DATE: Friday, September 12, 1997            TAG: 9709120550

SECTION: BUSINESS                PAGE: D1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY MIKE ABRAMS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   64 lines

REGENT HONORS BUSINESS LEADER FOR PUTTING FAITH IN SERVICE FIRM

The furniture at ServiceMaster's suburban Chicago headquarters can be switched around, but the company's founding principles are etched in stone - a marble wall in the office.

It is those principles - including honoring God - that have helped the $4.5 billion, Fortune 500 firm and its 250,000 employees succeed, said C. William Pollard, the company's chairman, during a talk Thursday at Regent University.

He was in town to accept the school's third Servant Leadership Award, recognizing business leaders who exhibit qualities of selfless service espoused by Jesus Christ.

``Every person is a special creation of God,'' he said, challenging his audience to answer two questions: ``Who are we, and what do we want?''

The bow-tie wearing Pollard, 59, talked little about his best-selling book, ``The Soul of the Firm.'' He did share anecdotes about his work and strategies he imparts as chairman.

Founded in 1929 as a moth-proofing business, ServiceMaster has become a global business in cleaning homes and institutions, killing bugs, fixing appliances and caring for lawns.

Its divisions include such household names as Terminix, Merry Maids, Tru-Green and Chem-Lawn. The company boasts 6 million customers in 30 countries.

ServiceMaster's revenues have steadily increased over the years, from $3.2 billion in 1995 to $3.5 billion in 1996. Earnings in that period increased from $172 million to $245 million, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The most important thing a leader can do, Pollard said, is do the jobs he or she asks employees to do. Every new ServiceMaster employee must complete an orientation program by performing field service for a few weeks. Then, at least once a year, managers head back to the lawns, homes and offices to freshen up their skills.

Other tips Pollard offered:

Leaders must learn how to manage and unify a diverse group of workers.

Leaders should keep office doors open. His company's offices have glass windows or walls and open doors, when possible.

Leaders must routinely recognize employees for jobs done well and help them improve with proper tools and training.

Pollard said his company encourages people to openly discuss their religious beliefs. Employees engage in Bible study, if they choose, and are encouraged to participate in service projects.

The publicly traded company's quarterly financial reports refer to serving God, and some business meetings begin in prayer. Pollard said that's part of understanding that making money and conducting business aren't sins.

The company's hiring, promotion and salaries are based upon performance - not religious beliefs. And non-Christians occupy positions at all levels.

Chuck Krueger, a 29-year-old Regent business student, attended the talk because he was curious about the company, which he worked for as a teen-ager in Minnesota.

He said one thing the executive said will stick with him: ``You have to feel good about yourself before helping others.''

Regent University's School of Business has awarded two other Servant Leadership Awards - one to S. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-Fil-A restaurants; the other to Ken Melrose, CEO of the lawn-care equipment maker, Toro Co. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]

Regent University gave C. William Pollard, the chairman of the

global firm ServiceMaster, its Servant Leadership Award.

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