Enterprises that Change Lives

Millions of people worldwide are members of mutually-owned enterprises that can positively change their lives. Together, they control their self-help enterprises (SHEs), such as cooperatives, credit unions, mutual insurers, building societies, friendly societies, community enterprises, and many other types too. This distinctive form of enterprise help members to get a better deal by intervening in the market in their best interest, while providing an organization that exists to serve them, helping them, their families and communities to build a better future. SHEs work for people with widely differing needs; for example, marketing produce, supplying farming inputs, getting healthy food at fair prices, accessing financial services such as credit and savings, insurance and mortgages, providing decent housing, health, and care services, maintaining shops, pubs, and transport in their local area, or by managing their workplaces.
This book explains how, in the 21st century, to run SHEs that achieve their purpose and meet the real needs of their members. It specifies the model of enterprise required, set-out the systems and the culture needed to ensure that they are fully effective. The book doesn't advocate doctrinaire approaches; it provides essential concepts and tools that transform how to organize and manage SHEs. The intention is to help leaders think-through the issues involved so that they can make better decisions, for, without the proper organization and systems, it's highly unlikely that even the most enthusiastic leader will make a success of their enterprise. The model of enterprise furnished takes account of centuries of international know-how and encapsulates the 'foundation practices' that sustain this form of enterprise and is designed to ensure self-help enterprises focus on achieving their real purpose and work in the best interest of their members. The book also explains why individuals, communities, and nations need SHEs if they are to prosper, and what policy-makers, community-developers, and academics can do to help grow and sustain them.

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