River Valley Co-op in Northampton, MA is a jewel among startups with over $25M in annual sales and robust growth. Rochelle Prunty, the GM at RVC takes us through the co-ops history, as well as a possible future, in which the region has many more River Valley Co-ops and an exponentially greater impact on its members, staff, and communities.
At Onion River/City Market in Burlington, VT mistakes were made involving staff inclusion. Kyle Larson tells the story from his perspective and highlights the strengths in leadership through this harrowing experience that allowed City Market to persevere and build even stronger community in the process.
John Tashiro shares with us some of the "wisdom of the Bamboo". Tashiro, the newly appointed General Manager at Onion River / City Market in Burlington, VT applies some of this wisdom to being courageous leaders in the retail co-op sector and entices us all to "be the bamboo".
Cooperative Hall of Fame inductee Ann Hoyt tells a tale of three of her top picks for people that displayed courageous leadership in the face of impossible odds. Hear about the work of Abraham Shadid, Carol Greewald and David Smith. She believes "the ability to act rightly" in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, discouragement and personal loss defines the core of courageous [...]
Ruffin Slater, General Manager at Weaver Street Market in North Carolina has proven himself an innovator among national GMs. In this video Ruffin shares his insights on how leadership can help guide the co-op towards its Ends.
By Carolee Colter, Lauren Olsen, Marilyn Scholl 183 Mar-Apr 2016 It takes a lot to manage a food co-op. Co-op general managers (GMs) are responsible not only for the retail operations but also for budgeting, financial analysis, marketing, information technology, and human resources—functions that are provided by corporate headquarters to managers of chain stores. Co-op GMs, in addition to the demands of the business, [...]
Holly Fearing, Board Member at Willy Street Cooperative in Madison, WI breaks down the barriers to being strategic, making hard choices, and being fearless. And beware the 'killer but'!
In this short presentation Alex Stone, of CooperationWorks!, expresses the importance of knowing vulnerability. Especially in a leadership position.
Michelle Oliver from Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op says that being a leader requires knowing yourself. Know your strengths and know your weaknesses. Understand where you need support and ask for it.
Weaver Street Market General Manager Ruffin Slater on the Magic of Commitment. Ruffin shares what he sees as the power of making a commitment and all that follows from making a decision.
