My Two Bits
by Tewanee Joseph CEO, Tewanee Consulting Group tjoseph@tewaneegroup.com
Field of Dreams
A Metaphor for Aboriginal Business Field of Dreams staring Kevin Costner. Who over the age of 35 hasn’t seen that movie? Most of us have, but since statistically half of the Aboriginal population is under the age of 30, let me break it down for you. The basic plot goes something like this. While walking in his cornfield, novice farmer Ray Kinsella hears a voice that whispers, “If you build it, he will come,” and envisions a baseball diamond. Although his wife is skeptical and most of his family – with the exception of his daughter – believes he is mentally unstable, Ray builds the baseball diamond anyway. And in this case the ghosts of Shoeless Joe Jackson and other storied baseball players do come, and eventually the public as well. You might be asking what does this have to do with business? What could this possibly have to do with Aboriginal people? To me, it
is clear. It reminds me of the many outrageous and borderline ideas I heard during my eight years on the Squamish Nation Council. As well as the crazy and just plain weird pitches I had to endure during my seven years as the CEO for the Four Host First Nations preparing for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Although the bad outweighed the good, there were certainly many exceptional ideas that we successfully persued. Admittedly, I am as big a dreamer as you will find – but I am also realistic about the hard work and diligence required to fulfill a dream. We need Aboriginal Entrepreneurs to dream big, but more importantly, to plan big. I have witnessed that the most successful projects follow some basic rules. Develop a clear vision that defines what you want to do or create, or the service you wish to
provide. Make it as specific as possible; Set realistic objectives that must be achieved in order to realize your vision; Determine the core deliverables required to attain those objectives; Define an action plan including strategies and tactics, budget, schedule, key activities and human resources; Implement your plan, adjusting it and making refinements along the way as circumstances dictate; Regularly measure/monitor your performance against your objectives to ensure that you’re staying true to your vision. Kinsella’s wife may have let him pursue his dream on a whim but mine certainly won’t. So keep this in mind – without a realistic and well thought out plan backed by hard work, a field of dreams is only a field. And that’s my two bits.
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Bellstar Hotels & Resorts congratulates Aboriginal Marketplace Magazine on its launch Bellstar Hotels & Resorts and Spirit Ridge are proud to share in the business goals & vision of the Osoyoos Indian Band. Bring your next meeting to the master-planned NK’MIP Resort and Conference Centre. The 5 star Osoyoos accommodation of Spirit Ridge is perfectly situated within reach of desert golf, a luxurious spa, on-site winery, and many unique cultural experiences. This spectacular location offers the ultimate Okanagan vacation experience.
Email stay@spiritridge.ca, visit www.spiritridge.ca or call 1-877-313-9463 to book! 6 Aboriginal Marketplace / March 2012