SEPTEMBER 2018
The September edition of Co-op News looks at how co-ops cab maintain co-operative values and principles while operating in competitive markets and how this can be a challenge for large co-ops. We examine current research into what influences a co-op’s take on the traditional values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.
The September edition of Co-op News looks at how co-ops cab maintain co-operative values and principles while operating in competitive markets and how this can be a challenge for large co-ops. We examine current research into what influences a co-op’s take on the traditional values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.
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ehaviours. Having understood the ambition, the<br />
council will review through the Co-op Compass<br />
how these ethical policies are embedded.<br />
The council also has a role to review and<br />
comment on the society’s sustainability plan. This<br />
area of the Co-op Compass will be developed to<br />
reflect the Group’s ambition.<br />
CO-OPERATIVE LEADERSHIP<br />
The council is a champion of Principle 6 and<br />
is keen for the society to play an active role in<br />
the national and international co-operative<br />
conversation. The Co-op Compass currently<br />
monitors our colleague engagement and also<br />
the value of trade with other co-operatives.<br />
Further KPIs are to be developed within this<br />
theme but success will be a broad recognition<br />
of the society’s participation and connection in<br />
the co-operative movement, whether through<br />
campaigning, trading, or other means of support.<br />
The Compass identified some measurements<br />
for those aspects of performance and<br />
governance which are at the heart of<br />
co-operation. They have allowed the council to<br />
prioritise those areas which are key to members.<br />
It’s been heartening that the ideas that emerged<br />
from the Compass have quickly resonated<br />
with a variety of audiences. The Compass is<br />
simple to understand, but at the same time<br />
operates on many levels, providing focus and<br />
flexibility in how it can be applied. It has created<br />
a common language to link co-operative<br />
difference and Values and Principles with<br />
business strategy and performance – and<br />
distinguish the co-op difference.<br />
The development of the Compass drew on<br />
learning from many co-ops. In this spirit of shared<br />
learning, with agreement, the core concept<br />
and design (excluding the specific KPI’s) were<br />
shared with Co-operatives UK’s Co-operative<br />
Performance Committee (CPC) and Governance<br />
Forum, linking to other work being developed.<br />
Co-operatives UK’s recently published Narrative<br />
Reporting: A Framework and guidance for<br />
co-operatives developed by the CPC drew on<br />
the Compass’s work as part of its own review of<br />
best practice.<br />
The council recognises that after successful<br />
rebranding, the re-launch of the member<br />
proposition, and major re-investment, the<br />
forward plan under the banner of ‘Stronger<br />
Co-op Stronger Communities’ will be our<br />
ambition in the years ahead. Great progress has<br />
been made and the council is so pleased we’re<br />
on the front foot again on campaigning.<br />
‘“STRONGER CO-OP<br />
STRONGER COMMUNITIES”<br />
WILL BE OUR AMBITION IN<br />
THE YEARS AHEAD.’<br />
THE COUNCIL<br />
DISCUSSES MEMBER<br />
VALUE WITH<br />
GROUP DIRECTOR<br />
STEVIE SPRING<br />
<strong>SEPTEMBER</strong> <strong>2018</strong> | 45
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