GENERATING IDEAS

Defining the coop business

OBJECTIVE

• Getting deeper into their coop business ideas and define the business better
• Make participants more aware of work needed to set up a business
• Make participants understand what it it takes to make collective decisions

HOW TO USE IT

1 explanation at the board + 2 group exercises + 1 podcast to listen to outside the workshop

KEY QUESTIONS

• What exactly do I need to define in order to set up a coop business? Check this Guide for further help (IT)
• What are the areas of relevance in mapping the coop business?
• What is the best way to get to a map/canvas if we have to decide all
• together?
• See questions tied to BMC
• How do we decide who is going to do what within the coop business?
• How much money do you think will go around your coop business?

PROCESS

1. Have everyone sit in circle + Set out a whiteboard with markers, ask circle to give feedback about podcast + provide definition of Business Model Canvas and explain how it works by showing projection
2. Divide group into smaller 3-persons groups shuffled from last time + Have them work on the business ideas from previous exercise building the Canvas+ Provide and explain Key Questions + Have them present their BMC to the bigger group (refer to MGT Step 3 Generating business ideas pg. 19) + have everyone vote on best BMC + give out first prize to the winning group (star made of coloured paper)
3. Keep the 3-persons group + give instructions for the next exercise, i.e.: create the internal organization, who is going to do what according to which criteria + have them explain the internal organization to the bigger group (refer to MGT Step 4 Planning the business pg.20) + have them listen to Startup podcast 5 episodes as homework (here's the podcast - EN) - refer to this Guidebook for further knowledge on the theme (EN)

DURATION

• 15 minutes feedback from podcast + 25 minutes explanation of BMC
• 15 minutes explanation of Key Questions + 60 minutes group work on BMC + 7 minutes each group to present their BMC + 10 minutes voting and awards+ 10 minutes general feedback from ambassador

BREAK (10 minutes)

• 5 minutes explanation of Key Questions related to group dynamics + 60 minutes group work on internal organization + 7 minutes each group to present their internal plan + 10 minutes general feedback from ambassadors

EXPECTED RESULTS

1. Participants understand the complexity of a (cooperative) business
2. Participants understand how to face organizational issues within a cooperative business
3. Participants learn how to build a budget starting from a clear organization of the business, hence they are ready to delve into business planning

RESOURCES NEEDED

• 1 whiteboard + markers + large sheets of paper
• Sheets of coloured paper + scissors + tape
• Tables or mats to carry out group work
• Large print out of BMC to tape to a wall
• Mobile phone to show how to use podcasts
• Having had a look at this Guide for care cooperatives in case groups were interested in this sector (EN)