Values make a differencein business
Russell GillHead of Membership
the Co-operative Group
Co-operativeTrust
Schools
The Conventional Model
• A Company – an association of capital – a coming together of money
• Purpose – to provide a financial return to its investors• Not immoral – a logical place to invest• But amoral – values have a place only if they help the
bottomline
A Co-op – A Different Kind of Business
• An Association – a coming together – of people to meet a need they have in common
• Shared Co-operative Values– Self help– Self responsibility– Democracy– Equality– Equity– Solidarity
Co-operative Values in Action
• Treating members EQUITABLY by how we share our profits
• Taking RESPONSIBILITY for the impact of our business by addressing the challenge of climate change
• Operating a business which is DEMOCRATICALLY controlled by its members
• Championing Fairtrade, showing SOLIDARITY with producers from the Developing World
Co-operative Values in Action
• Live up to the challenge set by Robert Owen and the Rochdale Pioneers
• A sustainable business model?
Virtuous Circle
Social Goals
Competitive Advantage
Commercial Success
For the Co-operative Group
• Voted UK’s most ethical brand two year’s running• Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainability• Record profitability• Record distributions to members, employees and the
community
• A business which shows that putting ethics – co-operative values – people first really pays