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