It was 100 years ago that Daniel Burnham, Edward Bennett and the Commercial Club of Chicago established the now world renowned "Burnham Plan" for the future growth of Chicago. With that historical backdrop, it was fitting that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce gathered CSR leaders in the windy city to talk about 21st century plans for corporate community investment.

Five Chicago corporate leaders led the day's first panel discussion, addressing the significance of the Burnham Plan's Centennial and contemporary efforts to create public-private partnerships that build on its legacy.

"Make no little plans," was Burnham's original mantra. Paul O'Connor's organization, the Burnham Plan Centennial, echoes that call with its own tagline: "Bold Plans, Big Dreams."  Just as the original plan involved partnership across businesses and government entities, recent projects advancing Chicago have featured similar alliances. Jerry Roper of the Chicagoland Chamber talked about the recent completion of Millennium Park, and the ongoing bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics -- both high profile examples of how companies can mobilize together for the public good. With the leadership of a powerful Mayor Daley (one panelist called him "our benevolent dictator"), the city offers numerous examples of how partnerships can get big things done.

John Landgraf of Abbott, one of the most active corporate citizens in the region, explained how his company and dozens of others have mobilized around the Olympic bid. He is clear-eyed enough to acknowledge that even if the bid fails, the long-term planning and changes catalyzed by the effort will bring long-term benefits to the city.

Ellen Sweeney, head of the Motorola Foundation, echoed the same themes and focused on partnership with nonprofits. She also emphasized that measuring success is key toward the success of funded initiatives.

The conversation inspired lively questions and exchanges with audience members. Among the more memorable comments: immigrants are a key part of the growth story and we can't plan without including them; money is the easy part, but using people and products strategically is the challenge; corporations need to see their roles as advocates, facilitators, brokers, connectors, champions, etc; the new effort at the federal level to create an innovation czar is one that can be emulated by every state.

Are any of the companies embarking upon a plan on the scale of Burnham's legendary effort a century ago?  Perhaps not, but the conversation – and the conference – serves as a timely reminder that to maximize impact, those who shepherd corporate community involvement need to keep their eyes on the horizon and never lose sight of the "big plan."

Ted Deutsch is founder of Deutsch Communications Group