Newsletters
Volume 7, Issue 1 Winter 2007
News from CEO, Jim Schell
Another Year, Another Opportunity
Well, here we go again, looking forward to another banner year in OK’s going-on-eleven year history. We’ve got plenty of ideas for new programs and directions for our organization, I’ll briefly outline several of them.
Public Relations: I think you would agree, OK is, and always has been, the best-kept secret in town. We’re going to try and remedy that situation this year in several ways, most specifically by letting the community know how many lives we positively impact, as opposed to simply focusing on the number of business owners, managers and non-profit Executive Directors we have as members. Which is why we’ve asked you in the last month or so to tell us how many employees you have on your payroll.
We now have the number of business owners and employees that OK’s problem solving format impacts. That number?
4,000+ Impacts!
Yes, we positively impacted over 4,000 owners and employees in 2006, as we went about solving our member’s problems, and one could double that number by assuming that each of those 4,000 owners and employees have at least one dependent each. We’re going to continue focusing on, and tracking, this “Impact number” as we take in new members. We’ll keep you, and the community posted as the number grows.
Best Practice’s Seminars: Here it is January and we already have the best-ever slate of Best Practices Seminars lined up for the balance of the year. The year starts out with a bang, as OK favorite Barbara Schenck and Bill Chiaravalle of Brand Navigation give us a two-hour lesson on Branding and how it affects your business. Attendees will also receive a hot-off-the-press copy of their recently published book “Branding for Dummies.”
In a subsequent Seminar, we’ll also feature two of Central Oregon’s hottest companies, Edge Wireless and Structus Building Technologies, as they share their secrets on how they have created a culture of caring employees. Edge Wireless was named the “Third best company in the state of Oregon to work for” and Structus Building Technologies was recently recognized as C.O. Business Success Story of the year at the 3rd Annual Venture Conference.
We’ll also be featuring Steve Gerlicher and Marilyn Beem, in a specially constructed program on “How to develop an exit strategy.” Steve was the owner and President of Orcom and Marilyn his president back in the 90’s, when the two crafted a finely tuned Exit Strategy for the company. (Remember folks, everyone, yes everyone, is eventually going to exit their company. Best you learn how to do on your own schedule, and not someone else’s.)
Mentoring Program: Watch for this new innovation, later on this year. The name says it all, our intent is to match up some of our community’s veteran business experts and entrepreneurs with those small business owners who are just beginning or need help. We’ll keep you posted as the program develops.
A Management-training Workshop for Small Business Owners and Their Key Employees. This one too, is still in the oven, cooking. The plan is to develop a management-training program for key staff and mid-management personnel of our local businesses. The management training program would be based on the seven Baldrige principals, which include 1) Leadership, 2) Strategic Planning, 3) Customer and Market Focus, 4) Information & Analysis, 5) Human Resource Focus, 6) Process Management and 7) Business Results. Stay tuned.
Partnerships: We’ve had particular success in partnering with EDCO this year, and we plan to look for ways to do more of that. Additionally, we’ll be working with the new kid on the block, The City Club, to find ways to partner with them. (The Mentoring Program will be a good place to start.) We’re always on the lookout for Partnership opportunities, we encourage our members to shower us with ideas.
Management: Susie has always had her own Board of Advisors, finally I am getting around to doing the same thing. I’ve asked five committed OK members and (not coincidentally) successful business owners to help me perform my job of providing strategic direction to our growing organization. My five Advisors for the upcoming year include Mark Neuman (Summit 1031), Shannon Mara (Rebound Physical Therapy), Erich Schultz (Compass Commercial), Roger Lee (EDCO) and Mary Schell (Specialty Cigars.)
Susie and I wish for all of our members the best of success in the upcoming year. Don’t forget to say thank you to your Facilitators for volunteering their time and don’t forget to follow up on those suggestions from your team members.
I hope to see all of you at the January 10 Branding Seminar!
Jim
Congratulations to Aileen Walker, Sublime Design Group and Phil Rerat, Swiss Mountain Log Homes for being recognized as the 2006 OK Members of the Year!
Aileen Walker, President
Sublime Design Group
OK 1
Describe Your Business:
Sublime Design Group is a full-service creative agency. Our clients think of us as an extension of their businesses, creating eye-catching brands and guiding them to smart marketing decisions that get results. We devote the same energy and passion to their business that we do to our own. Why? It may sound cliche, but we care. We are in business to help our clients succeed. That's what motivates us to be responsive, accommodating and accessible to those we work for. That's why we return calls, make "housecalls," and actually listen; it's why we make ourselves available to give support and advice even after the job is done.
How long have you been a member of OK?
I have been a member of OK for almost 4 years.
What have you enjoyed most about OK?
My team is like my second family. Greg, Lee, Paul, Andy, Gary, Lee Marie and John Paul have been my support, my sounding board, my guides and most of all my true friends. They are always just an email or phone call away, as I am for them.
What is the top value you and your business have received from OK?
Push those uncomfortable limits to grow... endure... become a better business owner.
Phil Rerat, President
Swiss Mountain Log Homes, Inc.
OK 11
Describe Your Business:
We started our business 7 years ago in the Sisters Industrial Park. In our work yard we construct handcrafted log homes. We also provide a comprehensive array of log-related products and services. These include log accents, trusses, railing, stairs, mantels, and specialized restoration work.
How long have you been a member of OK?
