Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current, July 01, 1993, Page Page 10, Image 10

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    New Face: Bruce Thomas
l " " "
K
Bruce Thomas has
arrived in Grand Ronde fresh
from the Portland legal
community and ready to go
to work. And he's got quite a
job.
Bruce has accepted
the position of General
Manager of Spirit Mountain
Development Corporation, a
job that requires a lot of
business knowledge and
patience.
Not only is Bruce a
tribal member, but he's a law
yerand hasa Master's degree
in business which he received from Willamette University in
Salem. He has been a member of the Spirit Mountain Board
for one year, and has now decided to leave his law firm to be
it's General Manager.
"The first thing we're going to focus on is getting
our offices organized and ready to conduct business," said
Bruce. "Chris (Leno) and Tammy (Cook) have done a good
job working independently, so it shouldn't take long."
Spirit Mountain Development Corporation's new
offices are located on some property purchased by the Tribe
along Highway 18, about two miles from the Grand Ronde
main offices.
Another of Bruce Thomas' immediate concerns is
the planning and development of the property purchased
from the Zimbrick family last year.
"We're plowing ahead with our first major project,
which is the gaming facility and related development," he
said. "We've already negotiated with consultants and
management companies. And we are in the process now of
negotiating a compact with the state which will define the
Business Development Seminars
If you currently own a business, or plan to own one
someday, here are some seminars being offered during the
upcoming months.
TUESDAY, JULY 20 PERSONNEL ISSUES
TUESDAY, AUGUST 17 MARKETING ARTS &
CRAFTS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 -THE LEGAL ASPECTS
OF DOING BUSINESS
Classes are held the third Tuesday of each month at
the Tribal Community Center from 6:30 to 9:30. For more
information, contact Debby Childers 1-800-422-0232.
Computer Training
The Business Development department is offering
several computer training classes in July. Space is limited to
three people, so call Debby to reserve a spot. If you are
interested in a specific computer training that we haven't
offered, call and make an appointment with a staff member.
BASIC COMPUTERS: Monday, July 19 1-3:00 P.M. and
Thursday, July 29 10:00 A.M. to Noon ,
QUICKEN ACCOUNTING: Tuesday, July 13 3-5:00 P.M.
BEGINNING SPREADSHEETS: Thursday, July 22 3-5:00
P.M.
size and nature of the
business."
Bruce grew up in
the Salem area and graduated
from the University of
Oregon in 1975. Some of his
business experience includes
owning and operating a
restaurant with his brother
for several years.
While working as a
partner for Stoel, Rives,
Bowley,JonesandGrey(thc
largest law firm in Portland)
Bruce was involved in
business andcommercial law
and was able to negotiate contracts for many businesses in
Oregon.
He met Executive Officer Jim Willis in 199 1 , while
Bruce was representing the hospital selling Nanitch Sahallie.
It was at this time he learned about SMDC.
"Jim asked me if I would be interested in serving on
the Spirit Mountain Board, and I told him I was," he
explained.
Bruce wants to stress the fact that the gaming
facility is the first of several ideas and development projects
the organization is working on. For the tribally-owned
property along highway 18, there are many possibilities. At
any rate, it seems SMDC has a very busy future, on which
Bruce commented: "There are a lot of challenges ahead of
us, financing, getting water and sewer hooked up, and
getting the highway widened. We are looking toward
opening the gaming facility in 1994."
Bruce has finished up his work in Portland and is
now working for the Tribe full-time. He will reside in the
Newberg area.
Business Development:
Programs & Services
The Business Development Center offers
the following services, but will not be open the usual Tuesday
evenings throughout the summer. Staff will be available in
the evenings by appointment.
FAX SERVICE
COMPUTER LAB
LIBRARY MAGAZINES, BOOKS, VIDEOS
PHONE MESSAGE CENTER
PHOTOCOPY SERVICE
BUSINESSPLANNING AND MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE
TRAINING IN MANAGEMENT AND COMPUTER USAGE
Open Air Market in Grand Ronde
The weekend of July 17 and IS the Business
Development department is sponsoring an Open Air Market
at the Spirit Mountain Development office on Highway 18
from 10:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M each day. This is an
opportunity for tribal members to sell their arts & crafts
items. The tribal frybread stand will be set up to help entice
customers to stop and see what is available. We won't be
charging for spaces, but you will need to bring your own
tables, displays, chairs and whatever else you need. To sign
up for space, please contact Shelley Hanson at 1-800-422-0232.
Six Steps For Starting A Business
1. THINK SMALL
It is a lot cheaper, easier, and smarter to growbigger
than it is to grow smaller. Keep your overhead to a minimum
by having your office at home. Hang on to your day job as
long as possible or at least until you begin to see some light
at the end of your financial tunnel in the business.
2. GET ADVICE
Put together an outside advisory team. Find people
who know how to so what you don't. Keep your team in place
after your start-up phase is over.
3. DRAFT A BUSINESS PLAN
You don't build a house without a blueprint. And
you don't start a business without a business plan. Don't kid
yourself by overestimating or wishing the numbers higher.
Be realistic. Here are the elements you need for your plan:
Situation Analysis: What is your market? What area will
you serve? How many people of businesses comprise your
target market? Who is your competition? Why will people
do business with you?
Financing: Where is the money going to come from initially?
Where will it come from when it runs out? Can you handle
a negative cash flow? Do you have a cushion if it takes longer
to become profitable than you expect? You savings should
be adequate enough to support you for at least two years
before you have to dip into your new business income.
Product Analysis: Who needs it? Why? What makes it
salable? Price? Quality? Service? Convenience? How will
people learn about your product? About your business?
Personnel: What talents are absolutely essential to the
success of your business? Where will you find them? Have
you priced their services accurately? Are you considering
hiring anyone who is not totally necessary to your success?
4. BE READY TO ADAPT TO CHANGE
Be prepared to handle the unexpected: an employee
who doesn't perform, a product that doesn't sell.
5. GET THE DETAILS RIGHT
Insurance, payroll, licenses, permits, leases, legal
advice, taxes. Don't try shortcuts that can get you into
trouble.
6. IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOU
Do you have the temperament to work 16 hours per
day for months, or perhaps years, when things never seem to
be going right? Are you prepared to work longer hours for
less money than you ever have in any job you've held while
still maintaining traces of normal human behavior (laughter,
patience, having fun)?
Reprinted from the May 1993 issue of "Home Office
Computing"