alternative business models

The Unions and Co-Ownership

The debates and discussion regarding who governs the UK continue, and as yet we still do not know who will be running the country.  My intention was to provide an analysis of the winning party's track record and stated commitment to furthering the cause of employee ownership, but it's not likely that we will have that soon.  The three main UK parties are all committed to increasing coownership, in both the public and private sector, and this commitment appears sincere, driven by recognition that when organisations are run and controlled by those within them, they are more successful and sustai

The dangers of cosmetic mutualism

There was an excellent meeting held in Birmingham yesterday, which brought together a number of individuals interested in promoting coownership within our public services.  It is a hot election topic right now, garnering support from all of the main political parties.   However, there is a fear within the sector of what form this might take.  As Ed Mayo, Secretary General of Co-ops UK, said at yesterday's meeting "Co-ops are cool" but there is a danger that the politicians jump on mutualism as a vote winner, and then go for the quick fix with a rushed implementation.

The meeting was unanimo

Which party for employee ownership?

The media, both traditional and social, is buzzing with opinions on which party leader came out best in last night's debate.  There is a magnetic pull, but we are in danger of being drawn to vote for the personality, with the best presentation skills rather than voting for the policies which will deliver a better, fairer society.  Which party is really supporting employee ownership?

Employee ownership is one issue that enjoys cross party support.  It is difficult to see the negatives.

Why Employee Ownership? Sutcliffe Play's former owner explains why

Robin Sutcliffe sent me the transcript of last Wednesday's "Canteen Talk" he delivered to the company's employees to mark their employee buy-out.  I found it very inspirational and moving, and I'm delighted to have his permission to reproduce it here:

"This is the culmination of a dream that I have had since I was seventeen and possibly earlier, it is truly the beginning of the end of my life’s work.

Sutcliffe Play now owned by its employees!

Last week, Robin Sutcliffe, founder and owner of Yorkshire based Sutcliffe Play, realised a dream.  His dream was  that the company he created would one day be owned by its employees.  As of Friday last week, the employees of Sutcliffe Play own the company in which they work.

"Power to the people" Are the Conservatives talking real ownership?

The Conservative Party launched its manifesto yesterday pledging to devolve power to the citizens of the UK,  David Cameron stated "Collective power will overpower our problems".  Underlying the manifesto, appears a sincere recognition that people closest to the services (employees and service users) are the best placed to own these services.  5% of the local population can call a referendum, and co-ops and mutual ownership will be used to increase efficiency and "drive revenues" in the public sector.

It

Employee owned businesses deserve great leaders

Baxendale are delighted to announce the launch of a leadership programme, specifically designed for leaders in employee owned businesses.  This is very much a joint venture with Kellogg College's Centre for Mutual and Employee Owned Business based at Oxford University.  Details of the programme can be found here

Leadership is tremendously important in companies owned by their employees.  Indeed, if you look around the employee-owned community, there is a wealth of excellent leaders; Ali Parsa at Circle Health, Chris Parr at Tullis Russell,

Mutual Ownership - let's find the best way.

Two bald men fighting over a comb, is how Eddie Mair described the debate between the two main political parties on the topic of mutualism in the public sector.

Employee ownership offers significant economic and social benefits

There was an excellent turnout at what was a very stimulating event in Glasgow on Friday last.  The event was a business breakfast and the topic was employee ownership.  Sarah Deas, Chief Executive of Co-operative Development Scotland and one of the key drivers of the current wave of interest in employee ownership in Scotland, explained why Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise were actively promoting the business model.  The fact is employee ownership provides a stable, successful and sustainable business model which keeps jobs, skills and money in the economy.

Chris Par

The winning case for employee ownership

The case is closed and the argument that employee ownership is better for business has been won.  That was the message from last night's launch of a new report looking at research to date on employee ownership.  You can read the full report here.

The key findings are that

• Greater employee ownership could bring economic and social benefits to both the private and public sectors in the UK.
• Employee ownership improves employee engagement, innovation, sustainability and productivity

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