Co-operatives and Mutuals Strategic Development Program

Strengthen the sustainability, performance and long-term resilience of your co-operative or mutual enterprise.

This program offers a deep, focused exploration of the unique dynamics of member owned organisations and provides practical tools to address the strategic challenges and opportunities you face.

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What to expect

The Co-operatives and Mutuals Strategic Development Program (CMSDP) is designed specifically for leaders working within member owned organisations. Created by Winthrop Professor Tim Mazzarol, a leading authority on the co-operative and mutual sector, the program reflects extensive research into the distinct needs of this business model.

While many management programs address general organisational challenges, few speak directly to the realities of co-operatives and mutuals. These organisations share similarities with investor-owned firms, yet their governance structures, capital distribution, voting rights, human resource approaches, communication and marketing practices, and strategic purpose all require a specialised understanding.

The CMSDP is available in two formats. The three day face-to-face program offers an immersive environment with rich discussion, peer learning and real-world examples. The virtual six module program provides the same content in a more flexible format for participants who cannot travel but still want to deepen their capability.

Across the program, you will explore the factors that drive sustainability and competitive strength within co-operatives and mutuals. You will examine governance models, understand legislative and regulatory frameworks, analyse market dynamics and consider the strategic role of member loyalty and engagement. The program is designed to help you evaluate your organisational context and apply insights to strengthen performance and resilience.

Is this course for you

This program is ideal for leaders and professionals working within co-operative and mutual organisations who want to strengthen strategic capability, improve organisational performance, and deepen their understanding of the member-owned model.

This program is suited to individuals who:

are executives, board members, senior managers, or emerging leaders in co-operative or mutual organisations
are responsible for shaping strategy, governance, finance, marketing, or member engagement
want to strengthen strategic and organisational capability
seek deeper insight into the dynamics and value of member-owned models

What you will explore

By the end of the program, you should be able to:

Compare the co-operative and mutual business model with investor-owned models
Demonstrate knowledge of co-operative and mutual enterprise dynamics at local, national and international levels
Apply business model insights to solve managerial challenges
Evaluate strategic decisions in relation to:
- government policies and legal environments
- competitive market dynamics
- social cooperation within member communities
- environmental impacts
Understand the drivers of member loyalty and engagement and identify ways to strengthen and retain member commitment.

Where this course can take you

This program provides a practical introduction to co-operative and mutual business models, building a clear understanding of how member owned organisations operate, govern and create value.

Across the program, you will explore leadership and governance, marketing the co-operative advantage, financing structures, and the legislative environment that shapes these enterprises, with opportunities to reflect on learning and apply insights in a meaningful, real-world context.

Program Content Modules:

Module 1: Understanding Co-operative and Mutual Business Models
Module 2: Governance and Leadership in Member Owned Businesses
Module 3: Marketing Our Co-operative Advantage (MOCA)
Module 4: Financing Co-operative and Mutual Businesses
Module 5: Legislative Structures and their Impact on Co-operative and Mutual Enterprises
Module 6: Wrap Up Session

About the Facilitator

Emeritus Professor Tim Mazzarol

BA (Hons), BEd, MBA (Distinction), PHD, QPR, FAIM

Founder Director, CEMI

Senior Honorary Research Fellow, Business School, Department of Marketing, The University of Western Australia

Tim is a Qualified Professional Researcher (QPR) with the Australian Research Society and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management (FAIM). He has more than twenty years of experience consulting to and collaborating with small entrepreneurial firms as well as large organisations and government agencies, designing and delivering university and executive education programs in entrepreneurship, innovation, strategy, marketing, small business management and commercialisation.

He holds a PhD in Management and an MBA with distinction from Curtin University of Technology, and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours from Murdoch University, Western Australia.