Co-op Management in Practice (CMiP)

Building on our experience and excellent feedback to date, this course will enable participants to develop their understanding of the distinctive nature of successful co-op businesses. The focus will be on supporting future co-op managers/ section heads in acquiring and developing innovative approaches for leading and managing co-ops in an increasingly competitive environment. In addition to providing training in the basic knowledge including co-op principles and the co-op business model, the course will look at the manager role and identify those qualities demonstrated by those who are most effective.

This highly regarded course has been delivered by SAOS since 2014 and will also include discussion of current issues and challenges and will provide a unique forum for sharing ideas and experiences between participants from a range of co-ops.

Who should attend?

The course is designed for new or future co-op managers and/or section heads to acquire and develop innovative approaches for leading and managing co-ops in an increasingly competitive environment.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course participants should be able to:

• Define and explain the co-op business model, what makes co-ops distinctive and the “co-op advantage”
• Be able to describe co-op values and the 7 principles of co-operation
• Explain the co-op life-cycle model, its 5 phases and the value of the model
• Appreciate the challenge and importance of effective member engagement and communication
• Describe a co-op’s member proposition and how to measure and report it
• Explain what effective co-op governance looks like and why it is important
• Have an improved understanding of good management, how co-op businesses are changing and the sector's future challenges

Course Facilitators

The course will be delivered by SAOS co-op specialists and will include presentations, participative exercises, case studies, discussion, and guest speakers to create a hugely engaging and informative two days. Our three specialists have a wealth of experience in co- op development and are widely regarded as the foremost farm co-op experts within the UK: Bob Yuill, Director Smart Rural, Robert Logan, SAOS Head of Co-op Development and Jim Booth, SAOS Co-op Development Director. 

Bios

Bob Yuill – Director Smart Rural 

Bob is from a family of dairy farmers at Biggar and tomato growers at Stonehouse in Lanarkshire. He cut his teeth in agriculture at Ellimoss dairy farm near Baillieston and in Canada managing sheep imported from Scotland. After college he set up and managed Financial Control Services Ltd, a farmers’ co-op carrying out farm budgets throughout the North East of Scotland, after which he became a farm and estate manager at Invermarkie and Itlaw farms in Aberdeenshire.
During his 20 or so years with SAOS he has developed a deep practical knowledge of co-operative management, governance and finance. He provides confidential advice to co-ops on an ongoing basis and has contacts around the world concerning co-operative development and management. Bob is also widely regarded as an expert on farm co-ops within the UK.

Robert Logan - Head of Co-op Development

Robert has 18 years producer-extension and consultancy experience having travelled and worked across the UK, Europe, USA, and Australia. He has been with SAOS for five years and now leads delivery of SAOS’ co-op governance and development services. Our focus being on producer co-operative board governance, training, and member engagement programmes, and to help drive data and sustainability projects. Robert is part of several leadership groups and is currently company secretary for three of our member producer co-operatives. Prior to joining SAOS, he was most recently Senior Business and Livestock Consultant at SAC Consulting, being FAS Animal Health and Welfare delivery lead, and editor and major contributor to technical and business publications. This role also entailed large retailer led and industry stakeholder initiatives, producer group facilitation, benchmarking, business strategy and budgeting.

Jim Booth - Co-op Development Director

Current responsibilities include supporting co-operative business development, which involves providing a range of services including; board governance, strategic reviews, board effectiveness, conducting members’ surveys, feasibility studies, risk management and change management. Jim has also been heavily involved in the Scottish Monitor Farm Programme since 2007, having facilitated 8 Monitor Farms over that period and several farm business benchmarking groups. Developing capability lies at the heart of many of these initiatives. Jim has a wealth of experience in delivering business consultancy services both in the UK and overseas. He is a qualified trainer with many years’ experience delivering training to farmers, farmer directors and co-op managers on a variety of business topics. Prior to joining SAOS he worked for SAC in a variety of roles; agricultural adviser, college farms manager, lecturer in business management and latterly as a senior consultant. He holds an MSc in Supply Chain Management, MBA and a BSc in Agriculture.

A key element of the course is the inclusion of two guest speakers - a current co-op manager and co-op chair who will share their experiences with the group. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear first-hand from people at the sharp end of co-op business. More info on these to follow. 

Cost: Members  - £550 plus VAT

For more information or to sign up for this course, contact: 

E allison.watson@saos.coop  M 07548215669