CU: A Self-Funding Business Model
We are set up as a commercial social-enterprise. Our goal is to establish CustomersUnited
the social-enterprise, as a respected, effective brand with
customer and corporates.
Our Business Model
has been entirely self-funded to get here and we aim to continue with a self-funding model of two halves: the Social Enterprise; funded by the CU Group of companies' corporate services.
A governance mechanism will oversees all aims and overall operations of the CU
Group of
companies, to ensure none is at odds with the purposes of the Social Enterprise.
The social-enterprise part of CU -
TheWire,
ImprovementForum,
CustomerCharter -
is entirely free to customers.
Our revenues come from group company services to corporates: advertising in the
MarketPlace,
services of CU-Train,
DashBoard,...etc.
and partnership subscription, special commissions etc.
Surplus profits from our group companies services will fund the social
enterprise purposes for people and society, and our charitable foundation:
PayItForward
1.
|
This self-funding model ensures our continued non-dependence on banks, backers,
corporates or government, so maintaining our independent position for customers
and for change.
Our Charitable
Foundation
The CustomersUnited,
charitable foundation is set up to receive an allocation of surplus profits each
year and to pay-it-forward in money, time and in kind to help change society in
other ways.
PayItForward will
evolve but is set to do the following:
.
sponsor a new charity each year, continuing with
tapered sponsorship for three years.
We have already chosen our first charity for our first year of profitability.
.
sponsor a number of training places each year at CU
Train
. sponsor a number of trainees who complete the
course well, to take up paid internships with CU CustomersCall.
. collaborate with our Corporate Partners to fill work placement for trained CS staff.
. work with and help other Social Enterprises and
charities use our services to be more cost effective for their purposes e.g. using CU-Train, CustomersCall;
advertising, surveys... |
1 CU borrows an idea from a great film
"Pay It Forward" (2001)
From the book by Catherine Ryan Hyde, screenplay Leslie
Dixon; director Mimi Leder; starring: Haley Joel Osment, Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt
and James Caviezel |