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"