Expand your knowledge to include less common and innovative approaches to business and governance.

When it comes to setting up a new organisation, or supporting others to do so, all legal frameworks, whether private, mutualistic, or charitable, are a response to some simple questions: Who should own it? Who should benefit from its value? And who should make the decisions? This Alternative Business Models short course will enable you to choose the most appropriate model based on how you answer those questions.

Delivered in partnership with Co-op Culture’s team of advisors, this training is designed to increase knowledge and capacity around alternative business models used by co-operatives and community business, including the support landscape and the key differences in delivery of support to groups adopting alternative business models.

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Short course programme

This training is delivered online over three x 3-hour sessions:

5 June 2024 - Introduction to Alternative Business Models

An introduction to alternative business models and how they can be supported. You'll leave with:

• Knowledge of alternative business models proven to work in the UK economy
• An understanding of the similarities to, and differences from, more “conventional” business models
• A knowledge of the support landscape available to alternative business models
• An understanding of approaches that are effective when supporting groups adopting alternative business models

12 June 2024 - Deep dive: Governance & Legal Models

Delve into the legal structures and governance used by organisations with alternative business models. You'll leave with:

• A knowledge of the range of governance models used by organisations with alternative business models
• An understanding of the difference between legal form and organisational type
• An understanding of the factors affecting the choice of legal form

19 June 2024 - Deep dive: Finance

Explore the novel and innovative finance available to organisations with alternative business models.

• A knowledge of the types and sources of capital are available to businesses in the UK
• A knowledge of the different business finance options available to organisations using alternative business models
• An understanding of how the legal form of an organisation can affect the finance options available
• An understanding around how to chose the best types and sources of finance when using an alternative business model

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Who is it for?

• Anyone who wants to learn more about alternative models and their relevance to the organisations they are already supporting.
• Anyone supporting organisations in the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector.
• Anyone involved in policy and/or business support who wishes to expand their knowledge to include less common and innovative approaches to business and governance.