Les entreprises françaises dans les années 2000. Les tendances, les enjeux et les stratégies

A consultancy in business strategy has conducted a survey of French executives in order to identify the issues and challenges facing them at the start of the 21st century. The aim is to use the results to help firms to design new medium- and long-term strategies and to improve their performance.
The main conclusions based on their replies provide, among others, the following insights:
-The most outstanding developments in the business environment are the increasing speed of scientific and technological advances which lead to improvements in productivity, creativity, innovation and penetration of global markets. In addition, customers are more and more demanding with regard to the sourcing of products, their traceability and safety. Finally, competition is becoming fiercer with the arrival of “local killers” and “global players”.
-As for the main challenges facing firms, the replies emphasize first the need for growth (meaning growth in turnover), market leadership and internationalization, with “profitability” a much lower priority.
-In coping with these challenges, the key factor for success is human capital, seen as the firm’s main asset even if it also involves considerable problems in terms of attracting, training, motivating and retaining people with the right skills.
-Lastly, with regard to the way that managers develop and implement strategies for change within their firms, the preference is for a top-down approach, with little workforce participation.
The survey thus highlights the autocratic style of decision-making, the reluctance of “classic” businesses to adapt, and the lack of interest in profitability of the dot.coms.