Financial risk will be addressed in the financial section but there are other risks: hiring management, lack of membership growth, etc. Describe what steps you will take if the critical issues do not turn out as you wish. Identify the critical issues that may be outside of your control that are needed for success – bank support, community acceptance and support, finding experienced management, etc. Describe what you can excel at doing to compete – knowledge of market, knowledge of industry, membership loyalty (the Co-op advantage), know how to make money, management team. Describe the key factors of success that are within your control and how you will use those – strong leadership (Board), experienced management, industry savvy, community owned business in a time of people supporting their communities, management team economic issues, fresh foods focus, local, etc. Break out membership indicators (# of members each year, equity, member benefits, member involvement, et.) and explain why these things will occur. Include the foundation for Co-op success such as membership growth, sales growth, margin management, expense control, focus, education and outreach, community owned business model, etc. Focus on the next year but show approach over 5 years. Highlight key assumptions used to accomplish vision. Additional services, greater community penetration, new programs, etc. A page or two narrative on where you intend to take the Co-op over the next 5 yrs.Describe all potential competitors’ strengths and weaknesses and how they will impact the Co-op. Anything impacting the Co-op’s ability to do normal business. Description of relevant trends in the natural foods industry, cooperatives, and trade area. Description of trade area (usually taken from market study). Equity investment structure, current total and expected equity at opening. Legal structure (incorporation), number of member-owners currently and expected numbers by opening. One page on how the Co-op got to this point: How/who/why it was started (vision), bringing it up to this time. (Not in detail, that comes in the plan itself.) Highlight key information from the plan-who you are, what you are going to do, why and how it will be financed.
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