VIENNA, Austria–During a session at WOCCU’s World CU Conference titled “Growth Strategies in an Ever-Evolving Environment: An International Perspective,” here’s what Joao Tavares of Brazil’s Secredi movement said has been its strategy for success.
Tavares said his country’s credit unions have prospered despite an uncertain economic environment in the country. In recent years, Sicredis have grown at a rate of 19.9%, he said.
The most “important strategy” for driving that growth, according to Tavares, can be summed up in one word: centralization. The country’s Sicredis share a specialization in structure and standardization of processes, including a common core processing system and even common signage and marketing.
The resulting improvement in scale, he said, has meant being able to provide a “complete portfolio” for the member.
“There is a very long-term vision in place that everyone follows,” said Tavares. “It has allowed us to keep the focus on what is important in guiding our priorities. Growth is based on this long-term strategy.”
The country’s Sicredi invest $15 million a year in training, and 90% of Sicredi employees have college graduates. The Sicredi Foundation supports a content generation for cooperative training.
“The most important thing is to fulfill the mission of being a cooperative every day,” he said. “We have a nationwide reach with a regional presence. We focus on long-term relationships and we structure our relationships to add income to the member and to improve the quality of life for the member.”