According to survey conducted by Polska Agencja Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości as part of Panel Polskich Przedsiębiorców the positive attitude among Polish entrepreneurs is starting to improve. This research unveils the fact that the crisis have changed the way how sole proprietors think and forced them to look for ways of getting the upper hand.
Over the last year as much as 60 per cent of sole proprietors have experienced deterioration of their financial situation. However one in three sees chance of recovery in the upcoming quarter. This data corresponds with another survey conducted by Polska Agencja Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości in cooperation with Małopolska Szkoła Administracji Publicznej in the Szybkie Reagowanie Program. The two inquiries show that the crisis has finally ended and the turn of 2012 and 2013 was its peak – confirms Bożena Lublińska-Kasprzak, president of Polska Agencja Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości.
Over the half (51 per cent) of proprietors is of the opinion that the economic crisis in Poland will end within 2 or 3 upcoming years. Before the data is presented we must explain what interviewees understand by the notion of “crisis”. Part of them perceives the crisis as unfavourable conditions for running business. At the moment, when it comes to the national market, the economy is in a difficult moment, however the majority of companies say that they “somehow deal with it”. – explains prof. Witold Orłowski, the co-author of the report and an economist.
Is this really truth? Prof. Orłowski maintains that the report reflects the real market sentiment, especially the one present among small and medium entrepreneurs. The results show that managers have acquired new skills, such as judicious decision making that is preceded by in-depth analysis of the situation on the market. For the first and foremost, we keep an eye on the costs excluding the wages, more to the point, we did not have to handle with a massive pressure on reduction of salary costs, lowering costs or redundancies. We are looking for better ways of approaching clients, we are offering discounts as well as we are looking for new clients and look for agreements with new companies. – says professor.
What is important is the fact that entrepreneurs are looking for new investment opportunities in both new markets as well as innovative products. It is the first time when we managed to gather data on how in the times of economic downturn entrepreneurs not only cut down on expenses but also look for opportunities for development and expansion. Some of them see a chance for employment of new people and form development plans. – commented Bożena Liblińska Kasprzak.
Seven out of then surveyed want to primarily invest in fixed assets. Many respondents also plan on making development of the new products and services as their main objective. Over 40 per cent of entrepreneurs plan on investing in the workforce. Companies are capable of adaptation and handling difficult conditions. This is most likely the reason why Poland has remained for last five the green island among all countries of the European Union. – commented prof. Witold Orłowski.