The following services are provided by CDI to new co-op start-up projects on a fee-for-service basis. CDI can assist in securing grant and loan funds to support the development process. Select projects may be eligible for reduced-rate services under a USDA Cooperative Development grant.
Members/owners of the Putney Food Cooperative in Putney, VT
Education and Training Programs
CDI is recognized nationally for its leadership on cutting-edge topics and for its ability to organize events where participants learn something new together. Through leadership and development programs for boards, managers and staff delivered in regional meetings, conferences, workshops and study tours, we bring people together from different cooperative industries to share wisdom, generate new ideas and find new strategies for addressing common problems.
CDI offers a full range of education and training programs designed to help your staff, board and members work together effectively to bring more benefits to your members and strengthen your bottom line. CDI can customize training programs to meet your co-op's specific needs or representatives from your co-op can attend open-enrollment programs designed for managers, staff or boards of directors.
See a list of CDI educational and training programs.
Consulting Services
CDI’s consulting programs bring expert support to start-ups and exiting cooperatives. Drawing from our expertise in business development, market research, marketing, organizational development and learning systems, we give clients support to accomplish the business goals they set for themselves.
Creating an organization that functions effectively and learns quickly requires systems to help all stakeholders understand, evaluate, analyze and improve individual and business performance. Regular planning sessions, reports and consultations ensure co-op members own and control the development process.
Whether working with a start-up steering committee or the Board and staff of an exiting co-op, CDI will help you develop systems to enhance worker satisfaction, business outcomes and customer delight.
Start-up Services
CDI provides complete project management services to co-op startup projects. We can help with:
- organizational development
- feasibility assessment
- business planning
- strategic planning
- market research
- new product development
- financial systems
- job desriptions
- communications
- accounting
- consultant and staff oversight
- board training
Project Management
CDI offers project management services to new co-op startup projects, from strategic planning, communications, facilitation, and accounting to consultant and staff oversight. Regular planning sessions, reports and consultations ensure co-op members own and control the development process.
Legal Support
CDI has created a strategic partnership with cooperative legal experts who have vast experience working with cooperatives across the country. They can help get your cooperative started with needed legal documents including incorporation, by-laws and membership agreements.
You can also get assistance navigating your cooperative through tax, anti-trust and securities laws. Our legal staff can help existing co-ops with equity agreements, by-law changes and other legal issues.
Financial Systems Design
CDI can assist you in analyzing your financials, setting up your books and developing your financial systems.
Partnership Building
Other cooperatives, companies, and organizations in your area are in a position to provide valuable support to your cooperative. CDI can help you analyze your options and build strategic partnerships to ensure those relationships work well for you.
Membership Development
Members make a cooperative. Member buy-in in the initial development stages of a new cooperative is critical for the cooperative's ongoing success. CDI can help you design communication strategies, effective meetings, and project plans that build membership ownership and help members decide what control they need and what they need to delegate. Co-ops across the region have experimented with many membership development strategies. Learn what has worked and what hasn't and benefit from CDI's membership development expertise.
Fundraising/Financing
CDI, a tax-exempt 501(c)3, can help you obtain grants and low-cost financing.
Marketing and Public Relations
A strong marketing plan identifies where and how you will market your goods and services. Emphasis is placed on educating your market about who you are and what you p roduce. Target markets are identified and analyzed. A strategy for reaching those markets is clearly identified. Promotional materials and advertisements can be produced to help you market your goods and services.
A strong public relations campaign can strengthen your cooperative by helping you build relationships with future members, organizing partners, government entities, financial partners, employees and vendors.
CDI can assist you in developing communication systems that ensure your members and staff (once they're hired) all have the information they need to participate in the start-up process.
Web Page Design
CDI can help you get on the web inexpensively by editing a simple template to fit your needs. It can present information about your co-op, your products and services, and your members and facilitate discussion of important issues facing your cooperative.
Graphics Support
Production support for advertising, company brochures, direct response, corporate identity, newsletters, package design, presentation materials, product sales literature, and trade show booth design is also available.
Strategic Planning
Key to your survival is a dynamic, agile strategic planning process.
Utilize CDI's strategic planning resources to ensure you have:
the most up-to-date competitor analysis
access to leading experts in targeted industries
latest market research
an inclusive process that builds on the best thinking of your key stakeholders and identifies a clear direction for the future
Human Resource Support
Programs can be developed for your cooperative to help create a supportive and efficient workplace for staff including:
Staff Policy Manual
Job Descriptions
Organizational Charts
Performance Evaluation Systems
Pay System, Benefits Package
Education and Training Programs Design
Recognition and Rewards
Team Building
Innovation
Board Resources
CDI offers programs that help your cooperative board add value to your organization each time they meet:
- Model Board Policy Outline
- Board Development trainings
- Board Planning & Evaluation Tools
- Effective Board Meeting Facilitation
- Board/Mgmt Relations: Synergy or Tragedy?
Organizational Development
Organizational Evaluation and Strategic Planning
Performance Assessment and Development
Role analysis
Succession Planning
Leadership Development
Supervisory Skills
Business Development Services
CDI works with exisiting cooperatives to strengthen and expand operations. Services include:
- market research and development
- feasibility study and strategy analysis
- business plan development
- financing support
- product and service development
- start-up operations planning and support
- business expansion
- board training
- conflict management
