On January 10, Eurogroup Consulting published the results of the 2022 edition of the Baromètre des Grandes Entreprises, carried out in partnership with BFM Business and L'Express.
As the health crisis drags on, bringing with it a host of uncertainties. The heads of France's major companies are nonetheless optimistic about the year ahead.
MANAGEMENT FORECASTS FOR 2022
After a year 2021 itself marked by a significant rebound, and despite the return of uncertainties linked to the health situation and the Omicron variant, forecasts remain largely upbeat. Across all indicators, the major companies surveyed show forecasts that are on average 94 % higher or stable.
The main risks
For 2022, health risks are the focus of attention for the managers surveyed (68.4 %), just ahead of cyber risks (53.2 %) and supply risks (49.4 %), which this year are well ahead of economic and financial risks, 10 points behind (39.2 %).
Growth prospects
Nevertheless, the main indicators for forecasting business, profitability, investments and headcount in France and abroad are all on the rise. On average, they are up 1 point on last year.
of executives are optimistic for 2022
The temptation of enthusiasm
These results reflect the overall optimism of the managers surveyed (71 %). Despite the uncertainties and risks of fatigue that still loom large, they are approaching 2022 with a certain degree of enthusiasm!
CHALLENGES FOR 2022
In a context marked by the health crisis, the greatest challenges they anticipate lie above all in fundamentals. To turn the coming period into a success, managers will have to work hard to maintain their profitability, so as to better withstand unforeseen events, and to maintain the commitment and mobilization of their staff.
Maintaining profitability
While they are confident that their business will grow in 2022, managers are nonetheless paying close attention to maintaining profitability. For almost 28 % of them, this issue is a priority, to ensure that they can continue to cope with unforeseen events.
Develop your business
Executives seem serene about the development of their business. Business only comes 3rd (21.5 %), a sign of their confidence and optimism.
CSR issues
Only 7.5 % of respondents consider CSR to be the major challenge facing their company.
When asked about their CSR commitments, almost 70 % of respondents consider environmental protection to be the top CSR priority for the coming years. Moreover, 40 % insist on their carbon neutrality objectives, notably through actions across their entire value chain.
Managing human resources issues
Equally, they consider that the greatest challenge of 2022 lies in managing human resources issues. Attracting and retaining talent has become a major challenge in a world where the relationship with work and the company is being called into question. Work organization and management methods are undergoing major transformations, and are impacting on the issues of attractiveness and the need to mobilize teams.
The ongoing health crisis makes it all the more essential to be able to rely on motivated, mobilized teams to support a business that is picking up again. And all this against a backdrop of exceptionally high levels of fatigue among the French.
GILLES BONNENFANT'S ANALYSIS
What strikes me, after two years of health crisis, is that the momentum of confidence that continues to drive business leaders. Despite the uncertainty that is becoming the norm, and the growing risk of employee fatigue, they believe in it.
While the economic consequences have been lower than expected - thanks in part to support measures - businesses have demonstrated their resilience and the economy is picking up again, this edition of the Baromètre des Grandes Entreprises reflects a temptation to enthusiasm. This is borne out by upward forecasts for all indicators (sales, investments, profitability, headcount) and a clear determination to continue recruiting.
Logically, health risks remain the primary source of concern for companies, I'm surprised at how little attention is paid to geopolitical issues. Everywhere in the world, weak signals of tensions are multiplying, and it seems to me illusory to think that these dynamics, like the price of raw materials or the risk of stock shortages... will not affect, in one way or another, the activity of our companies!
Vigilant, then, but optimism, determination and commitment for 2022.
Finally, to whoever wins the presidential election, I think the message is clear: make our lives easier!
Gilles Bonnenfant
Chairman, Eurogroup Company
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 2022 - A CALL FROM LEADERS TO CANDIDATES: "SIMPLIFY AGAIN!"
On the eve of the election campaign, we asked managers about their expectations for the next term of office. 75 % of them would like to see administrative constraints simplified and lifted. They see this as a means of developing their business in France and abroad.
In second place on the podium of their expectations is an offensive policy of hiring assistance (42 %).
More surprisingly, ahead of measures to help business (protectionism, export aid, etc.) in third place was a request for support for companies with recognized ESG performance (38 %). Executives are aware of the stakes and costs involved in transition. This is why they expect companies to be accompanied, supported and even rewarded for their efforts. This is essential if they are to make the transition without losing competitiveness.
