The Case for Co-operative Intelligence!

1. The Case for Co-operative Intelligence! Nick Matthews: Chair UK Society for Co-operative Studies

2. The Potential : Zen-Noh Worlds Largest Co-op: Turnover $US56 billion

3. Knowledge is Power Never has the UK movement been so rich in data. Smaller number of retail societies. Better quality questions.

4. UK Society for Co-operative Studies Publishers of an International Journal jointly with Canadian and Irish Co-operative Studies Societies. Network of advocates for Co-operation from academia and the sector. UK Academic Co-op Sector very small. Function of mutual incomprehension!

5. What do we want from Co-operatives UK today? Core tasks for 2012 and beyond… Co-operative Advice. Co-operative Collaboration -networks and people. To Campaign for Co-operation. Co-operative Intelligence. Co-operative innovation and growth.

6. Co-operative Performance The key tool is the Co-operative Performance Monitor. Health Risks: “Comparison on past performance, but not an in-depth analysis of the current context or future prospects of individual societies.”

7. Business Performance A lot has happened since 1844. Need new benchmarks against competition in sectors in which we operate. Customised to match up to the business mix of individual societies. Co-op comparisons are useful but we are not in competition with one another! Need to benchmark with best in class!

8. International Comparisons • We are not alone. • Excellent examples of good co-operative, performance & innovation from overseas. • Has to be captured in ways that UK societies can use.

9. Case Studies of Successful Business Innovation Now Co-op Societies have regained their confidence new business opportunities are being seized. Good case studies can help spread best practice.

10. Co-operative Performance II – Best practice in being Co-operative! How can we be better co-operatives? Need good case studies on member and staff engagement & democratic practice. Spreading ideas and best practice.

11. Developing Co-operative Intelligence • We need to invest in turning our data into intelligence. • Based on CPC to design appropriate research and to commission it. • May involve independent researchers rather than Universities! • Better intelligence means better quality decision making means better business.

12. We need to be more Intelligent for when the World Comes to Manchester • Expo 2012 Manchester • Plus Co-op Congress • A Week of Article 6 • Huge chance to learn!

13. The case for better research KPIs and KCESPIs Alex Bird www.consultancy.coop

14. PIs • Performance Indicators • We can all come up with Performance Indicators, but……………. • Key is the word • Look for those indicators that reflect performance in other areas…….. • If profit is good, then chances are efficiency is too

15. CESPIs • Co-operative, Social, Environmental Performance Indicators • Can have Key Indicators as well – KCESPIs • If Membership turnover is low, chances are they’re happy with the offer – or too apathetic to leave!

16. Researching KPIs & KCESPIs • Consider what Indicators are relevant to you • Consider if any are Key Indicators • Key Indicators help to find a way through a sea of data • Choose a researcher who understands the subject as well as how to research • Set a budget and timetable that make sense • Be open about budget – do you just want the cheapest researcher?

17. Researching KPIs & KCESPIs • Qualitative versus Quantitative Data • Quantitative is so much easier to analyse • Look for patterns (correlations) in data • Tables and graphs can help • Correlation does not indicate a causal relationship • Only knowledge of the subject can identify that • You may not end up with QED standard proof

18. Researching KPIs & KCESPIs • Qualitative Data can be revealing • Need to ask Open Questions to avoid driving the answers – risk of bias • Qualitative Data analysis needs an understanding of the subject • Objectivity is hard to achieve • Difficult balance between teasing out issues and driving the answers

19. Researching KPIs & KCESPIs • If possible Questionnaires should be tested beforehand • Web or telephone research is lower cost, but….. • Researchers need to use their eyes and nose • People often give the answers they think you want to hear • When questioned about community facilities people always say they’d like a gym or swimming pool – but then they go to the pub!

20. Reporting • Needs to be comprehensive to give credibility to the research • Needs to be short and sweet so ordinary people can understand • Needs lots of big words and references to satisfy academics • So…..consider who and what the Report is for, before its written

21. Researching KPIs & KCESPIs Any questions?

22. Co-operative Performance: the case for better research A view from applied academia Rob Rowlands Centre for Urban & Regional Studies, University of Birmingham

23. Knowledge is power, Mr Watts

24. The “Flawed Imagination” • The funding of research changes its nature • Narrows rational and effective options • Evidence is the goal: • Expectations of outcomes • Is often used politically • Open to challenge by those who don’t like its implications • Findings become steered • Together undermine an objective approach

25. Drivers Opportunity & Environment Politics Enquiry Commission on Co-operative & Mutual Housing Inputs Testimony Research Opinions Outputs Knowledge & Insight Confirmation of Beliefs Bargaining Power