Planning and organizing the business

Marty Frost's presentation from the 2007 Annual General Meeting.

FactSheets

The following factsheets provide a general overview and guide to selected topics in co-op development.  They are suitable for those people that need to answer a particular question quickly or need a fast overview of a particular topic.  These factsheets are also suitable to be distributed in hardcopy as part of a literature rack or as a resource to clients.

Co-op market research.

The URL below will take you to a link with a downloadable copy of the recording of this tele-learning session, which last approximately 90 minutes. The attachment, also below, will take you to a summary transcript of the session.

A generic job description form.

A document about co-op feasibility.

 Excerpt:

Co-op Feasibility

Written by Russ Christianson

All right, you have already completed the Co-op Self-Assessment.  If you still feel confident that a co-op business is the right thing for you and your group, the next step is to investigate its feasibility.  A feasibility study involves gathering, analyzing and evaluating information with the purpose of answering the question:  “Should the co-op go into this business?”

A comprehensive presentation by MCE Conseils of Montreal on capitalizing a co-operative, given at the CWCF 2005 Conference.

A presentation on pricing for profit from the CWCF's AGM 2006.

The purpose of this Guide is to help you navigate the financial planning and marketing process for your co-op.

There is really no distinction between what your business plan and/or financing proposals need in order to get approved by financiers and what your co-op needs in order to succeed. As a general rule: whatever is of priority to potential financiers is also important for your co-op’s business success.

CorNu Enterprises has provided a comprehensive business development tool written for busy people.  Although there is a cost associated with each module, one can choose only that which is required.  

A guide to the business resources available through the Government of Canada.

A How-to guide for starting a co-op in Ontario under various conditions

 Excerpt:

• WHAT CO-OPERATIVES CAN DO FOR YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY 
• For many years, Ontarians have used co-operatives as a way of combining their energy, skills, and resources to reach shared goals and fulfil common needs. People form co-ops to: 
• ! Lower the cost of business supplies and consumer goods. Because business service co-ops and consumer supply co-ops buy in bulk, members benefit from lower costs on everything from food to fertilizers. 
• ! Start their own businesses and create their own jobs. Worker co-ops are enterprises owned and operated by their employees. Worker co-ops can be formed for any business purpose, from carpentry to film production. 
• ! Get better prices for products and services. By forming marketing or producer co-ops, people can earn more from their products and services by selling directly to the public. These co-ops also help producers lower their marketing and distribution costs. 
• ! Obtain convenient, reasonably priced child care. Child care co-ops give parents an important role in shaping the care of their children. 
• ! Find affordable housing and have a chance to help make the decisions about the upkeep of their homes. 
• The co-operative way of doing business and providing services is guided by some basic principles: • ! Open, Voluntary Membership: Anyone who can use a co-op's services and is willing to accept the responsibilities of membership may apply to become a member. 
• ! Democratic Control: Members have an equal voice in running their co-op. Each member has one vote, no matter how much he or she has invested, and only members may vote. 
• ! Limited Return on Capital: Since the main purpose of co-ops is to provide goods, services or jobs for their members, people do not generally invest in co-ops for speculative purposes. By law, co-op shares may appreciate in value only to a limited extent.
• ! Co-operative Education: Co-ops are committed to educating their members and the general public about the co-operative way of delivering services and doing business. 
• ! Co-operation among Co-operatives: To encourage the growth of co-ops, co-operatives and co-op organizations actively develop local, provincial, national, and international networks. 

Business plan guide for the agri-food sector

A list of examples of business plans for various types of businesses.

A series of business plans are provided with informational notes attached.

Co-ops By Design is a clearly written guidebook, with a focus on BC, designed to help you help yourself. It takes you through the process of developing your co-op, from forming your core group, to developing your business plan, to starting your co-op operations.