It's not a computer, it's not a new touch-tone phone system. It's not even fancy. But it can do a lot for communications within your co-op-and it's cheap to operate.

While I will throw in my two cents on the debate as to why the food cooperative movement is achieving far less than its potential, let me be clear that my primary purpose in writing this is to iden

Most food co-ops -- from the smallest to the very largest, including wholesale operations -- don't realize how bad their bylaws really are.

Why implement an inventory control system? For one thing, it can reduce the cost of running your business. Furthermore, it can improve customer service through lower out of stocks.

Who are we marketing to? Who is our primary competition? What is the demographic profile of the population that is inclined to shop in our stores?

In these times of tough competition, your store depends on repeat customers for survival. Giving great service not only keeps present customers but will create new customers as well.

All too frequently, retail co-ops concentrate on lofty concepts involving things such as global food distribution ethics while overlooking the basics.

Many co-op leaders resist attempts to define a "co-op market." A survey that describes food co-op shoppers as young, well educated, nutrition conscious, and ecology oriented, would be rejected as e