The Avon Computer Co-operative acts as a marketing umbrella for its members. Work is obtained either by the ACC's advertising efforts or by a member passing on work he or she cannot handle themselves. Where work cannot be processed in-house, ACC tries to pass it on to a known contact. We do not like losing work: we will find someone to do it if we can. After all, we need the business to survive.

Many members have successful businesses of their own, yet find that membership of the ACC offers them significant advantages.

	Regular meetings provide a forum for exchanging ideas and bringing collective expertise to bear on any computing problem the individual member may encounter. If the problem is more urgent, the solution is usually no more than a telephone call or two away.
	The organisation permits easy dissemination of job prospects; if one member lacks either the time or expertise to take on a job, it is passed on to a member who is able to undertake it.

For its members, the ACC serves a number of roles:

There are a number of ways that individuals can set themselves up to sell services in the computing field:

The problem of being a sole trader is that you are just that. If you are offered work that you cannot undertake -- too busy, not your field , it requires several people -- the work is lost. Worse, the organisation that does get the work may take further business away from you as well! A limited company is no better in that respect -- you are still one person.

But the ACC can undertake such work on your behalf. You retain your customer, collect an introduction fee and your ACC colleagues also benefit. And if you need advice or equipment, someone is there to help.

Of the other trading methods -- Partnerships and Worker's Co-operatives -- they all require the involvement of other people. And if you could involve other people, you would not be a sole trader...

The Avon Computer Co-operative is the only marketing computer co-op in the UK. A major advantage of a marketing co-operative is low overheads. The ACC passes that benefit on, to both members and clients.

If you are interested in becoming a member of ACC, contact us with your details. If you are not interested in becoming a member, yet think your skills may benefit us, we'd still like to hear from you. You might like to consider joining our Associates Register.