What about Polish finances? Entrepreneurs are afraid of the future

– One of the main challenges that companies have faced recently is the rising cost of labor, as well as production and service costs. This causes legitimate concerns about the financial situation of companies. And although some organizations compensate for the higher costs by raising prices, not all of them can afford this due to the risk of reduced competitiveness – said Adam Łącki, President of KRD, quoted in the press release.

The ‘Financial security of SMEs’ survey shows that representatives of manufacturing companies are most concerned about the deterioration of their financial security over the next twelve months, with two-thirds (67%) indicating this. The second sector showing the greatest concerns about one’s financial security is construction (40 percent of responses). In the services and trade sectors, every third representative of SMEs is involved, and in the transport sector every fourth person.

Micro-enterprises are the most concerned

The smaller the entity, the more often it admits uncertainty. Among micro-enterprises, i.e. those with fewer than 10 employees, 35 percent stated that they were concerned, in the group of small enterprises (from 10 to 49 employees) 3 in 10, and in the group of medium-sized enterprises (from 50 to 250 employees) employees) 21 percent.

However, if we take into account the regions of the country, companies from the province are most concerned about their financial security. Lublin Voivodeship (54%), Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship (47%) and Pomeranian Voivodeship (45%). Companies from the province, in turn, declare the greatest peace of mind in this area. The Lubuskie Voivodeship, where it concerns 2%, and the Łódź Voivodeship (14%) and Lesser Poland Voivodeship (16%) were also mentioned.

“When asked what services the company plans to use in the next twelve months to increase financial security, 2/5 of respondents indicate they use professional bookkeeping and bookkeeping services. 27 percent will use leasing and the same number will use legal services, and 1/5 5 plan to check the financial credibility of contractors and monitor them in this area. 12% of companies plan to register debtors with economic information agencies, for example 15 percent – ​​we read on.

Savings and reserves

To ensure financial security, the most, 40 percent. representatives of SMEs, plans to build savings and reserves in the coming year. In terms of industries, such activities are mainly explained by the construction sector (49 percent of responses).

In addition, a significant group of companies (37%) will continuously monitor and reduce costs. At the same time, three in ten micro, small and medium-sized enterprises plan to increase investment spending to improve the efficiency of their operations. Construction companies are also leading the way here: 39% of companies say they will optimize their efficiency. of them. Among other activities that increase financial security, 1/5 of companies mention increasing margins, settling for cash only, limiting or changing the offering or service package and shortening payment terms for contractors. was emphasized.

However, in terms of company size, there are clear differences in the approach to the activities that companies plan to carry out. While medium-sized enterprises plan to focus on ongoing control or cost reduction over the next 12 months (56%), micro-enterprises announce that they will first focus on building a financial surplus (40%).

The national survey ‘Financial security of SME companies’ was conducted in August 2024 by TGM Research on behalf of the National Debt Register of the Economic Information Bureau among a group of 409 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, using the CAWI- method. Responses were provided only by decision makers: senior and middle management, the board of directors, and the business owner.