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Family businesses in Europe fared better than other regions in response to COVID-19, says new report

European family businesses reported lower employee reductions, fewer business closures and more revenue increases.

 

According to the report Taking the long view: Lessons in endurance from European family businesses, based on a survey of 1,332 European family business leaders and prepared through a collaboration between the STEP Project Global Consortium, European Family Businesses (EFB) and KPMG Private Enterprise, family businesses in Europe:

  • Witnessed a 4.1 percent workforce reduction compared to 8.56 percent of family businesses globally.
  • Only 15 percent closed their businesses temporarily.
  • Less than 1 percent closed permanently.
  • The majority saw revenues decline in the short term, however 11 percent had revenue increases.
  • Over 70 percent obtained government support, particularly special loan programs.
  • Were more likely to raise additional capital and take on more debt to maintain their independence and control, compared to other regions.

For businesses of all types, the first impact on the pandemic was felt on revenues. While almost two-thirds of European family businesses (64 percent) reported initial revenue losses compared to 69 percent of family businesses globally, one-quarter (25 percent) managed to maintain their revenue levels, and 11 percent experienced increases.

Families took three immediate actions to address the impact of declining revenues on their business: 1) stabilizing the business through employment changes and expense reductions; 2) accessing government support; 3) streamlining their operations and reimagining the future for their companies. Retaining as many employees as possible as well as long-term relationships with suppliers, customers and other important stakeholders were made a priority.

Importance of a long-term mindset

The rapid initial responses, combined with a focus on the future, have placed family businesses in a strong position to support the recovery of Europe’s economy.

It is widely recognized that family businesses think in terms of quarter centuries, not the next quarter’s financial results. The importance of a long-term mindset is embedded from generation to generation, and it is a distinctive characteristic of family businesses. It has also proven to be a vital source of their endurance throughout the pandemic in Europe. They have been a strong, stabilizing influence in the majority of European countries, and the diverse skills, knowledge and insights extended across multiple generations are making an important contribution to the restart of Europe’s economic engine. Not the least of these has been the opportunity for younger members of the family to put environment, social and governance (ESG) issues as a high priority on their companies’ strategic agendas.

Tom McGinness

Global Leader, Family Business, KPMG Private Enterprise, and Partner

KPMG in the UK

The report suggests that, due to the unpredictability of the pandemic, some family businesses likely made short-term decisions to preserve some of their capital by pausing or deferring planned investments and to reallocate their financial resources to retain and support their employees. This does not mean they are abandoning their long-term plans. Rather, it is more likely that they have prioritized the need to stabilize their businesses and keep their employees engaged to ensure a strong position for the future.

  • 22.56% reported deferring or cancelling their R&D investments, particularly in the short term, compared to 17.09% of non-family European businesses.

Influence of family values

  • 23% of European family businesses deferred or reduced executive pay, compared to 29% globally.
  • Only 13% considered alternative compensation arrangements for their executives.

According to Jesús Casado Navarro-Rubio, Secretary General, European Family Businesses (EFB), “With their embedded long-term mindset, European family businesses were less likely to make employee reductions or adjust the compensation of their executives compared to other regions. This may be explained, in part, by the underlying family values that influence the decisions of family businesses. In times of crisis and economic challenges, the short-term financial motivations within family businesses are typically secondary to the long-term viability of the company and the desire to reinforce and retain their longstanding relationships with employees.”

Exercising the power of the family

The report highlights a unique source of competitive advantage among family businesses compared to other business types, which is the family’s purpose and values and their involvement in the business. With multiple generations participating in decision-making, family businesses reacted quickly to protect the business and agree on its strategic direction.

  • Family businesses successfully stabilized their businesses in the short term in response to the direct impact of COVID-19, while leveraging their entrepreneurial mindset to sustain a sharp focus on longer-term prospects.
  • The knowledge and skills of multiple generations of family members were rallied in order to reimagine the strategic direction of the business, while also increasing their awareness of the need to address environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues as strategic priorities.
  • The family values that underpin their businesses were reflected in how families prioritized the concerns of all their stakeholders in addressing the impact of the pandemic.

