Criticalities
“In 2020, approximately 37% of companies experience a reduction in liquidity against a forecast of approximately 30% for 2021 – reads the research -. Family businesses have complained of much lower liquidity problems than non-family businesses and forecasts are more optimistic than those of non-family businesses ”. As regards the technological criticalities or a possible resistance to change on the part of the employees, in both cases these are problems that are on average little felt by the companies involved in the study.
«Almost half of the companies – explains the Fabula study – declares that they have implemented actions to modify the target customers and in the future the reaction could be even more widespread (over half). The reaction is less frequent among family businesses, testifying to their greater stability in terms of customers ». Furthermore, “even in terms of product, almost half of the companies declare that they have implemented actions to modify the supply system and in forecast terms the reaction could grow”. The dynamics between the types of companies is similar to that found in the actions taken towards customers.
The organization of work
Two out of three companies declare that they have changed the organization of work but in forecast terms the reaction should be less widespread (about 58%). This reaction was also less frequent among family businesses than non-family businesses. Closely connected to the organization of work is the theme of smart working. In this case, «as many as 72% of the companies declare that they have adopted smartworking practices but in forecast terms the reaction should be less widespread (about 59%). This reaction was less frequent among family businesses and should be so also in the future, suggesting the tendency to return to normal when returning to the company ».
The use of layoffs was quite massive in 2020, with a larger share of family businesses. In 2021, however, companies plan to draw on social safety nets to a lesser extent, permitting the spread of the pandemic. A possible cut in personnel is excluded by the vast majority of companies (the percentages of responses, both for family and non-family businesses, exceed 80%).
The turnover
The decline in turnover recorded by businesses in 2020 compared to 2019 is heavy. The study analyzes not only the sentiment of businesses but also some specific sectors, in this case only for family businesses. A 21% drop is estimated for metalworking, 16% for agricultural products, food and beverages, while -27% for textiles-clothing and footwear. The same sectors, on the other hand, expect a decisive rebound in 2021: + 25% for engineering, + 15% for agricultural products, food and beverages, + 17% for textiles, clothing and footwear.