How can we help family businesses grow faster?

Press release
Sopot, 30.09.2016
How can we help family businesses grow faster?
Family businesses have a strong focus on continuity of operations. Their founders plan for them to
last for generations. Their strength stems from passion and the willingness to grow, not from
greed. They can be perceived as "businesses with a human face". Research has shown that family
businesses stand out on the market because they demonstrate a greater readiness to compete on
quality of products and services.
The most serious challenge they encounter is succession of company management. Most of these
companies were created organically without plans for someone else to take over the reigns. The
specifics of managing a family business and a corporation differ extensively. Research conducted by
Deloitte shows that even in the case where the management of a family business is entrusted to
hired managers, its owners continue to make fundamental decisions regarding the directions for
development of their companies.
Family businesses must engage in active employer branding efforts. Workers ought to be convinced
that committing themselves to this sector is a good career choice. There is a widespread belief that
a family company is a private venture that can never be a reliable employer.
The needs of family businesses are of various nature, the smaller companies need access to capital,
while the large ones could benefit from becoming more international and investing in innovation.
The common denominator for all family businesses, however, is the expectation to have the
regulatory burden lifted and bureaucracy streamlined.
The panellists included:
 Aneta Piątkowska (Deputy Director of the Development Strategy Department at the
Ministry of Economic Development)
 Henryk Orfinger (President of the Management Board, Dr Irena Eris SA)
 Artur Czepczyński (President of the Management Board, ABC Czepczyński)
 Maciej Adamkiewicz (President of the Management Board, Adamed Pharma S.A.)
 Adam Chrościelewski (leader, Family Business Network Deloitte)
 Jacek Rozwadowski (Managing Director, ENEL-MED)
 Paweł Wojciechowski (Head Economist, Polish Social Insurance Institution).
The Council of Family Businesses of the Polish Confederation Lewiatan was the partner of the panel
discussion.
***
The European Forum for New Ideas is an international business congress attended by prominent representatives
of politics, culture, science, and media. It has been organized since 2011 by the Polish Confederation Lewiatan in
cooperation with BusinessEurope, the city of Sopot, and Polish and foreign companies and organizations. The Forum
is aimed at creating ideas for a strong Europe and a competitive economy, a Europe open to trends of social growth and
technology. This year's EFNI will be held on 28–30 September in Sopot, and its central theme is: 'The future of work.
Realities, dreams and delusions.'
More information: www.efni.pl
Honorary Patronage
Institutional Partners
Strategic Media Partners
Opening Gala Partner
Closing Gala Partner
Main Partners
Supporting Partners
Knowledge Partners
Executive Producer
European Parliament
Employers’ Group European Economic and Social Committee, European Commission
- Representation in Poland, Social Dialogue Council
Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, Onet.pl Group
Bank Pekao S.A.
MetLife
BMW Group, Citi Handlowy, Do Rzeczy, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Forbes, France
24, Intel, Newsweek, Orange Polska, Parkiet, POLITICO, Polish HR Forum, Radio
ZET, Digital Technology Employers Lewiatan
AMS, Bloomberg Businessweek Polska, Council of Family Businesses of the Polish
Confederation Lewiatan, Gazeta Wyborcza, Havas Media Group, IKEA, Liberté!,
LINKLEADERS, My Company Polska, Polish Press Agency, Puls Biznesu, Quatro Por
Quatro, Radio TOK FM, Warsaw Business Journal Observer, Union of Employers
of Automotive and Industrial Articles
Centre for International Relations, European Council on Foreign Relations, Polityka
Insight, THINKTANK, Global Compact Network Poland, World Academy of Art and
Science
IDFX
For additional information please contact:
Magdalena Słodownik
[email protected]
phone number: +48 660 426 009