A co-op is a unique form of enterprise that requires a different approach to development. Since it is both a businessand an association of people, the co-op's success will depend on how well you build the foundations for each of these two dimensions of the enterprise.
The development process is not an easy one, but the good news is that hundreds of thousands of groups throughout the world have successfully launched their co-ops and are thriving in the marketplace. Lessons learned from these co-ops have helped create the basic road maps to success.
There is no single co-op development guide that will answer all of your questions, but we have gathered the best online guides and tools that currently exist in Canada and other countries. We will continue to add new links as they become available.
After reviewing the material here, we suggest that you check out the Co-op Advisory Servicesavailable in your region or sector. By connecting with these associations, you can get practical help for co-op development and you can link up with other co-ops that may be able to help you as well.
The links below lead to a wide range of tools and advice that will help you get your co-op started and ensure its success over the long term.
