Bonham & Brook’s Post

Great to join the #CoopParty Cooperative Change conference on Saturday, where a new 'Cooperative Councils Development Toolkit' was launched... which included research co-authored by me, John Lever and Gareth Downing. Our research focused on the impact of #cooperative businesses, and we contributed a report, ‘Evidence of Cooperative Business Impacts – A Realist Perspective’ to the toolkit, which is published by the Cooperative Councils Innovation Network (CCIN). Our report addressed claims that there is no strong evidence about #coopbusiness impacts, and wider social benefits of #coops are likely to be small and difficult to measure. We take a #Realist perspective and explore *how* - not if - cooperative businesses make an impact. By building explanation and developing insight, we provide councils with a broader evidence base with which to assess the wider effects of cooperatives. Sincere thanks to Jonathan Nunn from Kirklees Council who commissioned us, and whose work on developing the toolkit got a big shout out at the conference. The pictures show: Jim Robbins, newly elected leader of the CCIN launching the toolkit with Jim McMahon MP and Emma Hoddinott from the coop party; and me John and Gareth in the sunshine outside #coop headquarters at One Angel Square, where the conference was. Our work is under the ‘what’s the evidence for cooperatives’ tab - at the Councils’ Cooperative Development Toolkit, available here: https://lnkd.in/esUpRdHm

🤩 The community-owned business sector is in great shape! 📈 We saw a 4% growth in new businesses in 2023, whilst over the last decade that number has almost doubled. 💚 We are proud that, due to the dedication of people in communities, and with Plunkett's support, the long-term survival rate of businesses stands at 9️⃣2️⃣%. 👀 Read more statistics like this, and success stories from community businesses across the UK, by downloading our new Impact Report. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e32RWU_3 #combiz #communityownership #sectorgrowth #impactreport #charityimpact #charitystrategy

I was privileged to have the opportunity to say a few words at today’s Cooperative Party Change Showcase at Angel Square in Manchester, the home of Coop Group. Here’s what I said: “Fellow co-operators and friends 249 years ago workers in newly industrialised Birmingham were drinking in the Golden Cross Inn, complaining to the publican, Richard Ketley, about their appalling housing conditions and rip-off landlords. Ketley suggested that instead of buying another pint, they put the money in a jar, start a savings scheme, buy some land and build their own homes. They did, and the building society movement was founded. So as well as being United Nations International Year of Co-operatives, 2025 will be our 250th birthday. And we can all celebrate with the opportunity of a lifetime. With the help and support of Joe Fortune, the Co-operative Party, parliamentarians, our fellow co-operative and mutual associations and all of you, we have secured this UK Government’s commitment to doubling the size of the co-operative and mutual sector. Thank you all. From the smallest worker co-op to the largest retailer; from housing to agriculture, the arts, finance, technology and care to community shops and pubs, we all now have a challenge. To offer Government co-operative and mutual solutions to their agenda, their challenges, their issues. This ten year programme of renewal, this plan for growth should be a co-operative and mutual led period of renewal and growth - for the benefit of our country, our communities, our society. We have spent ten years campaigning for building societies, credit unions and financial mutuals to be at the heart of the future of UK financial services. In the coming ten years co-operative and mutual businesses should be at the heart of the whole UK economy. Our Government can help by including us in their policy and decision making processes; by updating co-operative and mutual legislation where we need it; and by providing access to pools of genuinely co-operative and mutual start-up and growth capital. We must then deliver the growth. That is the role of business. That is our job, whether as businesses or supporters. I hope you are all as hungry as I am to deliver our side of the deal”. #BuildingSocieties #CreditUnions #CooperativeParty

As the Fannin County Development Authority (FCDA) looks toward the future, and addresses various opportunities and challenges, we want to take the opportunity to acknowledge the progress made in the past year. We remain focused on our mission to support local businesses while also working to attract new, desirable business partners.              Among the highlights:                1). With support from local entrepreneurs and county leaders, we launched an upgraded new website: fannindevelopment.com, which includes a new logo and updated branding of our department.                2). We worked to improve communications efforts across the board, building stronger working relationships with county and regional stakeholders.               3). We established an FCDA board, identifying mutual goals and objectives while developing a strategic plan for the long-term success of the county and its residents.               4). We worked to strengthen relationships/partnerships with a variety of local entities, including: ·      The Blue Ridge Chamber of Commerce ·      The Downtown Business Authority ·      Fannin County Leadership, Board of Commissioners ·      University of North Georgia ·      Fannin Regional Hospital Questions we are addressing, with the help of local leaders: § How can we attract the type of new business that will provide desirable jobs for graduating students who want to remain here, while providing new opportunities for our current workforce? § What infrastructure improvements do we need to prepare for future needs? § How will we manage growth to expand business opportunities without sacrificing the rural charm or natural beauty of Fannin County? § What can be done to provide more affordable housing? § How can we continue to improve communications while building new partnerships with local and regional leaders?

