 2014 trade show — the Olympics — and used 36 boxes of cereal, some wrapped in foil, to build a tiered winners’ podium.

The display was called “Going for the Gold,” and people at the trade show picked their favorite by donating money, with proceeds benefitting the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Wollney got his clients involved, too. Each year he drops by their offices and personally delivers a flower to show his appreciation for their business.

“I gave my clients a gold presidential dollar (right after I gave them a flower) and told them about ‘Going for the Gold.’ The gold coin was a reminder to ‘vote’ for the food pantry and as a favor to vote for us,” he says. “The best part is that we tied in the backyard gardening movement with the food drive with examples of rooftop and backyard gardens that we have installed and maintained.”

Wollney took it a step further and filled a jar with gold chocolate coins with the company’s name printed on the wrappers and set up a guessing game at Balanced Environments’ booth at the show. People used their business cards to write down the number, and it gave the company about 70 leads, Wollney says. Employees wore gold medals to symbolize that they won three TOBYs (The Outstanding Building of the Year) from BOMA to carry the Olympic theme further.

Balanced Environments received the most votes from trade show attendees for their display, and raised $600 for the food bank and collected more than 900 pounds of food. Wollney says it worked because the team planned months in advance and many people brainstormed ideas for the show. And the team follows up with the leads they collect at shows.

“It was nice to help promote the food bank,” he says. “It’s a feel good thing.”