The International Business Report (IBR), a study carried out by Grant Thornton in December 2020, heard about 5,000 entrepreneurs in 29 countries to analyze optimism about the economy in the next 12 months
Despite the many uncertainties regarding the control of the covid-19 pandemic, Brazilian businesspeople are among the most optimistic on the global stage, especially when it comes to investment. The result of the Grant Thornton survey shows this trend in Information Technology (IT), for example, in which 80% of respondents predict increases, against a global average of 51%.
Marcos Tondin, Partner in the Technology and Solutions area at Grant Thornton Brasil
“Driven by the pandemic, many organizations had to look to technology for ways to transform their business model and be able to survive economically. The use of technology and its various means has become an important ally to resume business growth and expansion, ”says Marcos Tondin, partner in the Technology and Solutions area at Grant Thornton Brasil.
Other areas also stood out, such as research and development, which for 68% of businessmen should gain more attention in Brazil. Overall, the average index was 44%. In the same vein, there is the investment in team skills, important for 70% in Brazil and 45% in the global average. For 60% of Brazilian respondents, installations and machines should receive more investments, against a global average of 38%.
“We live in times of uncertainty and constant changes, with a direct impact on new skills that need to be developed in the teams. In addition to traditional techniques, professionals with greater ability to relate and deal with people, as well as demonstrate greater emotional balance in their daily lives, will clearly be at an advantage in this new world scenario ”, evaluates Ronaldo Loyola, partner in the Human Capital area Grant Thornton Brasil.
On the other hand, businessmen also pointed out the obstacles, which hinder the expansion of their businesses. Economic uncertainties, bureaucracy and over-regulation are the biggest problems for 58%, the availability of qualified labor is an obstacle for 53%, followed by a shortage of orders / reduced demand (52%). The cost of energy (48%) and the scarcity of financing (47%) are also among the main obstacles, with rates very close to those of the global average.
Regarding the salary of employees, only 15% of the interviewees believe that there will be a real increase in the next 12 months, a rate below the global average, which was 21%.
Daniel Maranhão, CEO of Grant Thornton Brasil
For Daniel Maranhão, CEO of Grant Thornton Brasil, there is an increase in optimism regarding the recovery of the economy in the next 12 months in several countries, mainly in Brazil. “The optimism among entrepreneurs has increased a lot due to vaccines against covid-19, which bring the hope of a return to consumption to pre-crisis levels and, consequently, the need for greater investments. However, it is important to remember that we are still in a foggy scenario. We are not sure what the speed of vaccination is in Brazil and, mainly, whether the current Brazilian political environment will allow the approval of important reforms. In any case, it is essential for the country that companies maintain their investments in the short term, but always with their feet on the ground, as the scenario still requires prudence. ”
