Newsletters
Volume 5, Issue 3 Fall 2005
News from President, Jim Schell
By now, most of you have heard of OK's Malcolm Baldrige
program. For those of you who have not, the Baldrige program is
a series of professionally facilitated workshops with attendees
consisting of CEO's, Presidents and Executive Directors of
successful Central Oregon businesses and organizations. These
workshops are designed to help attendees perform a
comprehensive self-assessment of their organization, using
criteria from the nationally acclaimed Malcolm Baldrige
National Quality Program.
OK will be, in September, kicking off our second Baldrige
workshop. (Our first class graduated this past June;
attendees included such organizations as Bend LaPine School
District, Bend Broadband and Clear Choice.) Also scheduled for
October is Central Oregon's first annual Malcolm Baldrige
National Quality Award Symposium, a four-hour event that will
feature, among other presenters, the winner of the 2003 United
States Baldrige Award in the small business category. Hopefully
our esteemed Governor will be joining us too, as we initiate
our quest to make Baldrige a household name in the Oregon
business community.
OK's interest in the Baldrige program has been fueled by one
Mr. Jim Shaw, a senior examiner for Baldrige and one of only 75
such designees in the nation. In frequent conversations with
Jim, a recent Central Oregon immigrant, Susie and I have
learned a ton about the mission of the Baldrige program and how
it works.
One of the lessons we've learned is that OK and Baldrige have
similar, but disparate, mission statements. Baldrige's mission
statement is "to improve the performance of U.S.
organizations", while OK's is "to train, educate and provide
problem solving services to small business." Despite these
surface differences, there is a distinct overlap in the beliefs
of Baldrige and OK. Those overlaps include:
Performance Excellence
Jim Shaw is quick to tell anyone who is interested that
Baldrige is all about "performance excellence." His face may
even turn beet red as he makes the point that Performance
Excellence is Baldrige's number one goal. To prove his point,
oftentimes in those states where an active Baldrige program
exists (45 and counting - a number that does not include
Oregon), the statewide
program includes the Performance Excellence phrase. (For
instance: Washington State Performance Excellence
Organization.). OK also believes in performance excellence,
however the primary difference is the delivery mechanism used.
Baldrige utilizes a number of proven benchmarking procedures
while OK uses peer problem solving teams.
The Enemy of Great Is Good
Jim Shaw loves to quote Jim Collins and his now-famous book,
Good to Great. In that book, Jim Collins (Geez, what is it
about all these Jim's?) makes the earth-shaking statement that
"the enemy of great is good." Which is just another way of
saying that too often complacency sets in once an organization
has morphed into a "good organization," and the journey to
becoming a "great organization" grinds to an unceremonious
halt.
One of the things we've learned about OK is that, with one or
two exceptions, we have not been successful in saving failing
businesses. What we do best is to help mediocre businesses
become good businesses and good businesses become great
businesses. Baldrige, we believe, does the same thing.
Grow or Die
All right, I'll admit it, this is my favorite of all of
business's catch phrases. "Grow or Die" is basically a
philosophy that applies to everything around us, whether it is
the condition of our personal life, our church or our flower
garden. The Grow or Die philosophy means that if it isn't
growing, it's dying. Period. Amen. End of story.
Yes, Grow or to Die, these are your business's only two choices. If it isn't doing one, it's doing the other.
Thus the overriding dual purpose of Baldrige and of OK is to assure that your business continues to grow. That is, that the business (and you, the driver of the business) are continually improving. Thus, if yours is a mediocre business, we'll push you to become a good business. And if yours is a good business, we'll push you to become a great business. That's OK's unstated role in life, and it's Baldrige's too.
As of this writing, our relationship with Baldrige is less than one year old. But it's allowed us to bring another level of business assistance that, when added to what we already provide, allows us to impact Central Oregon's larger businesses and organizations. By so doing, we're able to impact more people. And the more people we impact, the bigger the difference we make.
Which is OK's way of Growing.
Mark Capps - Boomtown
Describe your business.
Boomtown is really indescribable. But I'll try! We are a retail music store gone haywire. We sell gift items, toys, cards and jewelry as well as the best selection of cds in Central Oregon. We try to keep our merchandise fun, fresh and affordable. You can find something for everyone at Boomtown.
How long have you been a member of OK?
1 year.
What have you enjoyed most about OK?
Sharing ideas with other great business people.
What is the top value you and business have received from OK?
Working with a group of passionate business peers. My group is open, honest and focused on keeping its members accountable.
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Mare Shey - Dancin Woofs Compassionate Dog Training
Describe your business:
Through compassion, respect and education, we aim to create a deeper bond between humans and animals. We accomplish this by offering both private and group basic through advanced obedience, agility, behavioral counseling, service and Pet Partner training as well as providing Dog Daycare.
