What sort of tailor-made training?
The Alphonse and Dorimène Desjardins International Institute for Cooperatives of HEC Montréal offers tailor-made training seminars developed for senior managers, executives and boards directors members of cooperatives. Since 2006, the Institute has trained over hundreds of presidents and leaders of cooperatives internationally.
Training structure
The training is organized in seminars on management practices, including those that made the success of the Desjardins Group, an institute that has inspired numerous cooperatives around the world. In collaboration with the Desjardins Group, the Institute expands the Montreal-based program with specialized presentations and visits. The training can be conducted in French and English, or in Spanish, Portuguese or other languages, through interpreters.
Example of a five-day seminar:
- Day 1: Seminar on the Canadian financial system (at HEC Montréal)
- Day 2: Seminar on the evolution of Desjardins Group’s structure and governance (at HEC Montréal)
- Day 3: Seminar on human resources at Desjardins
- Day 4: Visit of a Desjardins Business Centre and visit of a Caisse Desjardins
- Day 5: Visit of the Alphonse Desjardins Historical Society and of the Desjardins Lab (in Lévis)
Are you interested in tailor-made training?
The Alphonse and Dorimène Desjardins International Institute for Cooperatives would be delighted to welcome your delegation.
For more information: institutcoop@hec.ca
Past trainings
2022
Testimonials [translation]:
“Excellent, including the relationship with the people involved.”
“Congratulations. It is through the exchange of best practices and history that we shape the future.”
“Everything was prepared and organized in the best possible way, I have no criticism, just congratulate the organizers.“
2019
Testimonials [translation]:
“In all situations, everyone involved was extremely attentive to the participants. Perfect!”
“The program helps to understand the evolution of cooperativism and its basic and strategic aspects.”
“Very good context of integration and learning of the culture of the Desjardins system.”
Testimonials [translation]:
“Very good learning experience on the origins of cooperativism and cooperatives. A unique opportunity to know the origin of cooperativism and to compare with our own cooperative’s development.”
“A program tailored for management created to extend our horizons on selected themes in a cooperative way.”
“The team is to be congratulated. They provided us with amazing service. Thank you!”
Testimonials [translation]:
“I’m bringing home some lessons to use in my day to day, while seeking to focus more on associates and the dissemination of our alternative service channels.”
“It served to get to know a different and successful approach with regard to cooperatives.”
“It was gratifying to know a system that is a reference.”
Testimonials [translation]:
“A unique professional and personal opportunity. Important notions were presented, bringing us great experiences.”
“I consider this as a unique experience and opportunity to learn from a different culture. I’m bringing back different ways of thinking and acting.”
“It was an experience that I would make others live through, as a way of spreading cooperativism.”
“I believe that it will always be of great use to multiply these trainings…”
Testimonials [translation]:
“Boosts knowledge and experience of cooperators.”
“The material is very useful for us.”
“We take a look at the excellent situation of the cooperative in Canada and how the financial system works.”
Testimonials [translation]:
“The visit showed that my Sicredi cooperative system in Brazil is going in the right direction and that cooperativism in the world is becoming the fairest form of financial interaction with the community.”
“Of extreme relevance because through training I gained a lot of knowledge to bring back to the agency and put into practice.”
“Here we want to acknowledge HEC and Desjardins for the program structure and the willingness of staff to clearly present the appropriate information for the value it will add to our activities. Thank you very much.”
“Very satisfied. Great development program.”
2018
Testimonials [translation]:
“Thank you for welcoming us and congratulations on the great work. Merci!”
“Congratulations on the organization, responsiveness, welcome and follow up. It was all very well planned and executed.”
“Overall, it was a great experience, especially the technical visits to the caisse Desjardins to see the reality in practice. Congratulations and thanks!”
“Excellent, very well organized. Beautiful story of Desjardins, a model that closely resembles Sicredi. Thank you!”
Testimonials [translation]:
“It was practical and very helpful in understanding the structure in practice.”
“Excellent reception and explanations by the Brazilian collaborator.”
“Very good interaction and visit.”
“Great connection to day-to-day practice, which is great.”
Testimonials [translation]:
“(Satisfying) to know about the history from its inception, its evolution and knowing how things work now while thinking about the future.”
“Very well-organized program, highly relevant topics, material and suitable speakers.”
“I thought it was great, I wouldn’t change anything, I’m very happy with what I saw and learned.”
“Good programming, with transfer of techniques, practices, knowledge and new ways of producing results.”
“The study program is very good, it manages to blend theory with daily practice. It shows new/different things that we can implant.”
Testimonials [translation]:
“A unique experience, both professionally and personally.”
