COOP-Course

A two-day course on the effective use and valorization of the Cooperative Life Cycle.

On 16 and 17 June 2016, the Commodity Risk Management Expertise Centre (CORMEC) will organize a two-day executive course for management and board members of European cooperatives.

Course Objective

Every cooperative goes through a cycle of phases, instrumental in determining cooperative health. As the membership becomes more diversified and more heterogeneous, the organisation will need to properly adjust services, policies, resolutions and practices in order to sustain value for itself and its members.

The course revolves around interaction, sharing and building of knowledge and skills, all within the framework of maximizing value on the following subjects:

• Strategic Planning
• Board-Management Relations
• Leadership and Executive Development
• Conflict Resolution
• Cost Analysis
• Resource Allocation

For over 30 years, Prof. Dr. Michael L. Cook from the University of Missouri has taught his highly acclaimed “Life Cycle Approach” executive education program for cooperatives. More than 400 firms – including Land O’Lakes, Dairy Farmers of America and Fonterra – have trained their senior management and boards of directors.

In 2016 Michael Cook will visit Europe and will adapt the course for European cooperatives. The Life Cycle Approach is characterized by an interactive and hands-on methodology, as executive participants will immediately recognize the situations and problems sets at hand, and will gain insights on how to deal with them in a tactical and strategic manner.

Michael Cook will, together with Prof. Dr. Ir. Joost M.E. Pennings, provide participants with a greater understanding and suggestions for solutions and success on the following topics:

• Heterogeneity within the cooperative membership.
• How cooperatives can benefit from their unique structure to successfully compete with investor-owned-firms (IOF’s). ‘The characteristics of cooperatives enable them to meet the requirements of doing business in the future’.
• The use of the instrument of Tinkering” (tactical readjustment), and how this can be applied to the participant’s organization in order to capitalize on this level of adaptability and create value for the coop and its members
• Other important topics and problem sets include: performance measurements, allocated equity, preferred stock, free rider / horizon / portfolio issues, residual claimant constraints and residual control.

Information and registration

To register please contact The Commodity Risk Management Academy at +31 (0)55 843 48 79 or send an email to Commodity Risk Management Academy

It is possible to register until 1 April 2016 on a first come, first served basis. The course has a maximum of 28 participants, so please respond promptly.