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ENTREVISTA / INTERVIEW
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OUT./DEZ. | 62
PL: At a time when companies are trying to restart business, what are the biggest challenges after the pandemic?
MV: We try to recover orders and customers daily, in order to minimize the impact of the confinement and the loss we had during that same period. We also defined new strategies to attract new national and international customers.
PL: What does a businessperson feel when a situation like this arises, totally unexpected, irresolute and indefinitely?
MV: At the beginning of the confinement I was very apprehensive, there were some expectations on my part in relation to the support that the Portuguese State would give to companies and that would be an asset for me and for all entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, after presenting the
supports and conditions, I realized
that we would not be covered by
them. This whole situation made
me very worried. The company
was going through a less good
phase and culminating with that,
a pandemic appears that would
stop the country and the world.
PL: What kind of support would you like to have from our Government at this phase?
MV: Most companies, but mainly micro, small and medium-sized companies, were very affected in terms of capital. I think that the best support that the Government could provide would be a set of more complete strategies in terms of conditions. In other words, for a company to be able to balance its accounts and not fail with suppliers, the State should activate a payment or moratorium plan for all taxes and monthly payments. This option would be an asset for all companies. But I must also mention that layoff's conditions were not very plausible, because in the first month it would be very difficult to present a 40% reduction in sales. Unless doors were closed and all commitments and parcel deliveries were pending.
PL: How do you describe the work developed by the Association over more than 20 years?
MV: They have done an excellent job over the years, the proactivity and interaction with the company Vicente & Vicente has been an example of what is intended by
an Association as a whole. I cannot
fail to mention the excellent
executive body, always ready
to help, always informed and
informing its members and
always revitalizing the
institution.
"... layoff's conditions were not very plausible, because in the first month it would be very difficult to present a 40% reduction in sales."