How long have you been a member of OK?
Five Years.
What have you enjoyed most about OK?
I enjoy the relationships developed over time through consistent monthly meetings with fellow business owners sharing insights, exploring issues and exchanging thoughts about possibilities and perspectives.
What is the top value you and your business have received from OK?
Four thoughts come to mind. 1.) A consistent environment where we are held accountable for our dreams and decisions. 2.) A comfortable place to ask questions and hear collective perspectives from a diverse group of business owners. 3.) An excellent place to listen and learn from others in how they approach difficult challenges and decisions. 4.) A time to sit down with others whom aspire to create excellence in their business while providing us with an opportunity to reflect on our past month, reassess priorities and celebrate our accomplishments..
Jody Denton - Merenda Restaurant and Wine Bar
Describe your business:
Merenda is a lively and energetic restaurant and wine bar in Downtown Bend. The menu features rustic, authentic wood fired dishes from Southern France and Northern Italy. The wine program features 80 wines by the glass, the largest selection in the State as well as a bottle list of more than 700 wines. Merenda is one of three restaurants in the state of Oregon to hold the Wine Spectator's "Best of Award of Excellence".
How long have you been a member of OK?
More than 2 years.
What have you enjoyed most about OK?
The sharing of information about what is going on in the business community in Bend and the ability to learn about how others handle their businesses and apply that knowledge to my business. Also, there is not a session that goes by that I don't learn something that I didn't know.
What is the top value you and your business have received from OK?
Through OK, I have learned that the problems and issues that I deal with on a day to day basis are not unique and are strikingly similar to those experienced by other business owners. Learning from that has been an invaluable tool for me in my business.
Allison - Suran - Healing Bridge Physical
Therapy
Describe your business:
Allison Suran, PT, GCFP founded Healing Bridge Physical Therapy in 1997 seeing physical therapy patients out of her home. In 1998 she moved into her first office and has since developed her business to provide the most comprehensive physical therapy services in Central Oregon. Her staff includes 10 licensed therapists who offer a range of services for sports and orthopedic injuries, neck and back pain, post -surgical rehab, senior's care, women's health (incontinence, pelvic pain syndromes and osteoporosis), and pediatrics. From the warm water pool to the Feldenkrais Method, Healing Bridge Physical Therapy has it all.
How long have you been a member of OK?
Allison joined OK 27 in October 2004.
What have you enjoyed most about OK?
I most enjoy working with a top-notch group of professionals who are all highly motivated, energized, and enthusiastic to support one another. I enjoy the blunt honesty that we share to push each other to settle for nothing less than the best!
What is the top value you and your business have received from OK?
I consider my OK team to be my "board of directors." They have done a fantastic job at getting me to be even more serious about my financial statements and business plan. Since I tend to be a "Big Picture" person, their insistence for me to commit myself to the details of the financial foundation has come at just the right time to help my business reach "the next level".
Bob Grim
What is your business background?
Former 11 year NFL Receiver with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Chicago Bears. A long time community member and successful twenty year business owner, as and Anheuser-Busch beverage distributor and currently engaged in Business Consulting, Sports Broadcasting, Public Speaking and National NCAA program Syndications. An informal MBA by trial and error and life experiences have given me business, and people skills coupled with the values and ethics necessary to provide successful mentoring as an OK facilitator.
How long have you been an OK Facilitator?
I have been an OK Co-Facilitator with Jim Schell for four years. I am positive that I have learned more from Jim and our OK 2 members than they have learned from my involvement. We have helped some members, lost some members and actually saved businesses for a member or two.
What have you enjoyed most about being a Facilitator?
The most enjoyable aspect of OK is the satisfaction of helping others achieve their business goals. If we, as facilitators, can help eliminate many of the mistakes we have made and continue to informally educate while promoting new business skills, our job will be successful and rewarding.
What is the best advice you would give to an OK Member?
Best advice, "Life is not a dress rehearsal, you live it once, never stop learning and never ever stop pursuing your dreams".
Central Oregon OK News
Susie Stevens
There's a lot going on this fall with OK. Starting on September 22, OK will again co host with the Bend Chamber the 4th Annual Bend Business Forum. This year's title: "Ready, Aim.......Market," promises to be full of marketing information for everyone interested in growing their business. Please see the enclosed insert for additional information on this event.
We ask that you please make note of the OK Annual meeting scheduled for Oct. 4th from 4-6 P.M. This is no doubt our most favorite OK celebration. It's great for me to put faces and names together and it's a great time for all OK Members, Facilitators and Sponsors to come together to meet each other. This year's guest speaker, Jim Lussier will likely prove to be entertaining as well as inspiring. If you have had the opportunity to hear Jim speak before, you will know what I mean. If you haven't, you're in for a treat. Please see this year's invite and make plans to attend.
