Needs and Opportunities
Co-operatives often form when there is a need or an opportunity. For example, the owners of a company, business or factory may be selling or closing the business and the workers will lose their jobs. The workers may decide to buy the business and run it themselves.
NEEDS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Before you go any further you must be sure that your idea addresses a need or an opportunity. For instance, if a group of people need work you could create a worker co-op, which provides jobs for its members. Remember that your worker co-op, in order to be successful, must provide a service or product for which there is also a need or market.
A need: Often communities lack certain services or products.
A co-op can be formed to provide the needed service or product.
An opportunity: Sometimes changes in the community or workplace create new possibilities for services or products. Co-ops can be formed to use these opportunities.
If particular products are not available to you in your immediate community, a consumer co-op could be formed to access them. The same applies to services. Your community may lack cultural or recreation services. A co-op may be organized to provide these. Wherever there is a need or an opportunity, you may be able to develop a co-operative in response.
Considerations:
- Does you co-op serve a need or respond to an opportunity?
For you, your members or you community? - Talk it up. Communicate our ideas and feelings. Make sure everyone knows what the process is, what direction is being followed and that you have a common goal
- Learn about co-ops, co-operation and credit unions and enterprise development. There are resources available
- What tasks or jobs will each of your members have? Make sure each person has a clear role or task during the development stages.
Starting a business can be difficult - try not to get discouraged! It takes time and dedication but starting a co-operative can be very fulfilling. Working with a group of people is challenging, but you will also find support within your group.
