Goal 1: Balance the budget by April 30, 2009.
Measure of Success: On Profit/Loss Statement, the Net Income equals zero or is positive on last business day of the month, after wages, taxes, rent, and expenses are paid, and there are less than $2000 in outstanding invoices.
Strategy 1: Maintain or increase gross profit.
Tactic 1: Increase sales.
- Track what sells best, what products receive the most requests, etc. Revise inventory accordingly.
- Implement a sales rack and offer regularly-issued coupons, product promotions, etc.
- Develop a process for special/case orders.Implement “spend $10/week” campaign.
Tactic 2: Fundraising.
- Develop a “sustaining members” membership drive as a means of raising additional funds. Strictly voluntary, these funds would increase equity, keep co-op solvent for next 3 months and help pay down debt.
Tactic 3: Ensure inventory-on-hand meets member needs.
- Develop process for recording and tracking members’ requests for products. Revise inventory as appropriate.
- Use brief questionnaire at register to assess member needs.
Tactic 4: Increase the total number of memberships.
Strategy 2: Reduce expenses.
Tactic 1: Monitor sales/man-hour.
Tactic 2: Maintain good working relationship and clear communications with Bank of Idaho, our landlord and other creditors.
Tactic 3: Evaluate methods to increase donated goods and volunteer participation.
Tactic 4: Evaluate using member loans to decrease total loan interest expense by accelerating payoff of higher interest bank loan.
Goal 2: Increase member and community awareness of and participation in the Co-op’s retail and programmatic offerings by April 30, 2009.
Measure of Success: Establishing a minimum of 1 platform for interactive communications with and among members, facilitating a minimum of 2 monthly events for members, and advertising the co-op through a minimum of 2 diverse media sources.
Strategy 1: Improve communications with the membership.
Tactic 1: Optimize email communications to members (utilize a mail server or email marketing service, if necessary.)
Tactic 2: Finish and implement website.
Tactic 3: Create a message board located in the co-op for use by members. Consider email forum or mail server for communication among members.
Tactic 4: Publish a bimonthly (once every two months) newsletter, with recipes and note from general manager.
Tactic 5: Describe the State-of-the-Co-op; send to members in January (discuss need for more member involvement/sales, provide board contact information, etc).
Strategy 2: Offer programs, events, classes, etc. on a regular basis.
Tactic 1: Schedule a monthly member buying night at the Co-op.
Tactic 2: Solicit and facilitate member-offered events, classes, discussions, demonstrations, etc.
Tactic 3: Partner with other non-profits and community organizations for events, classes, demonstrations, etc.
Tactic 4: Provide networking and information on sustainable life-style choices for members.
Strategy 3: Develop a marketing/advertising plan.
Tactic 1: Provide weekly fliers about products.
Tactic 2: Publish a bimonthly (once every two months) newsletter, with recipes and note from manager (also relates to Strategy 1.)
Tactic 3: Develop business partnerships.
- Customize discount exchanges with down-town and other relevant businesses (MarCellars, Vino Rosso, Great Harvest, the Center Theater, Defining Line, etc.).
- Advertise at Community Garden classes (Saturday morning).
Tactic 4: Offer weekly or bi-weekly coupons for discounts and/or specials.
Tactic 5: Improve use of regional and local media outlets (newspaper articles, ads, radio spots, interviews by local TV news, etc.).
Tactic 6: Develop a brochure or general-information flier for general use and distribution. Include the membership application in it.
Strategy 4: Increase visibility of co-op in community and downtown.
Tactic 1: Tint window; paint logo on window.
Tactic 2: Identify opportunities and develop process for employees, co-op members, and board members to participate in upcoming events.
- Develop a power point presentation package for store manager & board member use.
Tactic 3: Use sidewalk sandwich board to highlight current specials and events.
Tactic 4: Decorate the store front window seasonally.
Goal 3: Develop a long-term, comprehensive plan for the continued success and growth of the co-op, by April 30, 2009.
