Doing well by doing good

by Larry Meyer
MRA Chairman and CEO

Ever notice how some of the most successful retailers are also the most community minded?

Which begs the question: are retailers involved in their communities because they’re successful or are they successful because they’re involved in their communities?

It’s a timeless question. It’s also a timely one as we begin our search for the 2003 Michigan Retailer of the Year.

The awards, now in their sixth year, recognize and honor the most outstanding of the thousands of Michigan retailers who have taken on causes or projects in their community and worked diligently to make their town a better place for everyone. We honor the most exemplary small, medium and large retailers as a way of drawing attention to all the good work done by all the retailers all across our state.

The nominations are due August 8, but if you want to nominate your own business you can skip that first step and fill out the detailed Nominee Form (472k pdf). Or you can pass the link to the form along to a well-deserving colleague and urge that person to complete it and send it in. The deadline for the Nominee Form is September 5.

Every year our independent selection panel is awed by all the hard work and creative energy put forth by the nominees on behalf of their communities. The selections are always difficult. We expect this year will be no exception.

And what about our opening question concerning the relationship between success and community involvement?

Without exception, all the previous recipients have been professionally successful as well as highly active in civic, charitable or volunteer endeavors. So which is the cause and which the effect?

I’ll leave that for others to ponder. Suffice it to say, it’s no coincidence.