The inside scoop on outside help: Outside co-op development specialists play crucial role for business launch

摘要

On paper, the concept of what a cooperative is and how a co-op operates is fairly basic. But successfully developing and launching a co-op — while not rocket science — can he complex and daunting for those who have never been through the process. Any number of obstacles can derail a promising co-op in its formative stages. A skilled, outside advisor (or agent) can play a critical role in the development process. Advisors need to wear a number of hats, but there is no universally accepted qualification skill set. We in USDA Rural Development who provide technical assistance to co-ops try to regularly update the skills of our development specialists to keep pace with the evolving economy and technology.