Business Planning Pitch Practice - Co-op Creator

Early Stages

How to start a co-operative: a step-by-step guide Creating an action plan What a steering committee is and does Choosing a business structure: A questionnaire How to name your co-op: a by-province guide Transitioning a Business to a Co-operative Co-operative Shareholders and Governance Choosing a Co-op Type Hosting a Community Meeting Focusing Ideas for Your Co-operative Co-operative Business Model Comparison with Other Models Building Consensus

Incorporating

A Guide to writing Rules of Association in BC Guide to Writing a Financial Plan

A Guide to writing co-op bylaws in Manitoba

Guide to writing Bylaws in Saskatchewan

Guide to Federal Bylaws

Incorporating a co-op in Western Canada — a provincial comparison Incorporation time frame Articles and bylaws (video) Choosing a name (video) Why should you incorporate your co-op? (video) Shaping your Co-op’s Identity Incorporation Checklist

Business Planning

Do a PESTLE Analysis How to find new co-op members How to create a governance structure Creating a Preliminary Budget — A Guide Building a Business Model Canvas Risk Identification and Management Legal Risks for Co-op Start Ups Why create a business plan? (video) Roles and Responsibilities Business Planning Pitch Practice Allocating Surplus in a Co-operative Business Co-operative Shareholders and Governance

Financing

How to handle share capital in a co-op Debt vs Equity (video) Tax Treatment of Co-operative Businesses Ongoing Capitalization Guide to Writing a Financial Plan Financing your Co-operative Business Budgeting and Co-operatives

Up and Running

Three AGM Resolutions Every Co-op Needs for their Annual General Meeting What you need to know for your first AGM How to Waive an Audit Creating a Terms of Reference Creating a Strategy Plan Creating a Human Resources Policy Free Online Governance Course Creating a Conflict of Interest Policy Board of Directors Evaluations Board Member Recruitment Board Decision-Making Exercise

A Guide to Co-operative Insurance How to Read Financial Statements Keeping track of members in a co-op Everything you need to know about managing records Board Governance Tips for Indigenous Co-operatives Member Engagement and Onboarding Guidelines for co-operative elections Filing your Annual Return Co-operative Annual General Meetings Ongoing Capitalization Allocating Surplus in a Co-operative Business

Additional Resources

Co-ops and charitable status

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Business Planning Pitch Practice

One of the big challenges co-operatives have in their developing stages is selling the idea of their business to partners, funders, and the public. It is important to create a business plan that outlines the various components of your business’s operations, but it is critical to get people excited about your product. This may sound like an intimidating prospect, but business planning pitch practice can be a fun way for a co-operative’s leadership to refine the concept of their business in a meaningful, engaging way.

What is a business pitch?

If you’re familiar with the television show Dragon’s Den, then you’ve seen many aspiring entrepreneurs perform business pitches to potential investors. Many business associations and entrepreneur training forums host these exercises as a fun and engaging way to talk about their businesses and build the skills and confidence to make pitches.

Many entrepreneurs will refer to this as an “elevator pitch” because you should be able to make the pitch in the time it takes to ride an elevator with a colleague. Time and precision are important factors, so here are some important things to consider when developing your business pitch:

Consider the customer: operating a business is all about creating a good customer experience; if you can incorporate a customer’s perspective into your pitch, people will be better able to connect.
Make it accessible: most people will not be familiar with the technical jargon involved with your business so it’s best to avoid complicated terms and explanations.
Discuss your structure: being a co-operative is an important component of your business, one that will contribute to its sustainability and experiences.
Make it relevant: businesses are always evolving and people will be more engaged when you talk about what’s currently happening.
Incorporate your business plan: draw on key items in your business plan, highlight your financial performance, talk about your competitors, and differentiate your product.

Business planning pitch practice is a group activity

Set up your own Dragon’s Den (or a more realistic version). Gather some of the co-operative’s leadership and assign roles for individuals to embody as you take turns providing a pitch about your business. Some roles may include a customer, a shareholder, a potential investor, or a financial institution. Give your pitch in three minutes then switch roles with someone. Record what worked and what didn’t work to build a perfect pitch for your co-operative.

Enjoy this tool? Then check out our video on creating a business plan or our blog on the importance of a business model canvas.

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