Principle 6: How can we trade together
If you have not read the blog post related to this survey, it can be found here:
http://workerco-operatives.blogspot.com/
This is a quick survey looking at the views and experiences of co-operatives trading together, what do you do, would you like to to more, what would help.
Your Details
Name of co-operative
Email Address
Just in case you say something interesting I want to follow up.
Type of Co-operative
Not a co-operative
Worker
Consumer
Consortia
Community
Multi-Stakholder
Member of Co-operatives UK
If you don't and want to get more involved in the movement get in touch!
No
Yes
Type of business
Food wholesaler/retailer
Other Retailer
Design, Print & Communications
IT Services
Creative Arts
Business Consultants
Co-operative Development
Utilities - telecommunication, energy
Other:
How much annual trade do you do with other co-operatives
Buying or selling directly.
None
<£1000
£1000 - £5000
£5000 - £10000
£10000+
Business Referrals
You are a printer, a customer mentions they are updating their website, do you refer them to another co-operative that offers this service?
Do you ever make business referrals to other co-operatives
No
No, but would if i could
Yes, but only with co-ops I know very well
Yes I actively work to promote fellow co-ops
Do you ever receive business referrals from others
No
Yes, but not from co-ops
Yes, but less than one a month
Yes all the time
Main barriers to doing more business referrals
Not the issue
Slight issue
important but not major
Major issue
Not motivated enough to do it
Don't know which co-ops to refer to
Don't know which co-ops are good or bad
Don't know how to refer business
Its not quick/easy enough to do
Would be of no benefit to our business
More detail
If you want to give more details on above, or other issues not metioned
Joint ventures and marketing
This includes formal agreements to promote others services (like our deal with the phone coop) or working together to jointly deliver contracts.
Have ever done joint ventures, or other mutual trading deals
If No please skip the next question.
Yes
No
Briefly describe the joint venture or trading deal
What was the key issues making it a success or failure
What are the main barrier to doing joint ventures with other co-operatives
Not the Issue
Slight Issue
Important but not major
Major issue
No business case for investing time/money
Can't think of any opportunties
Don't know what other co-operatives can offer
Don't have the contacts with other co-operatives
Other co-operatives not interested
More Detail
Any more detail on above or other issues not mentioned
How can we Improve trading together
What would make the most impact
Not useful
A little useful
A bit more useful
Very useful
Regional networking events
Regional/National Trade Fairs
Events to promote and to learn how to refer business to other co-operatives
Improved www.uk.coop, for searching co-operatives by products/services, location
Website to discuss trading ideas & opportunities
Please explain your views on the above in more detail.
Think out of the box, what could we all do to really get Co-operatives trading together.
Should we set up an eacdemy or bni? Just get on with it and start finding out about other local co-ops?
Co-operativesUK is developing a business networking site, would you be interested in helping us test its functionality?
If yes, please provide email address above
Yes
No