General Guidelines for Success

• Keep your focus
• Keep members informed and involved
• Build strong member leadership and commitment
• Set realistic goals and assumptions
• Conduct businesslike meetings
• Follow sound business practices
• Base decisions on market research rather than opinions
• Create a comprehensive business plan
• Use advisors and committees effectively
• Forge links with other cooperatives
• Identify and minimize risks
• Maintain honest, open communications
• Invest in member, board and staff education
• Hire competent management
• Raise sufficient capital
• Establish a realistic market entry strategy
• Make sure you have enough product to sell to a large enough market to make money