How can we use the formula for cooperation to give Manchester a competitive advantage?

1. Innovation Manchester Boardroom:
The Formula for Cooperation
"An autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to 'We need to be more assertive about
meet their common economic needs and aspirations through what we have to offer. We need to
work harder to inspire more
a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise."
entrepreneurs to consider the
co-operative option and convince
The Formula of Cooperation, for more information please click here: consumers that we are modern
businesses offering first rate products
and services.
Co-operation lies at the
heart of all collaborative We also need to raise awareness of
the ethos of co-operatives and the
achievement. Three many positive benefits that supporting
elements are essential for co-operatives will bring. The current
recession and the loss of faith in
successful co-operation traditional business models provides
the co-operative alternative with an
Latest Figures excellent opportunity.'
The Rochdale Pioneers Peter Marks, Chief Executive of the
Society Latest figures from Co-operatives UK
Co-operative Group
The cooperative movement was born reveal that co-operative businesses in
in Greater Manchester. In 1844 the the UK have pushed up their
Rochdale Pioneers Society was combined turnover by some 15.8% to
established, starting a period of almost £34 billion - during the same FC United - Making Friends.
phenomenal co-operative growth. period UK GDP decreased by 4.9%. Not millionaires.
Based on their eight 'Rochdale rules', The figures show that the UK has The club set up in
including distributing a share of profits some 4,992 jointly owned, democrati- protest to Malcolm
according to purchases that came to cally controlled cooperative Glazer's takeover of
be known as 'the divi'. businesses, which together reported a Manchester United" is a
combined performance of £33.5 billion statement often used to
and the number of co-operative describe FC United. But while there is
members (ie owners) surged by 14% no doubt that FC would not have hap-
to 12.9 million people (over one in five pened without the American invasion,
of the population). Co-operatives now it was the catalyst, the final straw, but
sustain over 237,000 jobs in the UK. not the sole reason.
The material theft of a Manchester
For more information click here institution, forcibly taken from the
people of Manchester, was the tip of a
pyramid of destruction, with changing
kick off times for the benefit of
television, soulless all-seater stadia full
of 'new' supporters intent to sit back
and watch rather than partake in the
occasion, heavy handed stewarding
and ridiculously priced tickets propping
Michael Moore On Workplace it all up.
Co-Ops
By May 2005 some supporters had
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C3 had enough. The failure to prevent
LJ_uO3lY Glazer and repeat the successful
repulsion of Rupert Murdoch in 1998
http://www.isthmuseng.com/ resurrected a 'last resort' idea from
that previous campaign and the FC
http://www.alvaradostreetbakery.com/ United wheels were put in motion. A
group of individuals determined to
The film is: continue the fight formed a steering
http://michaelmoore.com/books- committee and FC United of
films/capitalism-love-story Manchester was delivered.