AUGUST 2018
The August edition of Co-op News looks at how the co-operative movement can grow - but also thrive. Plus case studies from the US worker co-op movement, and how co-ops are embracing spoken word to tell the co-op story.
The August edition of Co-op News looks at how the co-operative movement can grow - but also thrive. Plus case studies from the US worker co-op movement, and how co-ops are embracing spoken word to tell the co-op story.
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ISSN 0009-9821<br />
9 770009 982010<br />
01<br />
work together we are at our strongest – proven<br />
by recent lobbying efforts alongside our farmer<br />
members which resulted in Defra announcing<br />
a £10m collaboration fund. As experts in<br />
co-operative advice we help members and nonmembers<br />
thrive by supporting with governance,<br />
HR, membership and financial advice.<br />
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING<br />
UK CO-OPERATIVES?<br />
From a marketing perspective, the biggest<br />
challenge is lack of awareness. We need to<br />
promote co-ops as a viable and ethical business<br />
model in schools, at universities and business<br />
schools. In one of my previous roles we taught<br />
children to cook as a way of encouraging<br />
lifelong healthy eating habits, and in the same<br />
vein we should be teaching young people<br />
and new entrepreneurs to develop businesses<br />
that give back to workers, communities<br />
and customers.<br />
HOW COULD CO-OPS TELL THEIR STORIES<br />
MORE EFFECTIVELY?<br />
There is a lot of jargon and I think we just need<br />
to keep things simple. Every co-op should have<br />
an ‘elevator pitch’, using everyday language<br />
to explain the purpose and values of their<br />
business. People are bombarded by information<br />
and if you really want to stand out, a clear brand<br />
and a few key facts (that really mean something!)<br />
can help to tell your story.<br />
WHERE DO YOU SEE THE UK CO-OP MOVEMENT IN<br />
FIVE YEARS’ TIME?<br />
We should be well on the way to achieving the<br />
aims of the National Co-op Development Strategy,<br />
with the Co-op Economy Report 2023 showing<br />
a larger market share for co-ops. I would love to<br />
see more cross-sector collaboration with co-ops<br />
supporting and procuring goods and services from<br />
other co-ops.<br />
WHICH ACHIEVEMENT ARE YOU PROUDEST OF?<br />
I have been lucky enough in my working life to do<br />
lots of interesting things, including setting up the<br />
UK’s largest network of cooking clubs and being<br />
part of the successful re-opening of Britain’s last<br />
surviving cloth hall. I am excited about the part I<br />
can play in the co-operative movement.<br />
More on co-op growth and marketing, pages 33-47<br />
news Issue #7294 APRIL <strong>2018</strong><br />
Connecting, championing, challenging<br />
APRIL <strong>2018</strong><br />
EDUCATION<br />
Co-op learning:<br />
principle five<br />
in action<br />
Plus ... 150 years<br />
of East of England ...<br />
and updates from the<br />
Co-op Retail and Abcul<br />
conferences<br />
£4.20<br />
www.thenews.coop<br />
<strong>AUGUST</strong> <strong>2018</strong> | 23
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