In drawing attention to the important role of the family in family business, Andrea Calabrò, STEP Project Global Consortium Global Academic Director says, “Many senior family members came back into their family businesses to bring a historical context – or what is often referred to as ‘historical memory’ – to address the immediate impact of the pandemic, and the decisions that needed to be made to keep the business moving forward. At the same time, younger family members were relied upon to uncover digital solutions to transform their business operations and develop new technology products or service offerings. This is the power of the family business: the combination of a fresh mindset with the practical experience of having dealt successfully with crises in the past.”

Note to editors: The report is the result of a collaboration between the STEP Project Global Consortium, European Family Businesses (EFB) and KPMG Private Enterprise. By coming together, these three organizations have successfully connected extensive family business research with professional practice. The report is based on a global survey of family businesses and non-family businesses conducted from June to October of 2020, with additional insights obtained through conversations with business families, KPMG professionals and STEP academics in January and March of 2021.

For press requests, please contact:

Melany Eli
KPMG Private Enterprise
+1 416 399 6179
melanyeli@kpmg.ca

About the STEP Project Global Consortium

The Successful Transgenerational Entrepreneurship Practices (STEP) Project Global Consortium is a global applied research initiative that explores family and business practices within business families and generates solutions that have immediate application for family business leaders. The STEP Project Global Consortium aims to be a leading global family business research project with an international reputation. The research insights are specifically drawn to be of relevance to developing new theoretical insights that can offer novel and valuable best practices recommendations to the business stakeholders and the practice community at large. Having a global worldwide orientation, the STEP Project Global Consortium offers networking opportunities for researchers, family business owners and consultants coming from five continents.

Visit: thestepproject.org

About EFB

European Family Businesses (EFB) is the EU federation of national associations representing long-term, family-owned enterprises, including small, medium-sized and larger companies. The organization was created in 1997 and represents EUR1 trillion in aggregated turnover, 9 percent of European gross domestic product. EFB’s mission is to press for policies that recognize the fundamental contribution of family businesses in Europe’s economy and create a level playing field when compared to other types of companies.

Visit: europeanfamilybusinesses.eu

About the KPMG Private Enterprise Global Center of Excellence for Family Business

As with your family, your business doesn’t stand still — it evolves. Family businesses are unique and KPMG Private Enterprise Family Business advisers understand the dynamics of a successful family business and work with you to provide tailored advice and experienced guidance to help you succeed.

To support the unique needs of family businesses, KPMG Private Enterprise coordinates with a global network of member firms dedicated to offering relevant information and advice to family‑owned companies. We understand that the nature of a family business is inherently different from a non‑family business and requires an approach that considers the family component.

Visit: kpmg.com/familybusiness

About KPMG Private Enterprise

Passion, it’s what drives entrepreneurs, it’s also what inspires KPMG Private Enterprise advisers to help you maximize success. You know KPMG, you might not know KPMG Private Enterprise. KPMG Private Enterprise advisers in member firms around the world are dedicated to working with you and your business, no matter where you are in your growth journey — whether you’re looking to reach new heights, embrace technology, plan for an exit, or manage the transition of wealth or your business to the next generation. Working with KPMG Private Enterprise, you’ll gain access to a trusted advisor — a single point of contact who shares your entrepreneurial mindset. With access to KPMG’s global resources and alliance network, we’ll help you drive your business forward and meet your goals. Your success is our legacy.

Visit: kpmg.com/privateenterprise

About KPMG International Limited

KPMG is a global organization of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We operate in 146 countries and territories and in FY20 had close to 227,000 people working in member firms around the world.

Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.

Melany Eli
Melany Eli

Managing Director, Strategy, Marketing and Communications, KPMG Private Enterprise

KPMG International