As part of the Annual Meeting, we will again recognize one individual as the OK Member of the Year. This award will be given out to the OK Member who has demonstrated the best qualities as an OK Team member. More information and a nomination form will be e-mailed out to each of you. Also, at the Annual Meeting, we will present an OK gift basket to the person whose name is drawn as a result of making an OK referral. The OK Membership Campaign is a year long program that tracks all names of anyone that has referred someone new to OK. The drawing for the winner is then made each year at the annual meeting. We appreciate all of you helping to spread the word about OK, and if you've seen the basket in the past, it's a great prize. This September it will be time once again to ask OK Members for their feedback for the OK Annual Survey. The importance of learning from our customers was discussed at the last Baldrige Workshop Series this past June. I again heard how getting customer feedback can only benefit a business and help with overall improvement. Over the years, we have appreciated hearing from you and as a result have benefited from of your comments. We thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts with this upcoming survey and in helping OK to better serve you.
We look forward to seeing you at one or more of the OK events this fall! And, as always, if we can be of any help to you from the home office, please let us know. We hope to see all of you at the OK Annual Meeting!
OK Continues to Grow
OK is continuing to grow and with that growth we recently were able to add a new staff person which has been a "very good thing." Cathy Wambaugh has joined OK as Special Projects Coordinator and is responsible for OK's IT services in addition to other projects. We are delighted to have Cathy join the OK staff and for providing OK with her strong technical support and experience.
Cathy brings a diverse background which includes engineering hardware support for a high tech manufacturing and engineering firm, running a small home business and various volunteer activities. Cathy holds degrees in Engineering Technologies and a BS in Geology from Portland State University. She has lived in Bend for ten years, is married and has two teenage boys. She is an avid runner and hiker and enjoys the out doors.
OK Best Practices presents:
"Understanding Your Financial Statements To Manage Your Business"
sponsored by WorkSource Oregon Employment Department.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005 7:00-9:00 A.M.
C.O. Realtors Association, 2112 N.E. Fourth St., Bend.
Topics and Presenters to Include:
-
Understanding Your Balance Sheet
- presented by Marilyn Beem, retired President, Orcom. -
The Profit and Loss Statement
- presented by Sandy McGregor, CPA, McGregor & Studebaker, CPA's, LLP. -
Understanding and Forecasting Cash Flow
- presented by Chris Telfer, CPA, Anser. -
Creating Your Key Indicators
- presented by Jim Schell, President of Opportunity Knocks and Author of "Understanding Your Financial Statements."
$25. OK Member / $30. Others Attending
Up to 3 attendees may attend for one price.
*One copy of the book "Understanding Your Financial Statements" 11 Principles for Learning How to Use Your Financial Statements to Manage Your Small Business will be given to each business attending.
Additional copies will be available for $10.00 each
September 22, 2005 7:00-9:00 A.M.
OK and The Bend Chamber of Commerce present the 4th Annual Bend Business Forum "Marketing Into The Future"
$20. St. Charles Medical Center
September 29, 2005 7:00-10 A.M.
Baldrige Inspired "State of Your Business Workshop"
A series of 9 monthly workshops providing a comprehensive self-assessment of your business using criteria from the nationally acclaimed Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Program.
October 4, 2005 4:00-6:00 P.M.
OK's 9th Annual Meeting
Bend Golf and Country Club
October 12. 2005 7:30-12:00pm
The Malcolm Baldrige Quest for Excellence Symposium
The Inn of the 7th Mountain
$95.00 for early registration
October 26, 2005 7:00-9:00 A.M.
Best Practices presents: "Understanding Your Financial Statements"
C.O. Realtors Association, 2112 N.E. Fourth St., Bend
$25. OK Members / $30. Non-OK Members
*One copy of the book "Understanding Your Financial
Statements"
November 9, 2005 7:00-9:00 A.M.
Best Practices presents: "Buying and Selling on eBay"
C.O. Realtors Association, 2112 N.E. Fourth St., Bend
$20. OK Members / $25. Non-OK Members
To register for any of the events or for more information contact:
Opportunity Knocks 318-4650 or email:
Opportunity Knocks Thanks
Thanks to all of our OK Business Sponsors.
Central Oregon Sponsors:
Best Practices Seminars:
WorkSource Oregon, Employment Department
Patrons:
Bank of the Cascades
Columbia River Bank
Community First Bank
LibertyBank
South Valley Bank & Trust
US Bank
Washington Mutual Bank
Partners:
Alpine Internet
BITS
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Opportunity Knocks is serving the following communities in Oregon: Central Oregon, Coos Bay/South Coast, Salem/Mid Willamette, Klamath Falls, and Portland. Also Penticton, B.C., serving British Columbia.