So uplifting to see so many LOCAL SOCIAL ENTERPRISES getting the recognition they deserve at the Awards, now all they need is more business, more understanding of the complexities of WISE and more multi-annual funding in their specific impact categories so they can continue to scale their IMPACT with solutions that have been proven to work. #socialenterprise

CoBuilders is a partnership-enabled initiative that would not be possible without the support and efforts of our eight partners spread across the state of Mississippi. These esteemed partners include the Oxford/Lafayette Economic Development Foundation, Higher Purpose Co., Mississippi State University E-Center, The Community Development Foundation, JSU/The Bean Path, MSU E-Center Vicksburg, Mississippi Polymer Institute, and The Meeting Place. Together, our partners host a regional pitch event where a minimum of $7,500 in cash prizes is awarded. Entrepreneurs selected to pitch at these events are automatically considered for inclusion in the main cohort. This main cohort consists of up to 10 companies, each receiving a minimum of $25,000 in the form of a SAFE investment. Moreover, participants benefit from invaluable mentorship and gain access to resources that significantly enhance their entrepreneurial journey. https://bit.ly/3GlDNYp

Register today for the 3rd Talk To Me Series Discussion: What's the main Idea?! on April 22, 2024 from 11:00 AM-12:30 PM. Registration Link: https://lnkd.in/gg-SC59t The MEDC will be hosting four Michigan Main Street communities to talk about their process of becoming involved and the current outcomes. What are the main challenges facing downtown areas today? How can these challenges be addressed to ensure the continued vitality of downtowns? How are communities using the MMS Four Points to further cultivate real estate and small business entrepreneurs to impact revitalization in their communities? Collaboration among local, state, and regional partners presents an exciting opportunity to encourage and invigorate downtown communities. By fostering alliances between various governmental bodies, businesses, community organizations, and residents, a powerful cooperation emerges—a collective effort to ensure the strength and vitality of downtown areas. #MichiganEconomicDevelopmentCorporation #MEDC #MiPlace

Shout out CEED Alumni, Jason Wolfe, BA, B.Ed, for this amazing feature!! Keep making those strides in the entrepreneurial community 🙌 Check out the article below 🌟 https://lnkd.in/dVG8xJpD

Last week, Addleshaw Goddard and Headway Capital Partners hosted our very first Independent Sponsors Forum, aimed at private equity sponsors pursuing a deal-by-deal approach.   We welcomed nearly 120 sponsors, investors and others in the ISP community to our London office for an afternoon of insightful panel discussions and presentations covering a range of topics including the market opportunity, challenges of capital raising, legal and commercial terms and practicalities of getting deals done. Not to mention, plenty of networking over drinks and nibbles!   Over the past few years, we've certainly got the impression that this operating model is gaining momentum and the recent Financial Times article supported this. But the demand for this event exceeded our expectations and we had to scramble find additional seats on the day – not to mention the positivity and enthusiasm from our guests who in many cases had flown in specially for the event.   A special thanks to Christiaan de Lint, Ulrich Hardt and Zoe Yeo (née Karkaletsos) from Headway Capital Partners and Jan Grüter, Laura Uberoi and Mike Hinchliffe for helping to organise the event as well as our other panellists who shared their knowledge and experiences.   Look out for some more key insights posted from members of the team over the coming weeks. Please reach out to me ([email protected] or Jan Gruter ([email protected]) if you want to find out more about what we are doing in this space. #independentsponors #onedealatatime #readysteadygrow #privateequity #fundlessGPs

Last week's Tech Thursday featured Christa Hill from Tacit-Edge and other Calgary-based founders discussing the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship and parenthood. Here are the highlights: 👉 Balancing Priorities: Know which tasks are crucial (glass balls) and which can wait (rubber balls). Prioritize what truly matters, like family time. 👉 Entrepreneurial Freedom: Founders have the flexibility to balance work and family, setting a supportive company culture while staying connected to the mission. 👉 Tech Industry Challenges: Raising funds as a parent in tech can be tough due to biases against those with young children. 👉 Managing the “Second Shift”: Find your most productive times and be present with your family, especially during key moments like bedtime. Read the full blog to dive deeper into these insights and learn how to effectively balance family life while building a successful company.