Co-operative Business Consultants

CBC is a growing network of advisers. We offer learning and progression opportunities for a new generation of co-operative development specialists. In particular we aim to unlock the potential for peer support from members of trading co-operatives. 

Our intention is to grow a network of advisers using modern open governance and internet based communications. CBC does not have offices or other significant overheads. Our open network governance ensures CBC is guided by those who are most active, and maintains our commitment to communicating the co-operative version of organisation and enterprise. 

CBC has two categories of involvement: Members and Associates. Each category has different levels of benefits and responsibilities. 

CBC Members

Members have full and equal voting rights in Co-operative Business Consultants Limited, an Industrial & Provident Society co-operative.  

CBC Member Benefits

1. CBC marketing and representation activities aim to benefit all members. These activities include: networking, website, Twitter, newsletter, tender and bid writing, events and training courses.
2. Members have the right to use a CBC e-mail address and have their CV and contact details included in CBC publicity materials, including the CBC website.
3. Members can interact directly with regional consortia working with the Co-operative Enterprise Hub (CEH), on behalf of CBC. Members can deliver CEH funded advice, in regions where CBC is a consortium member.
4. CBC is a member of Co-operatives UK, so CBC members have access to CUK member benefits such as legal advice and discounts on events.
5. Members can expect to be offered first refusal on sub-contract work from other CBC members, unless there is good reason otherwise.
6. Members benefit from an equitable share of any distributed surpluses. 

CBC Member Responsibilities

Members of CBC are expected to meet the 'job description' below throughout their membership. A member is expected to be self-managing when acting as a CBC consultant, as they would in their own right.  

A CBC member is expected to:

1. Work regularly as a CBC consultant
2. Take responsibility for their own work (including holding Professional Indemnity Insurance and Public Liability Insurance)
3. Communicate openly and honestly with other members (on issues such as other business interests or competitive tendering opportunities)
4. Take an active part in decision-making, including at regular Management Committee meetings (currently held by Skype every six weeks)
5. Respect and heed communications from other members
6. Market, promote and represent CBC and its members
7. Share the collective management and work of the co-op including electing and fulfilling CBC positions (such as chair, secretary, treasurer, communications, etc).
8. Seek and accept responsibility within the co-operative
9. Seek and undertake learning, training, professional and personal development in order to be a more effective member
10. Work collectively for the good of the co-operative as a priority (including offering work to fellow CBC members)
11. Exercise legal powers and duties as a Director of CBC
12. Contribute equitably to the running costs of CBC (currently, CBC commission is 2% of work gained through CBC, with a minimum contribution of £100 per year) 

CBC Member Eligibility and Process

During the membership selection and review process, existing members look and ask for evidence against the member job description above and consider the total net benefit to CBC. Applications – by CV and covering letter - to become a member are accepted or rejected by the Management Committee. Further clauses may be found in the Rules, available upon request.  

CBC Associates

CBC offers associates a progression route to full membership (although this is optional). An associate may operate as a sub-contractor to a sponsoring member who retains responsibility, and an agreed management fee, for the work done by the associate. The 'sponsoring member' works with the client and the associate to ensure the work is done appropriately.  Some associates may only work occasionally for CBC. However, for those working more regularly, it would be reasonable to expect that they would apply for membership after several months of collaboration as an associate. 

CBC Associate Benefits

1. Professional development, access to CBC expertise and support.
2. Consultancy work experience (level 1).
3. Supervised, paid, sub-contracted work from CBC members (level 2).
4. Paid consultancy work for the Co-operative Enterprise Hub, subject to agreement from consortium partners within the relevant region (level 3).
5. Invitations to CBC members’ meetings and support for CBC membership application. 

CBC Associate Responsibilities

A CBC associate is expected to:

1. Secure and maintain the support and sponsorship of a CBC member
2. Work regularly as a CBC associate
3. Take responsibility for their own work
4. Communicate openly and honestly with CBC members (on issues such as other business interests or competitive tendering opportunities)
5. Respect and heed communications from members
6. Market and promote CBC and its members
7. Seek and accept responsibility within the co-operative
8. Seek and undertake learning, training, professional and personal development in order to be a more effective associate
9. Contribute equitably to the running costs of CBC (currently, CBC commission is 2% of work gained through CBC, with a minimum contribution of £100 per year) 

CBC Associate Eligibility and Process

An associate would normally be someone who has valuable relevant co-operative business experience and skills, but little or no experience of practising as a co-operative business adviser. Applications – by CV and covering letter - to become an associate are accepted or rejected by the Management Committee.  

Associate progression and levels of support 

Level 1. Voluntary consultancy work experience

An associate learns from a sponsoring member of CBC: for example, by sharing documents and emails regarding a client, attending meetings with a client, talking with the member about a client, etc. The associate makes a small net contribution to the consultancy delivery.  

Level 2. Paid, sub-contracted work

An associate delivers consultancy work with a client under close supervision from a sponsoring member of CBC. The associate makes a reasonable net contribution to delivering consultancy with a client, for example by email, phone or face to face. The sponsoring member pays the associate 50% of the appropriate consultancy fee.  

Level 3. Paid consultancy work for the Co-operative Enterprise Hub

An associate delivers consultancy work with a client under supervision from a sponsoring member of CBC. The associate takes lead responsibility to deliver consultancy with a client. The sponsoring member pays the associate 80% of the appropriate consultancy fee.  For associates to work at this level, CBC will seek prior agreement from CEH consortium partners within the relevant region. Associates willing and able to work at this level will have their CV and contact details included in CBC publicity materials, including on the CBC website.