新冠肺炎对商业的影响全球调查（英）-ACCA-2020.5-40页_1mb

Summary of the ACCA COVID-19 Global Survey: Business Impacts and Responses

Core Content

The ACCA COVID-19 Global Survey highlights the profound impact of the pandemic on organisations worldwide, emphasizing the need for immediate and strategic responses to ensure short-term survival and long-term resilience. Conducted in early 2020, the survey gathered over 10,000 responses from members and stakeholders across 100+ countries, revealing a consistent pattern of challenges and adaptive strategies across different sectors and sizes of organisations.

Main Findings

1. Business and Financial Impact of COVID-19

• Systemic shock: The pandemic has affected all organisations, regardless of size, sector, or country.
• Widespread concerns:
  • 80% of business leaders expect a significant downturn in revenue and profit compared to the previous year.
  • 60% of respondents report reduced employee productivity.
  • Over one-third (34%) of organisations are already facing cash flow problems.
  • 20% of organisations are deferring investments.
  • 47% of respondents believe the crisis has a very significant impact on their ability to establish accurate financial forecasts.
  • Almost one-third (30%) of organisations lack a business continuity plan, increasing vulnerability.

2. Revenue and Profit Forecast Reductions

• 80% of business leaders expect revenue to fall in the current year.
• Over one-third (34%) of respondents anticipate at least a 25% drop in revenue.
• Almost half (47%) of organisations expecting a loss believe it will be due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Smaller organisations are more pessimistic about revenue and profit, with 85% expecting lower revenue and 86% expecting lower profit for the current year.

Organisational Responses

Immediate Actions

• Health and safety focus:
  • 84% of organisations have implemented heightened health and safety measures.
  • 71% have established communication mechanisms for employees, customers, and partners.
• Operational adjustments:
  • Cost reduction and debt management are being prioritized.
  • Recruitment freezes are widespread, with 20% of organisations already freezing hiring.
  • Salary freezes and bonus removals are also being considered by some organisations.
• Operational flexibility:
  • Many organisations are exploring remote work, digital transformation, and supply chain diversification.

Long-term Strategies

• Scenario modeling and resilience planning are being used to prepare for different outcomes.
• Government intervention is seen as insufficient by 83% of respondents, with only 17% finding it effective.
• Stakeholder engagement is critical, especially in managing expectations and maintaining trust.

Recommendations for Organisations

ACCA provides 10 key recommendations to help organisations navigate the crisis:

1. Think 'people first': Prioritize employee well-being, communicate regularly, and develop plans for resuming work.
2. Focus on short-term survival: Shift from strategic to tactical goals, and ensure leadership is visible and responsive.
3. Address stakeholder needs: Adapt to changing customer and supplier demands, and maintain transparency.
4. Establish a crisis-management team: Coordinate responses, oversee contingency planning, and ensure quick decision-making.
5. Model scenarios and plan for resumption: Regularly review financial and operational impacts, and plan in phases.
6. Review government and fiscal policies: Engage with policymakers to advocate for support and ensure compliance with relief measures.
7. Liquidity is the lifeblood: Renegotiate credit lines and debt obligations to ensure short-term financial stability.
8. Look for innovation opportunities: Explore new products, services, and partnerships to adapt to the new environment.
9. Re-examine company strategies: Evaluate business models, market channels, and customer service approaches.
10. Don't forget fundamental risks: Cybersecurity and other long-term risks remain, and strategic responses to the pandemic may alter or introduce new risks.

Regional and Sector Comparisons

• Confidence levels are uniformly low, with the Asia-Pacific region experiencing the most significant drop, likely due to the early outbreak and its impact on trade.
• Public sector organisations are particularly affected by employee productivity due to the nature of their services and the constraints of lockdowns.
• Private sector faces more cash flow and investment deferral challenges.
• Smaller organisations are more vulnerable, with 40% lacking a business continuity plan.
• China shows slightly better performance in employee productivity compared to other regions.

Key Takeaways

• The pandemic has created a systemic economic shock with far-reaching implications.
• Employee well-being and cash flow are the most pressing concerns.
• Financial forecasting is severely impacted by uncertainty, with many organisations struggling to reforecast.
• Government support is not seen as effective by most, and accessibility and clarity are crucial.
• Innovation and adaptability are essential for long-term recovery.
• Business continuity planning is lacking in many organisations, especially smaller ones, which increases the risk of failure.

Conclusion

The ACCA survey underscores the urgent need for organisations to focus on employee health, cash flow management, communication, and resilience planning. While the immediate response has been to protect people and maintain operations, the long-term success of organisations will depend on their ability to adapt, innovate, and secure support from both internal and external stakeholders.