Healthy entrepreneurship is the “key” to make Greece …
By Panagiotis Papazoglou
The world economy has entered a phase of rapid transformation in recent years. The interaction of powerful forces, such as globalization, demographic change, the digital revolution, and the climate crisis, has created an explosive mix that triggers profound and often violent change. To these forces was added the COVID-19 health crisis, which is already acting as a catalyst for new trends affecting economic and social life.
In this environment, entrepreneurship, all over the world, but also in our country, is faced with new data and new challenges. The recent research of EV, CEO Imperative Study 2021, in which Greece participated for the first time, developed these challenges, but also the reaction strategies of companies.
The companies that today stand out, promote their transformation, eliminate bottlenecks, support innovation and data evaluation to get closer to their customers. The leaders of these companies want the human being at the center, integrate their organizations into wider ecosystems, enhance well-being and adaptability, and, above all, create long-term value for their shareholders and society at large.
Society today requires businesses to focus, not only on shareholders, but on a wider network of stakeholders and to create value for consumers, employees, investors, the environment and local communities. It is no coincidence, after all, that we are seeing more and more companies today focusing more on environmental and social issues, and governance issues – the so-called ESG criteria. At the same time, at a time when the demand for general change is changing is limited to the sphere of society, but also diffuses in the workplace, the attraction, but even more importantly, the preservation of human talent – namely, the younger generations, whose and expectations differ drastically – it will be one of the biggest challenges for the future of entrepreneurship.
In other words, we must take it for granted that in the coming years, consumption, human talent and investment capital will gradually shift to efforts that seek to create long-term value for all at the heart of their strategy.
Greek companies have faced this great challenge today. Only in this way will they be able to reconcile substantially with the restart and transformation of the Greek economy, in order to understand an economy that is extroverted, innovative and with a view to tomorrow.
In these special circumstances, then, the Greek “Entrepreneur of the Year” 2021, the Greek organization of the global competition of EY, Entrepreneur of the Year those entrepreneurs who understand the modern great challenges and have shown that they are determined and satisfied to face. People who understand the urgent need for sustainable development and integrate into their vision and strategy the concepts of environment, society and good governance. Those who are not stopped by difficulties and obstacles, but treat them as opportunities to overcome and improve.
It is an institution for rewarding the business left, which will be organized in our country for any time this year, and has gained the recognition of the business community since it started in Greece in 2006.
This year’s event will be held at a critical time for our country. Our desire is to mention those entrepreneurs who can set standards for all of us, inspire and guide us, as Greece takes the next big step forward.
* Mr. Panagiotis Papazoglou is the CEO of EY Greece