In 2013 the Co-op posted a loss of £2.3billion.

It was the worst set of results in the group's 150-year history, as the disastrous events in its banking arm threatened to bring the show to an end.

The Co-op began an audacious fightback using the situation as a burning platform to re-invent itself for the 21st Century.

Part of that was the foundation of Co-Op Digital - a renewal arm aimed to help re-imagine the organisation in a digital world.

The Lab have already done some brief work with Co-op digital - helping them test some product ideas with our residents.

We visited today as our interests lie in three areas:

The techniques they are using to put the user at the heart of new products and services
The way they are being transparent and working out loud
Their fantastic new co-working space The Federation

We'll probably weave some of our takeaways into posts over the next couple of weeks but here are three things we heard people say today:

"You, know I can't remember the last time I had a meeting"

"I get to try new things without asking anybody for permission"

"It doesn't matter if you fail - as long as we can demonstrate the value of the learning."

Those are great things to hear on a Monday morning.

We need to hear them more often.

Thanks Ian Drysdale for arranging a great day