In celebration of International Day of Cooperatives, Cooperatives for a Better World (CFBW) has released a new Work4Coops video. As more and more statistics confirm people’s desire to work for purpose-driven companies, this video highlights the values-based and people-centered work that is happening at cooperatives across a myriad of industries.
The International Labour Organization and the World Bank estimate that the global labor force encompasses 3.4 billion people, and approximately 10 percent, or 340 million people, are directly employed by or get their main source of income from co-ops. This new video both reaffirms for current employees and shares the message with people searching the job market that co-ops are more than perks and culture—they are inspiring, mission-driven businesses driving positive outcomes for their members, employees and communities.
“Given the proven impact co-ops have in growing a more inclusive economy through member-ownership and providing people with purpose-driven work, co-ops should be the employer of choice, the business model of choice for entrepreneurs today,” said Howard Brodsky, chairman of CFBW.
The video aligns with this year’s global theme for International Day of Cooperatives, Co-ops 4 Decent Work, and shares messages that cooperatives are a better kind of business where people come first, where employees are empowered to make a positive difference in the world and, in a growing number of cases, where people benefit from member-ownership of their work place. These defining qualities that differentiate the co-op business model from the conventional corporate business model position co-ops as a desirable workplace, as well as a unique structure for entrepreneurs to utilize to ensure more people benefit economically and socially from the businesses they are connected to.
“The positive impact and influence co-ops can have on the world is exponential. Our big job is to make sure more people know and understand the co-op model,” Brodsky added.
Cooperatives play a growing role in the global economy. There are 65,000 co-ops in the U.S. alone, and 2.6 million unique cooperative businesses in the world with over 1 billion members.
The Work4Coops video is a collaborative project between Cooperatives for a Better World and NCBA CLUSA member CCA Global Partners. Cooperatives for a Better World is the organization behind the “What If…Cooperatives” campaign collaboration with the International Cooperative Alliance and 14 country partners, and the “We Are Cooperatives” video that premiered at the International Summit of Co-operatives in 2016.
CCA Global Partners is the 14th largest retail cooperative in the world, operating as a co-op of co-ops with 15 separate business divisions in industries from flooring and home improvement, biking and sports retail, to childcare and nonprofit shared services. As one of many co-ops for decent work, CCA Global spends every day supporting its members—independent business owners in four countries—with better pricing, cutting-edge technology, shared services and more so each independent business owner can concentrate on delivering the best goods, services and local job opportunities in their communities. CCA Global supported this project in effort to help all co-ops share their identity and pride in providing decent and purpose-driven work across the country and around the globe.
For more information on using this video, to request an interview or make a general inquiry, visit www.betterworld.coop or call +1 (603) 628-2396.