“I intend to use the knowledge to innovate within the community and with the members of my cooperative.”
“I am very interested in knowledge and learning, and I was thrilled by the innovative spirit of HEC, Desjardins, and Canadians in general.”
“I will implement many “cases” from here in my cooperative. The program really highlighted the importance of cooperativism.”
Testimonials [translation]:
“Visiting such an organized country makes us reflect on our leadership role as a transformation agent in Brazil.”
“Many aspects related to credit unions can be implemented in our credit unions in Brazil (in the financial and social field).”
“Amplified perspective.”
“Very useful for general knowledge in my area…”
Testimonials [translation]:
“All aspects (of the program) were very satisfactory.”
“Congratulations on the receptivity, the attention, the interaction, the work you are doing and the interest in welcoming us and learning and exchanging information on good practices.”
“Great logistics.”
“The HEC staff was very friendly and attentive with the group.”
Testimonials [translation]:
“The four women who accompanied us this week are fantastic. Very attentive and understanding.”
“The lessons learned here will greatly contribute to the development of our cooperative.”
“Lots of learning, several initiatives that occurred in Desjardins will occur in our system.”
“For those of us who work in cooperativism every day, it is very good to know about a system … and look for inspiring ideas to guide our daily life.”
“I participated in similar trainings in another country and this one was the best.”
“A lesson for life where the knowledge gained from Canadian culture can be applied, and we can try to change the reality in Brazil.”
2017
Testimonials [translation]:
“It was an amazing program with lots of experiences!”
“I’m leaving with several ideas applicable to the growth of my coop and my federation.”
“A very good theory and a very good field program.”
“Thank you for the wonderful welcome.”
“I thought (the training) was very good and that it should be extended to more people in the field.”
“(The training) helps expand knowledge in the credit union field.”
“Everything is great!”
Testimonials [translation]:
“Excellent welcome. The visit to the Caisse Desjardins des policiers et policières was very important because it allowed us to know its structure, its functioning and its prospects.”
“Had a good visit, very informative general discussions.”
“Simple, objective presentations contribute to effective understanding.”
“The program was very well developed, we felt the organizers’ concern to assist us in all our needs through the programming of the content, the messages and the various visits.”
“It has contributed a lot to my personal and professional growth.”
“Our goal has been fully achieved.”
“The program helps us better understand how the cooperative system works.”
Testimonials [translation]:
“Very solid knowledge in all the presentations that the speakers shared with us.”
“A lot of knowledge, listening and availability. Very clear presentation.”
“Remarkable knowledge. “
“Very productive, we have acquired knowledge, and we can introduce several improvements in our company.”
“I feel a great satisfaction.”
“Relevant training, great commitment and dedication from all.”
“I congratulate the organization!”
Testimonials [translation]:
“Very stimulating method for learning the dynamics used. “
“Possible comparison between a powerful system and ours, which is still developing. Very good! “
“Very condensed and enriching. (The training) allowed us to exchange information on the day-to-day practices of the Caisse. “
“It’s very good to know the development of Desjardins. “
“Objectives fully achieved. “
“Excellent organization. Highly performing team. “
“The study program is an excellent opportunity to gain knowledge and share experiences with people who have a culture that’s totally different from ours. “
Testimonials [translation]:
“We were very well received, we had a glimpse of the Mouvement (Desjardins) and we were able to make a comparison with the reality of our cooperative. “
“It’s a good program that contains vital information about the system. “
“Very well structured, conducted and organized program. We noted the commitment of those involved in learning. “
“In my opinion, the program is very well structured from a chronological point of view, which promotes understanding. I suggest you focus on the day-to-day activities of cooperatives for delegations of executives.”
2016
Testimonials [translation]:
“The governance approach was valuable so that we can compare and eventually re-evaluate our models.”
“Great practical and theoretical knowledge.”
“Gives a wider knowledge of the Canadian financial system.”
“Similar to what we live in Brazil.”
“An excellent program.”
Testimonials [translation]:
“A unique experience.”
“Good welcome, pleasant and cozy ambiance.”
“Very useful.”
“Very interesting to know the history of Desjardins.”
“In the same line of thought of our cooperative.”
Testimonials [translation]:
“An inspiring and innovative training.”
“Very pleased with the experience.”
“Topics presented were totally relevant.”
“The training offers a wide vision of the cooperative.”
“I will return to Brazil with several ideas that can be applied immediately in practice.”
2015
Testimonials [translation]:
“A global reference of cooperatives.”
“A high knowledge of the subject and also of our country.”
“Excellent experience.”
“I learned much more than I had imagined.”
“For sure, the concepts learned will be useful in our daily routine.”