On February 4th, the West End Hotel in Nice hosted The Executive Morning Briefing, a meeting dedicated to corporate finance and management issues. Moderated by Marc Chakhtoura, the event brought together experts and business leaders to discuss current challenges related to financing, growth, and business organization.
Eight professionals from various fields were present to share their knowledge:
- Marielle Walicki (WABG Avocats et Associés): Lawyer specializing in business law.
- Nathalie Thomas (SCP Ezavin Thomas): Court-appointed administrator.
- Thomas Lobry (SCP Poulpiquet & Associés): Partner notary.
- Dominique Dazza (RYDGE Conseil): Chartered accountant and financial consultant.
- Marc Chakhtoura (DISTINKT): Professional coach.
- Philippe Billard (Banque de France): Departmental Director for the Alpes-Maritimes.
- Frédéric Delabrouille (Groupe Cavallari): General President in the automotive sector.
- Sophie Leray (Initiative Nice Côte d’Azur): Director of an organization supporting entrepreneurs in their development projects.
Their presentations addressed several practical and strategic aspects of business management.
Economic challenges: a contrasting context
Philippe Billard, from the Banque de France, opened the discussion with an overview of the economic situation. Despite successive crises—from the Covid-19 pandemic to inflation and the energy crisis—he noted some encouraging developments for the French economy:
- Controlled inflation: in 2024, it stood at less than 2%, aligned with European targets.
- Lower interest rates: this paves the way for better credit conditions for businesses and individuals.
- Moderate economic recovery: growth of 1.1% in 2024, although this figure remains lower than that of other European countries.
The presentation also emphasized the importance of economic confidence, whether to stimulate consumption or encourage business investment.
Adapting to grow: 5 key factors according to Frédéric Delabrouille
Frédéric Delabrouille, President of Groupe Cavallari, shared his experience by detailing five essential pillars for supporting business growth in a competitive environment:
- Agility: Knowing how to adapt quickly to market changes, particularly in the context of CO2 emissions regulations in the automotive industry.
- Digital transformation: implementing tools to improve internal processes and better manage the business.
- Customer relations: maintaining a strong connection with customers to ensure their loyalty.
- Engaging teams: empowering employees through motivation mechanisms, such as variable compensation based on qualitative and quantitative objectives.
- Continuous training of employees to meet the needs of a changing sector, particularly with the arrival of electric vehicles.
These elements enabled the group to maintain growth momentum in an otherwise difficult context for the sector.
Financing: opportunities and challenges
Financing remains a central issue for businesses, especially those in the growth phase. Nathalie Thomas and Dominique Dazza highlighted two critical aspects:
- Cash flow management: poorly controlled, it can quickly put a business in difficulty, especially during periods of rapid growth.
- Access to financing: although interest rates are falling, businesses must convince their financial partners of their viability.
Philippe Billard reminded attendees that the Banque de France offers services to support business leaders, particularly through the SME correspondent, who helps entrepreneurs identify suitable financing mechanisms free of charge.
Innovation: a lever to exploit
The discussions also addressed innovation in various forms. The use of artificial intelligence as a tool to better understand and anticipate customer needs was mentioned. This will likely be the theme of a future morning briefing.
Frédéric Delabrouille, for his part, broadened the notion of innovation beyond technology, emphasizing managerial and organizational approaches: “Innovation also consists of rethinking internal processes and how we respond to customer expectations.”
The importance of comprehensive support
Several speakers emphasized the need for business leaders to surround themselves with a network of experts. Marielle Walicki and Thomas Lobry highlighted the importance of securing personal and professional assets, particularly when creating or transforming a business.
For his part, Marc Chakhtoura emphasized the role of coaches and consultants in helping leaders step back and structure their strategic priorities.
One of the highlights of this Morning Briefing was demonstrating the importance of collaboration between different professionals—lawyers, notaries, chartered accountants, and bankers—to meet entrepreneurs’ needs. Nathalie Thomas reminded attendees that: “Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires alignment of expertise to ensure sustainable development.”
Philippe Billard also encouraged leaders to use the Banque de France’s free services before difficulties arise, reminding them that: “Prevention is better than cure.”
A constructive morning
The Executive Morning Briefing brought together varied and complementary perspectives on the current challenges facing businesses. The discussions offered concrete insights on cash flow management, access to financing, and ways to ensure sustainable growth.
By late morning, a consensus emerged on the importance of confidence, adaptability, and collaboration in overcoming economic obstacles. Participants left with tools and ideas to better approach the future of their businesses in a constantly evolving environment.
