‘Tis (Always) the Season for Co-ops to Give Back
As more co-ops track Impact Metrics about their healthy food access and community giving programs, interesting trends about their amazing generosity have emerged.
Oneota Community Food Co-op: Smart Changes for Big Results
Today’s rapidly changing marketplace requires food co-op managers to be nimble and make critical decisions amidst changing conditions. There is tremendous pressure on general managers to develop strategy with consideration to finance, marketing, operational processes and project management. Learn how Oneota Community Food Co-op’s manager found ways to re-imagine the store without adding any square footage.
Co-op Sustainability: Planet, People, Prosperity
Sustainability is a natural fit with co-op culture, and increasingly, co-ops are formalizing this long-standing ethos into organized programs with goals, measurement and reporting.
Reinvestment Through Stronger Earnings
The cold facts: Reinvestments can only be deferred for a while before it hurts the customer experience and the co-op’s ability to compete. Low or no sales growth is going to continue or — if we face a recession — perhaps even worsen in the years to come. The only way forward is to finance reinvestment the old-fashioned way: through earnings.
Solve the In-store Signage Riddle
Signage struggles? Take advantage of NCG’s cohesive, turnkey signage catalog featuring customizable design files to promote items in your co-op.
What Does Your Phone Answering System Say about Your Co-op?
Customer experience is a priority in all aspects of our work, and that includes providing the best possible service when people call the co-op. But what about co-ops using an automated answering system, and what happens when a customer is put on hold?
Orientation Is More than Just Paperwork
Starting a new job can be an exciting time for both the new employee and co-op staff. It’s opportunity to start the conversation about job expectations and demonstrate what great customer service looks like.
Developing Staff on the Job
Every person working at a co-op deserves professional development opportunities. Here are three effective and cost-efficient ideas.
Streamline Local Sourcing with a Local Vendor Guide
“Local” is intrinsic to co-ops. Yet, it’s challenging to source and carry local products. Where do you start? And how can you set expectations for working with local vendors?
Ready, Set, GMO! Preparing for USDA Bioengineered Food Labels
Have you seen one yet? Though at times GMO labeling has seemed a distant prospect, new mandatory labels are finally here and will be visible soon on a product near you.