I joined OK approximately four and a half years ago, when a new group was just starting up in Sisters.
What have you enjoyed most about OK?
I enjoy the camaraderie of my hardworking and fun group of people. Everyone is willing to support each other. I am glad to contribute my ideas and experiences, as well. The fact that everyone openly shares business and personal issues being assured of confidentiality is key. Our entire team demonstrates a commitment to the group as a whole.
What is the top value you and your business have received from OK?
At first when I was asked to join, I couldn’t see how I could find the time for OK meetings in my busy schedule. What I value is the realization of the importance of making time to reflect on and analyze my company’s status continually. Not only am I learning valuable business lessons from my experienced colleagues, I am held accountable for taking action. This has led to getting out of “ruts” when it comes to issues with personnel, finances, and organization. I have attended various presentations by guest speakers and greatly appreciated the professional information they shared.
GARY CAPPS
Co Facilitator OK 14
What is your business:
I have been one of three owners of Century 21 Gold Country Realty. Gold Country has 5 offices in Central Oregon with over 100 real estate brokers. Gold Country offers complete real estate sales services of both residential and commercial real estate.
How long have you been an OK Facilitator?
I have been a facilitator of OK 14 for over 6 years.
What have you enjoyed most about being a Facilitator?
The most enjoyable aspect for me is the interaction between the members of OK in solving various business challenges. It is important to keep the group focused but at the same time allow significant open discussion for members expression.
What's the best advice you would give to an OK Member?
My advice for OK members is to stay primarily focused on business strategy and tactics rather than day to day operational problems although some discussion of those problems are also appropriate. In addition, members need not only to participate in OK to assist in solving their business problems but also contribute to solving other members problems as well.
Central Oregon OK News
Susie Stevens, President
Happy New Year to all of you! I hope you are all prepared to start this New Year with your budgets in place and your goals identified. It’s looking like a great year for OK with a line-up of great seminars and presenters. We hope to see many of you on January 10th when Barbara Schenck and Bill Chiaravalle open up the Best Practices seminars with “Building and Burnishing Your Business Brand.” We know this program will be a great one.
Thanks to all of you who were able to attend the OK 10th Annual Meeting Celebration this past fall. What a great turnout we had and I hope a great time was had by all. At the request of those that we have heard from, OK will continue to have the annual meeting in an evening format again. Please mark your calendar now for October 2nd, as we look forward to another enjoyable Annual Meeting.
Also, thanks to all of you who took the time to give us your feedback in the Annual OK Survey. We appreciate hearing your comments and learning how we can deliver OK's services more effectively. It is also wonderfully gratifying to see what an incredible job OK’s facilitators are doing. As volunteers for OK and for you, we are very grateful to these wonderful individuals. Overall, OK scored extremely well which is very rewarding for both Jim and me. 99.9% of all responses indicated that as members their needs and expectations were being met. We also know circumstances can change and at some point in time, if any of you as members feel your OK needs are not being met, please let us know. Perhaps it might be time to consider making a change in OK teams. Changing to a different OK team is not an easy thing for most members to consider and it doesn’t happen very often, but when it has occurred, it has appeared to be a win/win.
A final thanks to all of you who continue to make OK what it is today. We appreciate beyond words what you do for your fellow team members. Each and every one of you make a huge difference for each other.
The best to all of you in 2007!
Susie
CONGRATULATIONS TO MARY SCHELL, OK FACILITATOR OF THE YEAR!
As a result of an overwhelming number of nominations from Mary’s OK 5 team, Mary Schell was awarded the Facilitator of the Year at the OK Annual Meeting. Mary has been an OK Facilitator since OK started ten years ago. A special thanks to the OK 5 team and to Mary!
2007
OK BEST PRACTICES
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January 10 |
“BUILDING AND BURNISHING YOUR BUSINESS BRAND” |
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February 14 |
“HOW TO MAKE YOUR EMPLOYEES LOVE THEIR JOBS” |
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March 14 |
HANDLING LIFE IN A 24/7 WORLD |
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April 11 |
DEVELOPING YOUR EXIT STRATEGY |
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May 9 |
MARKETING PLANS THAT WORK |
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September 12 |
TAX PLANNING FOR SMALL BUSINESS |
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October 10 |
NUTS AND BOLTS OF REAL ESTATE INVESTING |
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November 14 |
“UNDERSTANDING YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS” |
To register for any of the events or for more information contact Opportunity Knocks 318-4650 or email cathy@opp-knocks.org
Thanks to all of our OK Business Sponsors
OK Annual Meeting Sponsor:
Rebound Physical Therapy
Patron Sponsors:
Bank of the Cascades
Citywide Mortgage
Columbia River Bank
Community First Bank
LibertyBank
South Valley Bank & Trust
US Bank
Umpqua Bank
Washington Mutual Bank
West Coast Bank
In Kind Patron Sponsors:
Alpine Internet Solutions
Cascade Business News
Press Pros
Solution Sponsors:
Compass Commercial:
JD Mowlds
Erich Schultz, SIOR
Steve Toomey
Team Sponsor:
Access Knowledge
BITS
Centro Information Systems
Greenstone Solutions
QB Pro, Inc.
SecurityPros, Inc.
Vernon Construction
Opportunity Knocks is serving the following communities in Oregon: Central Oregon, Coos Bay/South Coast, Salem/Mid Willamette, and Portland. Also Penticton, B.C., serving British Columbia
