29 have experienced difficulties in access to financing

3 200 heads of enterprises in 8 European countries were interviewed by OpinionWay at the request of KPMG on their responses to the crisis. Despite the crisis, 61 of respondents consider the performance of their business over the last 12 months rather good or very good, especially in the United Kingdom (74), Belgium (67) and Spain (66), compared France (59) and Germany (49) were less positive. A result however surprising when you consider for example the hardness of the crisis in Spain

The main difficulties Decrease in net sales, rising costs, loss of customers

Thus, the main challenge of SMEs was to cope with the decline in turnover (47), especially Germany (55), Denmark (57), Italy (51) and France (51), but slightly less in Spain (39). Cost increases were EBIT impacted one third of SMEs in Europe and 31 in France. They have been particularly felt United Kingdom (43), and relatively little to Denmark (23). One-third of SMEs suffered the loss of clients or major suppliers. Germany and the United Kingdom, this phenomenon is concerned that a quarter of interviewed leaders, against 35 in France. 29 have experienced difficulties in access to financing. The France and the Spain are the most affected countries by this difficulty (cited by respectively 35 and 34 of leaders). Finally, the crisis slowed activity in the export of 43 of European SMEs. With 58 of SMEs affected by this phenomenon, the France is the most affected country in Europe, and nearly two times more than in Germany (32) and United Kingdom (32).

With these difficulties, what were the actions carried out by SMEs

62 of SMEs have led a strategy to reduce costs and internal reorganization, especially Italy (75), 47 in Germany and 57 in France. 43 have implemented an aggressive sales strategy (lower prices, commercial actions). The Italy is the most offensive in terms of business strategy (56), France (40) and Germany (41) being the least in Europe. To deal with the problems of access to finance, 27 have renegotiated their banking conditions (35 in France) and 22 have sought new ways of funding (32 in Spain). Finally, a quarter of European SMEs has sought opportunities internationally, like the German SMEs (37)... but they were only 19 in France to choose this option to rebooster their activity!

And the future

For a more stable future and growth prospects, what are the preferred options of SMEs European SMEs lip projects for restructuring or internal optimization (65). These are 79 of the SMEs, in Italy and 69 in France SMEs in Spain being less active on this type of projects (56). 36 plan to develop new markets abroad. The United Kingdom and the Denmark are the more offensive countries (respectively 43 and 40 for SMEs). In France, 37 of leaders share the project, compared to 31 for the Germany. The launches of new products or services are also cited by more than half of the leaders of SMEs (55), and even 65 of SMEs in Italy and Ireland, 52 in France. In France, 71 of companies reported to want to maintain their strength. In contrast, only 11 of French SMEs want to recruit against 22 in Europe (and 23 in Germany). There is finally a real optimism about the out of the crisis. 84 of SMEs in Europe in fact anticipate an out of the crisis by 2011. The most optimistic country considering a resumption this year are Italy (61) and France (59). The Coué method