How Agile Methodology and the Co-operative Model Complement Each Other
Earlier this year I took part in two different learning experiences. The first was some pretty standard classroom training that introduced Agile Methodology to employees at Vancity. The second was not standard because I traveled to Bologna in the Emilia-Romagna…
Seven Co-operative Reflections from Bologna, Italy
For two weeks I am participating in the Emilia-Romagna Co-operative Study Tour, which is a Vancity program designed to enhance knowledge about the co-operative movement and inspire connections between each other, our work and co-operative leadership. The Italian home-base for…
Three Reasons to Embrace Co-opetition
Embrace Co-opetition Co-opetition means working together to achieve mutually beneficial results and this article will explore three reasons to embrace co-opetition in your business, community, school, and life endeavours. For example, co-opetition amongst business competitors to achieve full employment in their…
Seven Reasons Why the ‘John Wick’ Universe is Probably Co-operative
It’s Co-operatives Week in Canada and I wanted to share a theory that’s been on my mind for a few years. I think that the hit action movie franchise John Wick is a story about an assassins’ co-operative. From unique…
Three Ways to Reframe Winning
Human beings have a problem with winning. Too often we focus on winning as a zero-sum game and define “winners” highlighting the failings of folks who didn’t win – when we do this we call peoples or teams “losers”. Focusing…
The Definitive Analysis of how Co-operatives Show up in Pop Culture
It’s Co-op Week in Canada. Unfortunately, the co-operative movement has a communication problem. Even though economists, journalists, academics, activists, titans of industry, and communities from around the world laud the traditional, yet disruptive, business model, co-operators often struggle to simplify…
10 Ways to Avoid Burnout in Your Worklife
These days the top risk to organizations around the world is employee burnout. The COVID-19 pandemic is ravaging communities in multiple ways. Families are stressed out because of unplanned homeschooling, decades of female economic empowerment is being undone, racial justice…
Five Co-operative Solutions to Inter-Generational Strife
According to folks like Dr. Christopher Mackie, governments are shortchanging people under 45 by spending an unequal amount on seniors. Unsurprisingly, Susan Eng of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) believes that such a position amounts to nothing short…
My Potentiality Reflections After 10 Years
For the past 10 years our team has been publishing new articles pretty much every week (1,032 pieces to date to be specific). Beginning this month, I will start scaling back the amount of new content that I produce for…
Five Ways this Crisis is an Opportunity for Positive Change
Without a doubt this is one of the most calamitic Canada Days in a hundred years and certainly the most challenging and uncertain in a generation. This crisis – climate change compounded by a global pandemic compounded by a modern…